10 innovative startups will compete in the final round of the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2025 programme. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HÀ NỘI — Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, has announced the list of 10 startups to compete in the final round of Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2025 (QVIC) programme.

These ten startup teams, specialising in technology areas such as smart cities, robotics, automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), AgriTech, AI, data analytics, and others, will receive a grant of US$10,000 each in cash prizes to further develop their proposals during the six-month incubation period.

They were selected based on various criteria, including their technical capabilities, innovative products, patentable technologies, and relevance to Việt Nam's digital transformation and Industry 4.0.

During the incubation period, the shortlisted companies will receive support, including business and technical guidance, access to Qualcomm Việt Nam's R&D lab in Hà Nội, and problem-solving assistance from local teams.

Launched in December 2019, the QVIC aims to identify and nurture innovative startups in promising technology areas in Việt Nam. With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the programme aims to foster the development of the country's growing technology ecosystem by identifying and nurturing innovative small- and medium-sized companies that are designing products in areas such as 5G, IoT, AI, smart cities, wearable devices, and multimedia utilising mobile platforms and technologies from Qualcomm.

"Việt Nam is a critical region for cultivating innovative talent, and startups and SMEs play a vital role in driving Việt Nam's digital transformation and economic growth," said Thiều Phương Nam, senior director, Business Development, Qualcomm Vietnam Company Limited.

"With the start of the 2025 Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge programme, we are excited to support and nurture these promising companies as they develop groundbreaking solutions in areas such as smart cities, robotics, and IoT. We look forward to witnessing the impact of these startups in shaping Việt Nam's technological landscape and contributing to its continued success,” he said.

The finale of the challenge will be held in August 2025 and three winning teams will receive a total cash prize of $225,000. — VNS