Da Nang speeds up venture capital, sustainable startup ecosystem
DNO - Da Nang is on track to position itself as an attractive destination for venture capital investment.
Experts and investment funds highlight three key priorities: understanding investor “preferences,” attracting top talent, creating “big enough” opportunities for corporate participation, and strengthening the city’s startup ecosystem.
Decree No. 264/2025/ND-CP, effective from October 14, 2025, marks a turning point for venture capital in Vietnam.
The decree facilitates the establishment of national and local venture capital funds, supporting high-tech, digital, green and circular economy startups, while creating mechanisms for the state to channel private capital into promising entrepreneurial projects.
Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program in Da Nang, emphasizes that the Decree marks a shift from capital preservation to controlled risk-taking, providing a legal foundation for market-driven venture capital funds.
To make it effective, localities must focus on three pillars: attracting top talent, presenting “big enough” challenges, and fostering ecosystem connectivity.
Key challenges include tourism payments, port logistics, urban data, AI in public services, and renewable energy.
Corporations can serve as initial customers and co-sponsors, while sandboxes, high-skilled visas, and international advisory networks ensure quality projects attract sustainable investment.
Ms. Huynh Thi Cam Huong, representing the FUNDGO Innovation Fund, emphasizes that successful investment depends on investor preferences, the quality of human capital, and alignment with ESG standards and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Startups are expected not only to generate profits but also to contribute positively to local development.
According to Pham Hong Quat of the Department of Startup and Technology Enterprises under the Ministry of Science and Technology, building a comprehensive database on startup “health” and fund preferences is underway, enabling incubators, funds, enterprises, and regulators to coordinate efficiently.
A strong startup ecosystem cannot rely solely on the public sector; active participation from private incubators, enterprises, and investment funds is equally crucial. As the ecosystem expands, competition intensifies with the entry of foreign investors and venture funds.
“The key is to turn competitors into partners. A unified framework and ecosystem connectivity are essential to ensure all players move in the same direction,” says Mr. Quoc.
Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong stresses that local funds are effective only within a complete ecosystem, including public and private funds, incubators, venture builders, angel investor networks, and large enterprises.
The Decree opens a new door, but crossing it depends on how localities transform capital into measurable, scalable, and sustainable innovation capacity.
Da Nang has a major opportunity to become a pioneering hub if policy, talent, businesses, and investors are integrated into a cohesive ecosystem.