HÀ NỘI — The formal session of the third International Startup Conference and Exhibition, or SURF 2018, officially opened on Friday in the central city of Đà Nẵng.

SURF 2018, under the theme ‘Start-up capitals’, attracted more than 2,000 attendees including central and provincial leaders, international investment funds, private investors and individuals, start-up businesses, and representatives from universities in Đà Nẵng, Huế, Quảng Nam, Bình Định, Hà Nội, HCM City and other provinces.

The event also drew the participation of over 40 speakers, including domestic and international start-up professionals who shared their experiences. The content and discussion focused on how to use, optimise and link funds in the journey to start a business. Startup Capitals, with its five key sources of capital for start-ups, include financial capital, technology, human capital, local capital, and social capital.

Võ Duy Khương, chairman of Đà Nẵng Entrepreneurship Support Co Ltd (DNES), said start-ups, innovation and creativity are the driving forces for socio-economic development in the future. Đà Nẵng aims to become a start-up destination and a centre for innovation in Southeast Asia by 2030.

Under the framework of the event, the finale of the Pitching Competition is also being held with seven projects vying for the top prize: Camera 360, BGift, Ikkai Inc, TOB, EduSi, Xedike and Phở Sắn. These projects have surpassed 20 other competitors in previous rounds towards a prize worth a total of VNĐ200 million (US$8,733) plus a startup training course in Israel. Moreover, the winner will have the opportunity to call for capital from angel investors and venture capital funds. — VNS