Startup Vietnam Foundation

What Startup Vietnam Foundation does

Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) is a Vietnam-based non-profit foundation operating since 2014 as Vietnam's first socialized, non-profit organization focused on developing the national innovation and startup ecosystem. The foundation serves Vietnamese SMEs, startups, women-led enterprises, young entrepreneurs, social impact businesses, and provincial/rural founders through capacity building, training, coaching, investment facilitation, and market access support. SVF structures its work around three strategic pillars — Green (sustainable development), Digital (innovation and technology), and Culture (heritage and tradition) — and delivers programs at national, local, and flagship levels.

SVF operates a portfolio of programs rather than a single product. Flagship initiatives include Co4Growth (SME support and acceleration), Bước chân Di sản (Innovation on Heritage, promoting the creative cultural industry), For Youth For Vietnam (youth development in partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam), EvoLead Innovators (leadership development, with a Singapore edition in 2025), and INNO2GG (Innovation to Green Growth conference). It also runs national competitions such as the Vietnam Innovation Challenge (with Meta, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the National Innovation Center), the Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2024 (with Unilever Vietnam, BritCham Vietnam, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), and the National STEM, AI and Robotics Championship spanning 29 provinces. Local incubation programs operate in Dong Thap, Ben Tre, and other Mekong Delta provinces.

The business model is non-commercial: SVF is funded through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships rather than service fees. Major funding/program partners include the Standard Chartered Foundation (Co4Growth seed grants), Youth Business International, Meta, Unilever Vietnam, Austrade, and Vietnamese government ministries. The foundation states that over 90% of its resources are directed to direct startup support activities. Headquartered at Opal Tower, Saigon Pearl in Ho Chi Minh City, SVF employs 32 staff and operates a network of 100+ experts, 90+ strategic partners, and Vietnamese community connections across 10 countries.

Name

Startup Vietnam Foundation

Legal name

Startup Vietnam Foundation

Website

https://svf.org.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) is a Vietnam-based non-profit foundation supporting the country's innovation and startup ecosystem through training, incubation, competitions, and market access programs targeting SMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, and social impact businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Ecosystem Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem support
• Entrepreneurship incubation services
• Non-profit innovation foundation
• SME capacity building
• Youth entrepreneurship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation/Non-profit Operations: SVF is a socialized, non-profit foundation focused on supporting Vietnam's innovation startup ecosystem. The organization operates through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships rather than commercial revenue generation. Over 90% of resources are used directly for startup support activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) is a socialized non-profit foundation supporting Vietnam's innovation startup ecosystem through capacity building, resource connection, and program implementation. SVF delivers SME acceleration, incubation, and leadership development programs including Co4Growth, Bước chân Di sản, INNO2GG, and EvoLead Innovators, alongside national competitions and training initiatives. Operations are funded through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships, with over 90% of resources directed to direct startup support activities.

Product overview

Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) is a non-profit social enterprise foundation that serves as a platform connecting the startup ecosystem in Vietnam. Rather than a single unified product, SVF operates as a multi-program ecosystem with distinct initiatives including: Co4Growth (SME support and acceleration program), Bước chân Di sản (heritage innovation project), INNO2GG (innovation for green growth conference series), EvoLead Innovators (leadership development program), and various national/local incubation programs. SVF also organizes competitions including the National STEM AI and Robotics Championship and Vietnam Innovation Challenge. The foundation focuses on three strategic pillars: Green (sustainable development), Digital (innovation and technology), and Culture (heritage and traditions), connecting entrepreneurs, experts, investors and support organizations to build Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Co4Growth: SME support initiative helping Vietnamese small and medium enterprises adapt to dynamic business environments through capacity building, revenue growth, and job creation
• Bước chân Di sản
• For Youth For Vietnam
• EvoLead Innovators
• INNO2GG
• Vườn ươm Miền Trung

