Building a team of mentors for start-up activities

Building and developing a start-up and innovation ecosystem is an area that Dong Nai has actively promoted in recent years. The province has prioritized a range of support policies for startup enterprises, aiming to foster a new business community and effectively harness local potential and advantages for development.

Trainees participate in the training course for core lecturers and specialized mentors on innovation startups, organized by Business Forum Magazine in coordination with VSMA, Lac Hong University, and the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology.

One of the key tasks in building Dong Nai’s startup ecosystem is bringing together, connecting, and training local lecturers and startup mentors.

Inspiring figure for start-up activities

Nguyen Tien Trung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Startup Mentors Alliance (VSMA), said that in recent years, the concept and role of startup mentors have only just begun to be integrated into the startup ecosystem. In reality, startups still have not fully recognized the role of startup mentors. As a result, they have yet to take the initiative in seeking a mentor to guide and support them. On the other hand, numerous entrepreneurs are willing to serve as mentors, and, in fact, already possess the qualities of professional mentors. However, they have not fully recognized the true significance of a mentor’s role, often confusing mentoring with consulting. The ideal startup mentor is an experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record of success in the business world. Entrepreneurs and experts at universities, in their roles as coaches, help share experience, inspire founders, and shape the right vision for emerging start-up ideas.

“VSMA is ready to support Dong Nai as well as other localities in training, coaching, and connecting innovation resources, aiming to build a contingent of nationally standardized mentors, contributing to enhancing the innovation capacity and competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses in the integration era,” Trung shared.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Tan, Chairman of the Innovation and Startup Advisory Council of Dong Nai province and Head of the International Business Department, Faculty of Administration and International Economics, Lac Hong University, in the province’s startup and innovation ecosystem, the core lecturers and specialized mentors are the “seed sowers” for innovation and startup initiatives.

Startup mentors are individuals who inspire, guide, and support early-stage ideas, thereby helping them mature, gain validation, and enter the real-world market.

Dr. NGUYEN VAN TAN, Chairman of the Innovation and Startup Advisory Council of Dong Nai province

To ensure sustainable startup development and foster a dynamic, creative environment, Dong Nai needs more networking activities, as well as additional forums and platforms for entrepreneurship. According to experts, it is crucial to create conditions to nurture and incubate innovative startup ideas, especially in the province’s key sectors.

Connecting multiple training activities in the startup ecosystem

In recent years, Dong Nai has continuously strived to build a startup and innovation ecosystem. The province has organized training programs, seminars, Techfests, and various activities supporting businesses, cooperatives, and OCOP entities in applying technology, building brands, and registering intellectual property.

With the dynamic startup activities of the past few years, especially in 2023, the former Dong Nai province was recognized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) as a typical locality for building a startup ecosystem, alongside Da Nang and the former Bac Giang province.

The Department of Science and Technology has been assigned as the standing agency for implementing the startup and innovation program in the locality. One of its key tasks is to build a contingent and connect the members in the province's startup advisory council.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai emphasized that core lecturers and specialized mentors play a crucial role in the province’s startup and innovation ecosystem. Over the past years, Dong Nai has continuously strived to build its startup and innovation ecosystem, including organizing training programs, seminars, and various activities to support businesses and cooperatives in applying technology, building brands, and registering intellectual property.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Lam Thanh Hien, Rector of Lac Hong University, stated that over the past few years, Lac Hong University has consistently taken the lead in promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among its students. The school strives to build a comprehensive startup ecosystem, closely linking education, research, and business. It also organizes numerous competitions, training courses, and idea incubation programs, helping to develop a dynamic and creative student body ready to seize entrepreneurial opportunities in the digital age.

From the business community, Nguyen Duy Khuong, Vice President of the Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Association, affirmed that the association is always ready to support local startup programs, especially those led by departments, agencies, and universities aimed at incubating and developing startup projects in the province. This support can take the form of mentorship activities, business networking, establishing a mechanism for “ordering” innovative ideas, and assisting in the realization of promising projects. Building connections between a team of mentors, comprising successful business owners, startup projects, and entrepreneurs, is also viewed as a long-term solution to harness the strength of the young business community in nurturing a creative and high-quality workforce for the province.

By Vuong The - Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho