(19 February 2023)

Sunwah – The Final Pitching and Closing Ceremony of Youth Digital Citizen Challenge (YDCC) 2022 with the topic “Developing technology products, services and communication initiatives to promote sustainable Vietnam startup ecosystem” was successfully held at ULIS-Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centre, Vietnam National University (Hanoi). The Challenge is organized by Youth Co:lab (co-initiated by UNDP and Citi Foundation) and National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development, Ministry of Science and Technology, implemented by Sunwah Innovations under Sunwah Group (Hong Kong). Mr Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam; Mr Le Toan Thang, Deputy Director of National Startup Support Center, Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr Vu Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of Science and Technology Department, Vietnam National University. Ms Janice Le, Representative of Sunwah Group, Hanoi Office, together with investors, startups, mentors and nearly 100 guests attended this event.

In his opening remarks, Mr Patrick Haverman – Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam shared: ”We truly believe that the youth of Vietnam have the skills, knowledge, innovation, and devotion to supporting local governments in the national digital transformation process as well as in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNDP is committed to supporting an inclusive and people-centered digital journey and engaging young people in the design of better digital solutions and services”.

Mr Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam speaking at the Opening Ceremony

As a representative of the Organizer, Mr Le Toan Thang, Deputy Director of National Startup Support Center (NSSC), expressed that as a focal point to deploy national startup and innovation activities, the Ministry of Science and Technology always welcomes and encourages startups and innovation initiatives for incubation and acceleration to support the general development of Vietnam’s startup ecosystem.

Mr Le Toan Thang, Deputy Director of National Startup Support Center (NSSC), Ministry of Science and Technology

Youth Digital Citizen Challenge 2022 aims to raise awareness, improve youth ability and participation in digital transformation for e-governance public services as well as accelerate collaboration between stakeholders to actualize youth’s innovative solutions. Officially launched on 06 December 2022, the contest has received over 200 applications from young people aged 18-30 from provinces across Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, etc. as well as overseas students from the United States and South Korea. After the selection round, 11 teams with the best ideas were selected to participate in the Training Round – Bootcamp, Hackathon Round and Finale. During the training process, all 11 teams have received a lot of guidance and experience sharing from experts, investors and young entrepreneurs.

Top 11 teams pitch their ideas in the Finale

Top three teams with excellent, innovative, and feasible ideas based on the competition’s criteria were announced at the finale. The first prize belongs to ARGI-EDTECH – Experiential Education Program and Incubation for young entrepreneurs on Agritech. The second and third prizes belong to team 2LTS with AI Camera – a solution for crowd management, and E-UP (Crosswave Team) – Education platform to facilitate the growth of scientific and technological start-up talents. The winning teams will receive a total prize value of more than 50 million VND and the opportunity to participate in the incubation programs of the Youth Co:lab (co-created by UNDP and the Citi Foundation) and Sunwah Innovations in 2023.

Ms Janice Le, Representative of Sunwah Group, Hanoi Office awarded the second prize for 2LTS team

Top 11 teams take photos with mentors and Jury Board