Products and services

• Co4Growth Initiative supporting Vietnamese SMEs to adapt to dynamic business environments through practical programs covering women's cooperation, financial literacy, and business acceleration. Helps SMEs enhance capabilities, grow revenue, and create/maintain jobs.
• Bước chân Di sản (Heritage Steps) Project 'Innovation on Heritage' promoting the creative cultural industry and a sustainable future, applying Vietnamese intelligence, innovation, technology, and digital transformation to elevate cultural heritage.
• INNO2GG (Innovation to Green Growth) Annual flagship program and conference series inspiring Vietnamese business leaders and communities on sustainable development, new-era leadership thinking, technology, and innovation. INNO2GG 2025 specifically focuses on catalyzing community leadership transformation and co-creation.
• EvoLead Innovators Singapore 2025 Exploratory leadership program for business owners, entrepreneurs, technology engineers, and innovators, structured around 'I am effective', 'I am humanistic', and 'I am whole' modules, including a journey summary.
• Chương trình ươm tạo Doanh nhân Khởi nghiệp Đổi mới Sáng tạo (Innovation Startup Entrepreneur Incubation Program) Local-level incubation program supporting innovative startup entrepreneurs to complete products, connect resources, and enhance competitiveness, with the goal of forming an innovative startup generation in regions such as Mekong Delta, Dong Thap, and Ben Tre.
• Đàn Sẻu Khởi nghiệp Đất Sen Hồng Incubation program for the startup ecosystem of Dong Thap province, supporting local founders and co-founders to enhance sales capabilities, emotional management, brand development, and adapt to economic fluctuations for sustainable growth.
• Cuộc thi Tìm kiếm Tài năng Khởi nghiệp sáng tạo Quốc gia (Techfest Vietnam National Startup Talent Competition) National annual startup innovation competition held within TECHFEST Vietnam, gathering thousands of individuals and organizations domestically and internationally to honor initiatives applying science and technology to solve practical problems and expand internationally.
• Vietnam Innovation Challenge (VIC) Annual program seeking innovative ideas and solutions from organizations and individuals worldwide to solve national-level challenges, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, NIC, and Meta.
• Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2024 Program seeking and honoring initiatives to enhance the plastic circular value chain in Vietnam, particularly soft plastic packaging waste, in collaboration with Unilever Vietnam and BritCham Vietnam.
• National STEM, AI and Robotics Championship National STEM, AI and Robotics Championship for students from 29 provinces and cities nationwide, where teams solve challenges around clean energy, smart grid optimization, and sustainable resource management through programming and robot operation.
• For Youth For Vietnam Flagged initiative focused on youth development through practical experience, resource connection, and nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship spirit, in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ quality jobs created through entrepreneur development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hoc Vien Ngoai Giao (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2026MOU signed on July 24, 2026 for youth development through practical education, innovation, and ecosystem connection. Collaboration focuses on two key initiatives: For Youth For Vietnam and Buoc Chan Di San (Heritage Steps), within the framework of IC Talents Programme 2026.
• Vuon Uom Mien Trung (Central Vietnam Incubator)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2026Strategic partnership announced June 14, 2026 to support Central Vietnam enterprises in enhancing governance capacity, accelerating growth, and expanding to international markets. SVF aims to build a multi-dimensional platform connecting businesses, experts, investors, and support organizations.
• Youth Business InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo4Growth program partnership supporting small and medium Vietnamese enterprises in adapting to dynamic business environments through practical programs for capacity building and market access.
• Unilever VietnammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2024 program addressing plastic waste reduction in Vietnam's flexible packaging sector.
• BritCham VietnammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2024 program.
• Trung tam Doi moi Sang tao Quoc gia (National Innovation Center - NIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Vietnam Innovation Challenge program and hosting venue for Co4Growth events at NIC Hanoi.
• Bo Khoa hoc va Cong nghe (Ministry of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry supporting TECHFEST Vietnam national startup event and national innovation programs.
• Bo Ke hoach va Dau tu (Ministry of Planning and Investment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry leading InnovateVN vision and Vietnam Innovation Challenge program.
• Bo Nong nghiep va Moi truong (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry co-leading Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2024.
• Tap doan MetamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Vietnam Innovation Challenge program for digital transformation and AI innovation.
• SwissEP (Swiss Entrepreneurship Program)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss program represented in Co4Growth Cohort 3 evaluation panel.
• BIZMAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment arbitration and guardianship organization represented in evaluation panel.
• Cong ty Co phan Tu van va Dau tu Khoi nghiep Quoc giamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational startup consulting and investment company, co-founder of Song Han Incubator, represented in evaluation panel.
• Trung tam Ho tro Doanh nghiep va Khoi nghiep Dong Thap (DongThapBSSC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness support center under Dong Thap Department of Planning and Investment, providing startup incubation and local ecosystem support.
• TransformedUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization founded by individuals dedicated to human development.
• JCI VietnamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization affiliated with Junior Chamber International World Federation.
• Dear Our Community (DOC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing content, skills training, and job opportunities for social impact in Vietnam.
• Austrade (Australian Trade and Investment Commission)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian government agency helping businesses grow through trade and investment services, landing pads programs.
• Truong Dai hoc Ton Duc ThangmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for INNO2GG 2025 event (September 20-21, 2025) with 400+ participants.
• VNIDAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for Inno2GG 2025 and innovation events.
• I.VALUEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for Inno2GG 2025 conference.
• Cong Dong Tinh Thuc (Aware Community)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer for EvoLead programs supporting consciousness-based leadership development.
• VNAS (Vietnamese-American Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EvoLead Innovators Singapore 2025 program.
• VSFA (Vietnam Singapore Friendship Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EvoLead Innovators Singapore 2025 program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• BRAC: One of the world's largest development non-profits, with extensive programs supporting micro-entrepreneurship, SMEs, and youth skills in low-income countries. Comparable to SVF in mission, beneficiary profile, and focus on grassroots entrepreneur development in an emerging market.

