Da Nang targets tech unicorn, aims for top 300 Global Startup Ecosystems by 2030
DNO - Da Nang is setting ambitious goals to strengthen its position on the global innovation map, with a clear focus on building a vibrant startup ecosystem and nurturing future technology champions.
The city aims not only to improve its rankings internationally, but also to lay the foundations for sustainable, innovation-driven growth.
According to Nguyen Viet Toan, the Director of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center, the city has identified a long-term vision to become an International Innovation Hub by 2030.
Central to this vision is the development of national-level centers for artificial intelligence (AI) and data, which are expected to serve as key engines for technological advancement and high-value economic activities.
By 2030, Da Nang targets a series of concrete milestones. These include having at least one local university ranked among the top 150 in Asia, placing the city’s startup ecosystem in the global top 300 and seeing the emergence of at least one technology “unicorn”.
The city also aims to attract US$300 million in new investment and commercialize 60% of its innovation products.
In the nearer term, 2026 is viewed as a critical acceleration phase, with goals of entering the global top 500 startup ecosystems and ranking among the top five localities nationwide in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII).
In greater efforts to achieve these above-mentioned objectives, Da Nang is prioritizing higher-quality incubation and acceleration programs, expanding international cooperation, and importantly, strengthening the role of businesses within the ecosystem.
Special heed is being paid on commercialization, ensuring that innovative ideas can be effectively transformed into market-ready products and services.
The city also plans to connect with at least 20 investment funds and to establish innovation spaces across all colleges, universities, wards and communes.
A notable step forward was the launch of the “triple-helix” cooperation model linking government, academia and enterprises.
This initiative brings together the Da Nang Innovation and Startup Support Center, Fundgo Da Nang and the Innovation and Startup Support Center of the University of Education under the University of Da Nang.
It is designed to better mobilize intellectual resources and market access for startups. In parallel, several important cooperation agreements have been signed with technology firms and investment groups, reinforcing Da Nang’s growing network of partners.
These partnerships aim to accelerate the real-world application of emerging technologies such as AI, generative AI, Web3 and blockchain, particularly in the fields of tourism development and cultural heritage conservation.
Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Quang Buu emphasised that the program serves as an important forum for local authorities to engage directly with the startup community.
This practical dialogue, he said, will help refine the city’s 2026 action plan and support the development of Da Nang’s startup ecosystem in a deeper, more substantive and sustainable manner.
Taken together, these cited efforts reflect a proactive and optimistic outlook for Da Nang’s startup ecosystem, positioning the city as an increasingly attractive destination for innovation, talent and investment in the years ahead.