Swissep 25 5
Short Summary:
The transcript details the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program (SwissEP) in Vietnam, a four-year initiative (Phase 3, years 2024-2027) supporting Vietnamese startups through ecosystem organizations (accelerators, incubators, VCs). Key points include a funding decrease in 2024 compared to previous years, a focus on high-growth, scalable startups, a relatively high percentage of women employees in supported startups (60%), and the program's use of international experts to provide support. The program aims to strengthen the Vietnamese startup support network, increase funding for startups, particularly those with female founders, and leverage Swiss innovation expertise. Specific examples of partner organizations (Makay, Dang Biotech Center) and supported sectors (B2B, climate tech, agri-tech) are mentioned.
Detailed Summary:
The transcript can be broken down into the following sections:
1. Introduction and Program Overview: The speaker introduces SwissEP Phase 3 (2024-2027), highlighting the program's goal of supporting Vietnamese startup ecosystem organizations. A symbolic telescope is mentioned, representing the program's forward-thinking approach and navigating uncertainty. The speaker explains the consolidation of three previously separate ecosystems (Saigon, Hanoi, Da Nang) into a unified network to foster greater interaction.
2. Program Achievements and Statistics (2024): The speaker presents data on SwissEP's impact in 2024. This includes:
- 16 partner organizations working with 291 startups.
- Focus on the top 20 startups, employing 3400 people (average 170 per company).
- 76% progress towards a target of 4500 employees by the end of Phase 3.
- 60% of employees in supported startups are women.
- A new "scale-up" program for established startups seeking international expansion (12 companies have expanded internationally).
- Startups raised slightly under 18 million CHF in funding, significantly less than in previous years (42% of 2023, 30% of 2022), reflecting a broader funding winter.
- Only 2% of funding went to startups with at least one female founder.
- Emerging trends in B2B, climate tech, and agri-tech sectors.
3. Future Goals and Discussion Points: The speaker outlines key discussion points for the upcoming two-day summit:
- Creating more specialized, high-impact programs.
- Unlocking more capital for scalable startups.
- Strengthening the support network for founders (including government, international VCs, and accelerators).
- Leveraging Swiss innovation expertise in Vietnam.
4. Introductions and Closing: The speaker introduces key personnel, including new partner organizations and the communications person. The speaker then hands over to the next presenter.
Notable Quotes/Statements:
- "A telescope to gaze into the vast universe recalling the excitement of exploration navigating through uncertainty and thinking ahead with a big picture mindset." – This quote encapsulates the program's philosophy.
- The speaker notes the significant decrease in funding in 2024 compared to previous years, highlighting the impact of the funding winter.
- The low percentage of funding received by startups with at least one female founder (2%) is identified as an area needing improvement.
- The emphasis on supporting "scalable startups" indicates a focus on high-growth potential companies.