Direct peers

• Unreasonable: Global impact enterprise supporting entrepreneurs tackling major social and environmental challenges through curated programs and a network of mentors and investors. Comparable to SVF's EvoLead-style leadership and capacity-building programs aimed at scaling impact founders.
• Village Capital: Global non-profit supporting impact-focused entrepreneurs in underserved communities through peer-selected investment-readiness programs. Comparable to SVF's Co4Growth and incubation offerings for SMEs and women entrepreneurs seeking capacity building and capital access.
• Ashoka: Global non-profit supporting leading social entrepreneurs through fellowships, networks, and ecosystem programs. Closely comparable to SVF's mission of identifying and scaling change-makers across multiple thematic areas, including youth and sustainable development.
• National Innovation Center (NIC) Vietnam: Vietnamese government-backed innovation hub that co-leads TECHFEST and the Vietnam Innovation Challenge with SVF. Directly comparable as a national-level ecosystem builder running incubation, acceleration, and challenge programs for Vietnamese startups and SMEs.
• Acumen: Global non-profit that invests philanthropic capital and patient capital in early-stage social enterprises addressing poverty. Comparable to SVF in combining capacity building, capital facilitation, and ecosystem building for entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs running incubation, acceleration, and community programs for entrepreneurs addressing social and environmental challenges. Comparable to SVF's community-centered, multi-program ecosystem model across multiple geographies.
• Hanoi Innovation Hub: Innovation support organization under the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, running incubation, acceleration, and startup events in Vietnam. Comparable to SVF as a public-facing innovation intermediary targeting early-stage Vietnamese entrepreneurs.
• Saigon Innovation Hub (SIHUB): Ho Chi Minh City-based innovation hub under the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, supporting startups and SMEs through incubation, training, and ecosystem events. Closely comparable to SVF's SME-support and community-ecosystem model within the same geography.

Regional players

• SME Corporation Malaysia: Malaysian government agency coordinating national SME development programs including advisory, funding facilitation, and ecosystem support. Comparable to SVF in its hybrid public-private model of supporting SMEs with capacity building, capital access, and market linkage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@startupvietnamfoundationsv4662
• Facebookfacebook.com/startupvietnamfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svfvietnam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup Vietnam Foundation