Promoting innovation-driven entrepreneurship among young people

Under the influence of technology and new business models, innovation-driven startups are not only a trend but also an important driving force of socio-economic development. With their flexibility, responsiveness to new ideas, and desire for self-affirmation, young people are considered a central force in this wave of entrepreneurship.

For this reason, in recent times, Youth Union and Association organizations across the province have carried out numerous activities to enhance knowledge and support Youth Union members and young people in innovation-driven entrepreneurship, helping them better understand the startup landscape and proactively participate.

Inspiring and motivating entrepreneurship

Nguyen Minh Kien, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, and Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, stated that since the beginning of 2025, the Provincial Youth Union has organized a series of programs and activities related to innovation-driven startups. These include training conferences on e-commerce knowledge and practical skills; entrepreneurship and small-to-medium enterprise management knowledge for young enterprises in Dong Nai; and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) within the youth startup community.

Nguyen Minh Kien (far left), Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, and Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, visits the startup product booths of young people at the Dong Nai Youth Festival. Photo: Nga Son

Through these programs and activities, the Provincial Youth Union provides youth union members with essential knowledge of e-commerce, the digital economy, and emerging technological trends shaping production, business, and consumption in modern society. In addition, they learn methods for developing modern business models and the benefits that AI can bring to enterprises.

Alongside training activities on transferring scientific and technological advances in agricultural production and the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) program, Youth Union and Association organizations provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to share their startup journeys. At the ILOKA FOOD Talkshow – “Technology Breakthroughs by Young People,” held during the Innovation-Driven and Digital Transformation Youth Festival in early October 2025, Youth Union members across the province had the opportunity to hear the startup stories of the founders and collaborators of ILOKA Technology Joint Stock Company.

Tran Le Bao Long, a Youth Union member from Tran Bien ward, shared that ILOKA FOOD is a food delivery app created by young people who left the city to return to their hometowns during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their startup journey was full of challenges, but today they have reaped "sweet fruits". This has given him the belief that with courage, knowledge, entrepreneurial ambition, and perseverance, any obstacle can be overcome.

The young founders of ILOKA Technology Joint Stock Company share their startup stories at the Innovation-Driven and Digital Transformation Youth Festival. Photo: Nga Son

In addition, to recognize the efforts and contributions of individuals in entrepreneurship and career-building, and to spread the examples of young entrepreneurs among young people, the Provincial Youth Union and the provincial Vietnam Youth Federation annually honor individuals who achieve outstanding achievements in production and business.

A variety of activities held to accompany Youth Union members

Going beyond inspiring and motivating youth and providing them with entrepreneurship knowledge and skills, Youth Union and Association organizations also play a supportive role, accompanying Youth Union members in their startup and career-building journeys.

According to Nguyen Minh Kien, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, the Provincial Youth Union has collaborated with the provincial Vietnam Youth Federation and the provincial Students’ Association to proactively develop the online platform Dong Nai Youth Innovation-Driven Startup Ecosystem (https://khoinghiep.tinhdoandongnai.com). The platform’s sections provide Youth Union members with information on policies, youth startup support programs, innovation-driven entrepreneurship skills and knowledge, featured startup model experiences, and online consultation on legal, technical, and financial matters. Additionally, the platform offers a space for connecting enterprises, investors, and startup support funds, enabling Youth Union members to quickly access resources, knowledge, and collaboration opportunities in entrepreneurship and career-building.

Delegates present certificates of merit from the Provincial Youth Union to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in production and business. Photo: Nga Son

Every year, the Provincial Youth Union consistently organizes the Creative Rural Youth Startup Program, creating opportunities for Youth Union members to visit typical start-up products of rural youth; for rural young people to showcase agricultural products applying high technology, OCOP products, and circular economy models developed and operated by young entrepreneurs. At the same time, the program hosts conferences connecting investment funds with startup projects.

As one of the participants in the investment fund connection conference for startup projects, held recently within the Dong Nai Youth Festival in Binh Phuoc ward, Tran Xuan Ngoc, Director of Bu Dop Pure Coffee Cooperative (Tan Tien commune), shared that he had the opportunity to present his business model, development plan, and fundraising strategy to investment funds and supporting enterprises. He also highlighted that the festival provided valuable feedback and strategic orientations from entrepreneurship experts, helping him refine his business model, product development plan, and brand-building strategy.

In addition, through the Mentor Meeting Program - where experts provide advisory support to the provincial startup community, the Provincial Youth Union, in coordination with the Dong Nai Employment Service Center, organized 18 job fairs, introducing employment opportunities to tens of thousands of Youth Union members (from the beginning of 2025 to November 21, 2025).

To further encourage and support rural Youth Union members in accessing preferential capital to boost production and business, gradually escape poverty, and achieve legitimate wealth, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee collaborated with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, the CEP Credit Fund, and the Provincial Entrepreneurs for Security Fund to provide loans and startup support for Youth Union members in general, including rehabilitated youth, enabling them to build careers, start businesses, and achieve legitimate prosperity.

Innovation-driven entrepreneurship is a long journey that requires young people to possess courage, knowledge, and perseverance. Along this journey, the companionship of Youth Union and Association organizations helps strengthen confidence, provide motivation, and nurture ideas, enabling young people to turn their startup dreams into reality and become positive contributors to the socio-economic development of their localities and the country.

By Nga Son – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha