Innovating for a bright future

A playground for startups

To contribute to the implementation of the young creativity movement; promote and support innovative startups of young people; build the startup spirit; provide knowledge about startup; search for and honor creative ideas and startups in young people, in the period of 2018-2023, the Provincial Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Union in the province coordinated with the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association, the Department of Science and Technology and other units to organize 4 creative startup competitions in Long An province. After 4 successful organizations, the competition received 685 entries, 34 of which won prizes in the final round.

In 2024, the Provincial Youth Union organized the 5th innovative startup competition in Long An province. Since its launch, the information and propaganda work about the competition has been widely disseminated by the Standing Committees of District, Town, City Youth Unions and affiliated Youth Unions on social networks. The contest attracted the attention and active participation of many union members and young people in the province with 203 ideas and projects registered, including 82 projects and 121 ideas registered in the fields of agriculture, industry, services, science and technology.

In particular, there were many ideas and projects in the field of agriculture registered by young people that commercialize products, apply high technology in production and business activities, make the most of local strengths, focus on development associated with improving agricultural products and creating a new direction for the province's agricultural sector.

A typical example is the Organic Dragon Fruit Flower Tea Project by the group of Ho Quy Trong - Nguyen Thi My Dung (Chau Thanh district). The project originated from the desire to take advantage of the local raw materials to bring good products to consumers; at the same time, limit the use of pesticides on dragon fruit trees. Accordingly, the group proactively signed contracts to purchase dragon fruit flowers from gardeners who do not use pesticides to produce organic dragon fruit flower tea.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung shared: “This type of tea is herbal, not only delicious but also brings many health benefits, with a gentle, cool aroma and sweet taste, containing many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, helping to increase resistance, support digestion. In particular, it contributes to protecting the environment, changing farmers' habits of using pesticides”.

Jury of the competition surveying organic dragon fruit flower tea products by the group of Ho Quy Trong - Nguyen Thi My Dung (Chau Thanh district

At the 5th Long An province's innovative startup competition, the Organic Dragon Fruit Flower Tea Project won the Encouragement Prize. After the competition, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee supported the project to participate in a training course on necessary skills, knowledge, thinking, and business foundation to help perfect the product and expand the market; supported connections with the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association; the provincial branch of the Social Policy Bank slso supported capital and output sponsorship for the product.

Surveying organic dragon fruit flower drying kiln

Also starting from the idea of ​​utilizing agricultural products, Mr. Phung Tan Dat - an enthusiastic Youth Union officer of Thanh Hoa district, used available raw materials to process into sweet and sour pickled pineapple root dish with a strong flavor and aroma of the Western region.

Pineapple root has a light, sweet aftertaste, and a distinctive flavor. Pineapple root contains many minerals, fiber, and especially bromelain, which helps aid digestion, softens hard-to-digest foods, and helps heal wounds.

The product of Pickled Pineapple Root by Mr. Phung Tan Dat (Thanh Hoa district) won the Encouragement Prize in the 5th Innovative Startup Competition in 2024

Mr. Phung Tan Dat said: “The Pickled Pineapple Root project won the Encouragement Prize in the 2024 innovative startup. After the competition, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee supported my project to participate in training courses to perfect the product, plan effective business strategies, and have a sustainable development roadmap”.

Contributing to creating the future

In the vivid picture of supporting startups, it can be affirmed that the innovative startup Competition is a special highlight. Through the competition, many ideas and models have become reality with the attention and support of agencies, departments, branches, professional consultants, dedicated businesses, projects, and models that have gradually been perfected, gradually finding a foothold in the market and becoming an inspiration to foster and promote the spirit of innovation, daring to think, daring to do, daring to overcome challenges to succeed of the province's youth. Over the years, most of the products that won high prizes have received attention and financial investment support from the State and businesses. Thereby, helping young people have more conditions to expand their production and business scale, promoting their passion for self-employment and startup.

The Jury of the Innovative Startup Competition awards consolation prizes to the authors

According to the Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union - Tran Hai Phu, in general, the ideas and projects in the competition have high quality, potential and creativity, the contestants all have passion, love and desire to contribute to the development of the province in general and the locality in particular.

However, most of the ideas of students have not been developed into business products and services; at the same time, they still have to focus on their main task of studying, so the time to research and invest in startup is not much and it is difficult to deploy and implement in practice.

“For the winning projects and ideas, the Organizing Committee of the competition will sign a contract to support the realization of innovative and creative startups and sign a contract to support the promotion and connection between agencies, businesses and  innovative and creative projects, creating conditions for the projects to be completed after the competition” - Mr. Tran Hai Phu added./.

By Bui Tung - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/doi-moi-sang-tao-kien-tao-tuong-lai-a191065.html