Dong Nai steps up policies to support innovative businesses

In recent years, Dong Nai has intensified efforts to incubate startups, support the commercialization of products, and organize innovation-driven startup competitions, Techfest events, and science and technology festivals, helping to spread the spirit of innovative entrepreneurship  across the community.

Vo Hoang Khai (left), Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province, experiences digital technology and innovative products at the Techfest Dong Nai 2025 event. Photo: Hai Quan

The province also focuses on building infrastructure and a favorable environment for innovation, such as: orienting the formation of an innovation zone, establishing an innovation and digital transformation center, developing co-working spaces, and strengthening the "State - school - enterprise - investor" linkage.

Developing innovative startup activities

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), the province's startup ecosystem has made positive progress. The entire province has about 88 innovative startup businesses, along with centers with innovation and innovative startup activities, innovative startups, as well as clubs and a growing support network.

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of DoST, shared: In recent times, the province's science and technology sector has proactively advised on a number of policies to support startup businesses and promote innovation in the area. The focus is on developing an innovation and startup ecosystem through activities such as: training, capacity improvement, building a team of advisors, connecting businesses with investors, institutes - schools, and support organizations.

Policies and programs have gradually created a favorable environment, contributing to the formation of an innovation culture in the business community. In the coming time, the science and technology sector will continue to improve mechanisms, strengthen support for incubation, technology transfer, and investment connection to promote strong development of innovative startups, contributing to the local sustainable economic growth.

Businesses introduce digital technology and innovative products at the Techfest Dong Nai 2025 event. Photo: Hai Quan

Dong Nai has established and launched the Science and Technology Development Fund, focusing on developing high-quality human resources and a network of experts and advisors, directly supporting innovative startups.

Abraham Nguyen Quang Huy, Vice Chairman of the National Startup Association, Chairman of 9S UNION (Global Economic Union), commented: Dong Nai has taken timely and correct steps by establishing the Science and Technology Development Fund. According to the announced orientation, the fund has the function of receiving, managing, using capital, and providing loans to projects applying science and technology research results to production and life to serve the province's socio-economic development. If operated well, this will be an important tool to generate capital to promote local innovation activities.

Linking administrative procedure reform with innovation activities

According to Vo Hoang Khai, currently, Dong Nai's science and technology sector has promoted digitalization and integrated many administrative procedures related to supporting innovative startups onto the National Public Service Portal and the VNeID application.

Specifically, procedures such as: science and technology task registration, innovation support proposals, intellectual property development support, etc., have been provided online, allowing businesses to submit applications and receive results entirely in the digital environment. This implementation brings many clear benefits. First, it helps businesses save time and costs, without the need for much travel, and can perform procedures anytime, anywhere.

In early April 2026, the Government issued Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP promulgating the national strategy on innovative startups. In addition, the Government issued Decision No. 604/QD-TTg, dated April 2, 2026, approving the adjustment and supplementation of the science-technology and innovation development strategy until 2030. Accordingly, the development of science-technology and innovation must be closely linked with socio-economic development and the modernization of national governance; taking enterprises as the center of the innovation system...

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of DoST, emphasized: In the coming time, the department will continue to closely coordinate with departments, agencies, and localities to improve the efficiency of implementing administrative procedures and policies supporting innovative startups in a synchronous, digitalized, and enterprise-centric manner. The focus in 2026 is to promote administrative procedure reform associated with digital transformation, complete electronic processes, comprehensively integrate all procedures onto digital platforms, ensuring quick, transparent, and convenient resolution for businesses.

DoST will also focus on specific solutions to improve mechanisms and policies to support innovative startups, especially policies to support businesses involved in digital transformation and applying new technologies; strengthen inter-agency coordination, shorten processing times for dossiers, and reduce intermediate procedures...

Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Center for Promotion of Science and Technology Market Development, (the Department of Innovation, under the Ministry of Science and Technology), shared: To develop the science and technology market in a modern, efficient, and sustainable direction, localities, including Dong Nai province, need to focus on synchronously implementing many groups of solutions. First, it is necessary to invest in developing infrastructure and data platforms for the technology market, building and connecting local database systems with national database systems on technology supply and demand, experts, and intermediary organizations. In parallel, localities need to improve financial and investment mechanisms, effectively operate funds for science and technology development and provincial-level innovation funds; organize support and encourage businesses to form and use funds, thereby promoting businesses to research, apply, and transfer technology...

By Hai Quan – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha