HÀ NỘI — A national forum on the role of universities in the national strategy for innovative start-ups and international cooperation was held in Hà Nội on May 15, in line with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW of December 22, 2024 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

The forum was jointly organised by the Việt Nam University and College Innovation and Start-up Network, the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) and the National Innovation Centre (NIC).

At the event, PTIT announced a plan to establish an innovative start-up investment fund named PFUND, while the Management Board of the Hồ Chí Minh City Agricultural Hi-Tech Park launched its 2026 hi-tech agriculture start-up competition for the Red River Delta region.

Mobilising private resources for start-ups

The PFUND plan marks an important milestone in PTIT’s strategy to develop an innovation ecosystem that closely links training, scientific research, technology transfer, businesses and capital markets. It is also a concrete step towards realising Resolution 57, which identifies universities as key hubs of the national innovation ecosystem.

Over the years, PTIT has gradually built an innovation ecosystem comprising strong research groups, technology labs, research and development activities, start-up support programmes, and a network of businesses and tech alumni. However, many ideas and research results still struggle to move from the experimental stage to commercialisation due to a lack of early-stage investment.

PFUND aims to fill this gap through an investment fund model tied to the university’s technology ecosystem. Beyond providing seed capital, the fund will connect start-ups with businesses, experts, investors and PTIT’s alumni community.

PFUND’s key advantage lies in its strong focus on information and communications technology (ICT) and strategic technologies aligned with PTIT’s training and research. The fund will prioritise start-ups developing core technologies and digital platforms in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, 5G/6G, the Internet of Things, information security, semiconductors, fintech and digital transformation.

A central goal of PFUND is to mobilise private resources from PTIT’s alumni, tech entrepreneurs and strategic partner businesses. As a result, the fund will not only provide investment but also connect start-ups with experienced experts, entrepreneurs and investors who can help them develop technology and expand into international markets.

Associate Professor Đặng Hoài Bắc, director of PTIT, said that as the initiator, sponsor and strategic guide of PFUND, the institute hoped to build a key financial component of its innovation and start-up ecosystem. The fund will help research results, technologies and creative ideas from lecturers, students and alumni gain access to investment, be commercialised and grow into technology companies capable of competing at home and abroad.

Nurturing promising start-ups

The 2026 innovative start-up competition in hi-tech agriculture for the Red River Delta region is an annual event organised by the Management Board of the Hồ Chí Minh City Agricultural Hi-Tech Park.

Themed “Circular agriculture – Building a green future”, this year’s competition aims to promote creative solutions for a modern, sustainable agricultural sector that keeps pace with global trends. It also serves as a bridge to strengthen development cooperation between HCM City and localities nationwide, seeking out, nurturing and honouring promising start-ups as part of the city’s goal of becoming a “start-up city” for young people.

The competition focuses on technology solutions across the entire agricultural value chain, from production, preservation and processing to smart management. Priority will be given to projects applying digital technology, automation, biotechnology and innovation to improve efficiency, cut emissions and save resources. The organisers encourage entries that already have a product or pilot model delivering economic, environmental and social value, contributing to green, circular and sustainable agriculture in Việt Nam.

The competition is open to start-ups, cooperatives, young people, university and college students and lecturers, research institutions, and organisations and individuals nationwide with ideas or technologies suited to hi-tech agriculture.

Registrations will be accepted until July 31, 2026. — VNS