Da Nang turns global startup links into investment deals
DNO - Da Nang is broadening opportunities for its innovative businesses to access capital, technology and overseas markets, and helping local products move further up global value chains.
Da Nang startups tap into global networks
On October 16, the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Centre (DISSC), under the city’s Department of Science and Technology, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Manabu Hubs, a global startup incubation platform, marking a further step towards connecting the local startup ecosystem with international investors, experts and technology markets.
Founded by Pablo Riveros and headquartered in Japan, Manabu Hubs is a global startup incubation platform that supports founders and early-stage businesses through artificial intelligence (AI), an extensive network of specialized mentors and market-entry programs.
With a focus on connecting startup ecosystems in Japan, Taiwan (China), Vietnam and across the Asia-Pacific region, the platform aims to bring international resources, expertise, and business opportunities closer to startups in Da Nang.
Under the agreement, the two sides will work to connect Da Nang startups with investment funds, angel investors and strategic partners. Their cooperation will also cover training, mentoring, expert exchanges and market development support.
Establishing a local presence for Manabu Hubs in Da Nang is also being considered to sustain regular engagement with the city’s startup community. A key direction is to select promising startups to participate in international technology events in 2027.
Such platforms will allow businesses to showcase their products, seek customers, meet investors directly and assess their prospects in overseas markets.
By connecting startups with international mentors and partners from the product-development stage, the initiative also aims to help founders refine their offerings, strengthen business models and prepare for fundraising.
Attracting venture capital and angel investors
Before its partnership with Manabu Hubs, Da Nang had already begun positioning itself as a destination for startup investment through the Da Nang Venture and Angel Summit (DAVAS) 2026, held in May under the theme “Innovation Meets Global Investment”.
The event attracted more than 30 investors and investment funds from Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, the Philippines and Vietnam.
It brought together 62 startups and projects operating in fields including artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (fintech), education, healthcare, blockchain and Web3. Of these, 43 were from Vietnam, with the remainder coming from international markets.
A key feature was one-on-one matchmaking between startups and investors, complemented by coaching in investment pitching, growth-model development and business valuation.
At the summit, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu highlighted the city’s development vision, which centers on knowledge, technology, creative talent and global connectivity.
Da Nang aims to build a practical, results-oriented innovation ecosystem that enables technology businesses to grow and strengthen their international competitiveness. Within the city’s startup ecosystem, technology solutions for education, healthcare, tourism, e-commerce, AI and digital management are opening up different avenues for attracting investment.
At DAVAS 2026, FiveSS Technology JSC secured an investment commitment of US$300,000 from Summit Capital in exchange for a 7.5% equity stake, while the BioWraps project received a US$350,000 investment offer from BCA Group.
Meanwhile, Digital Tourism Technology One Member Co., Ltd. continued negotiations over a potential investment of approximately US$40,000.
According to Nguyen Viet Toan, Director of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Centre, following DAVAS 2026, the center reviewed and classified participating projects by sector, fundraising readiness and individual investor requirements.
Each startup is being monitored throughout its engagement with investment funds, including requests for additional documentation and progress in establishing connections.
For projects undergoing due diligence, the center continues to provide support in legal matters, intellectual property, financial planning and the preparation of data required for more in-depth assessments.
As Da Nang expands its cooperation with international networks, the challenge is no longer simply to increase the number of investors engaging with local startups.
It is to establish sustained support mechanisms that can turn initial introductions into actual investment agreements, capital flows and market opportunities. International partnerships are opening new pathways for Da Nang startups to reach wider markets.
Ultimately, however, attracting and retaining investment will depend on business quality, the ability to commercialize technology and a transparent, business-friendly investment environment.
For Da Nang, the partnership represents an opportunity to build stronger links between local innovation and global markets. In addition to attracting investment, sustained international engagement could give emerging businesses access to knowledge, technology and commercial networks needed to scale up and compete internationally.