This acceleration not only reflects the dynamic development speed of the local startup ecosystem, but also poses an urgent need for a breakthrough strategy so that Da Nang can reach further on the global innovation map.
The push to create momentum
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, manager of the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program Vietnam (Switzerland) in Da Nang, in StartupBlink's GSEI ranking, the three main factors used to evaluate and rank a startup ecosystem include: quantity, quality and business environment.
These factors are used to measure the scale and density of startup activities in a locality; assess the quality and influence of the elements in the ecosystem; and measure the convenience of the legal environment, infrastructure and policies for startups.
The city’s 130-place jump from the 2024 ranking clearly reflects the growth rate of startups, the increasing number of meetups thanks to tax-free support policies and spaces such as Da Nang Software Park No. 2. However, Da Nang needs to make more efforts to shorten the gap with the group of 500 leading cities in the world , especially improving in indicators such as the number of unicorn startups, the number of international companies’ research and development (R&D) centers and the English Proficiency Index (EPI).
Meanwhile, Aaron Everhart, Director of Draper Startup House (DSH) Vietnam, part of the startup ecosystem of Draper Venture Capital Fund, commented that Da Nang is possessing a vibrant ecosystem with many new technology startups. The rapid development of SaaS tools, low-code platforms, AI, blockchain... has helped shorten the distance from idea to experimental product.
These technologies make starting a business easier, more economical and more practical than ever. One of the key events that has contributed to the rise of Da Nang is the Da Nang Investment and Startup Forum - DAVAS 2025. This is a meeting place for founders, investors, advisors, support organizations and businesses. According to Mr. Aaron, the successful organization of the event over the past two years shows that Da Nang has been creating opportunities to strengthen the connection between businesses (from multinational corporations to SMEs) with the innovation ecosystem (incubators, Draper Startup House, Kilsa Global...).
In particular, the launch of innovation spaces with prominent countries and territories in the global startup ecosystem in the city marks a breakthrough development, playing a key role in creating a breakthrough momentum for the ecosystem of Da Nang. Within the framework of the recent DAVAS 2025, the city launched the Greater Bay Area Innovation Center.
Ms. Tran Hanh Trang, CEO and founder of Enosta Group, said that this is a strategic step to connect Da Nang's startup ecosystem with the region's leading technology and financial centers such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau (China). These spaces will become essential platforms for local startups to access international markets, financial resources, advanced technology and high-quality experts. This is also an ideal space to incubate ideas, share knowledge and promote investment cooperation between Da Nang and other localities and vice versa.
According to the Danang Center for Supporting Innovative Startups (Department of Science and Technology), up to now, the city has issued nearly 30 policies to support science, technology and innovative startups, including outstanding, breakthrough and unprecedented policies such as: controlled testing of new technological solutions; tax exemption for innovative startup activities; support for the use of scientific and technological infrastructure assets; support for information infrastructure assets to develop the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors.
In addition, the city is implementing long-term strategic plans such as establishing a Free Trade Zone, building an International Financial Center, etc., which promise to create momentum for Da Nang to make a breakthrough, creating a favorable business environment, attracting domestic and foreign investment.
One of the notable points is the strong investment in startup infrastructure, including: Danang Innovation Startup Space plays a central role in connecting and supporting startup projects; Software Park No. 2, with a floor area of over 92,000m², designed to serve 6,000 employees, focusing on the semiconductor and AI industries; modern digital infrastructure with international submarine optical cables APG and SEMEWE 3; information and communication technology infrastructure meeting international standards...
Breakthrough to improve ranking
Mr. Aaron Everhart acknowledged that Da Nang is currently among the leading localities in innovation in Vietnam, with pioneering policies such as: "sandbox" testing model, technology zones and a series of specialized startup support centers for each industry and technology field...
“The city needs to build a challenge portal for businesses to raise real-world problems and startups to come up with suitable solutions to bridge the gap between ideas and market demand. Da Nang also needs to strengthen connections between startup support organizations such as incubators and startup support organizations with the business sector, from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises.
On the other hand, maintaining post-event support programs such as seminars, in-depth training on technology, business, soft skills and foreign languages, creates a solid foundation for startups to access capital and develop sustainably. With the support of international partners such as Draper Startup House and Kilsa Global, Da Nang has the opportunity to break through to become the leading startup center in Asia", Mr. Aaron Everhart expressed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, from the reality of the ecosystem, the city needs to focus on a group of comprehensive solutions revolving around three pillars: quantity - quality - business environment.
One of them is to increase the number of startups, attract 100-200 new startups from regional and international cities, through tax exemption policies, financial support; expand 20-30 co-working spaces, connect with organizations such as: Swiss EP, Center for Innovation and Startup Support (DISSC); organize 50-70 networking events each year to increase interaction density; focus on developing incubation programs by industry: AI, blockchain (blockchain technology), cross-border e-commerce, food technology, life sciences, creating a unique identity for the Da Nang ecosystem...
Da Nang's ecosystem needs to improve the quality of startups by training startups before major capital raising events through specialized acceleration programs, aiming for a total investment capital of 100 million USD in 3 years.
In addition, attracting international R&D centers such as Nvidia, Marvel, Soitec, FPT, Viettel to locate at Software Park No. 2; elevating DAVAS to a large-scale event, with over 1,000 participants, with the presence of experts and founders of global stature.
At the same time, it is necessary to improve the business environment by simplifying procedures; implementing start-up visas and visas for digital nomads, attracting international experts; improving digital infrastructure; increasing the English Proficiency Index through English training programs at 18 universities in the area.
“By choosing a pioneering technology strategic niche (digital economy - cross-border e-commerce, AI, blockchain, food technology, life sciences) and building the identity of “Central Innovation City”, along with the above proposals, Da Nang can increase its total GSEI score to 4.0 - 4.5, aiming for the global top 500 by 2030 and the top 10 in Asia in emerging technology”, said Mr. Chuong.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/da-nang-can-lam-gi-de-but-pha-tren-ban-do-khoi-nghiep-toan-cau-3264808.html
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