Winners of Mekong Agritech Challenge announced

Three early stage startups from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and three more mature teams originating from outside the Greater Mekong Subregion have won prizes in the Mekong Agritech Challenge
Winners of Mekong Agritech Challenge announced ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: Internet)
Hanoi (VNA) – Three early stagestartups from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and three more mature teamsoriginating from outside the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) have won prizes inthe Mekong Agritech Challenge (MATCh).

The first prize went to Cricket One (Vietnam)with sustainable and affordable protein product from crickets and AgUnity(Australia) with a blockchain platform that helps farmers share resources.

The second prize winners are KIU Global(operating in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam), which provides a financialtechnology solution offering agricultural businesses access to credit, andVerifik8 (Thailand) with software that connects producers and buyers and helpsimprove performance in the agrifood supply chain.

Meanwhile, the third prize belongs to TunYat(Myanmar) and Enzootic, Ltd. (Israel and Hong Kong, China). While TunYat offersa rental solution that gives smallholder farmers access to larger machinery, Enzootic,Ltd. provides a cell transplantation technology for shrimp farming that yieldsall female shrimp producing more product with less losses.

The six MATCh winners presented outstandingtechnology solutions with high potential to advance agriculture in the GMS.Aside from prizes ranging from 2,000 – 5,000 USD equivalent, they will alsoreceive ongoing mentorship and training and will compete in the Singapore-basedFuture Food Asia Award Competition.

Earlier, 22 teams visited Hanoi to pitch theirtechnologies and solutions to a panel of industry experts and investors. Theywere from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam as well as Australia, China,India, Israel, the Netherlands, and Thailand. The teams also participated inbusiness matching, one-on-one meeting with mentors, and farm tours. 

Connor McGuinness, Regional Programme Manager,Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “Cambodia,the Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam all share deep agrarian legacies, and whilethese economies are diversifying, agriculture still has so much to offer as anengine of economic growth.” 

MATCh was co-organised by the Mekong BusinessInitiative, the Future Food Asia, and the GMS Core Agriculture SupportProgrammes, with funding and support from the Australian Government and theAsian Development Bank (ADB).
 
MATCh supports startups in agriculture todevelop products, network and learn from industry players, showcase theirsolutions, and access markets and funding. It is aimed at agritech and traditionalagriculture businesses with innovative and scalable solutions for Cambodia,Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
The Challenge has tracks for businesses from insideand outside the GMS. MATCh will be powered by the MATCh Alliance, consisting ofkey regional and local players in the agribusiness innovation ecosystem.-VNA
VNA

See more

Viettel Digital Talent and Viettel Future Changemakers are open for registration until March 15, 2026. (Photo: Viettel)

Viettel launches talent search to develop young workforce for core technologies

Unlike conventional internship or management trainee schemes, both programmes are designed and implemented directly by Viettel, integrating training with real-world work in a global technology group. Participants are entrusted with solving major challenges that directly impact Viettel’s research, production and business operations.

A close-up view of the UAVs used in the Can Gio - Vung Tau delivery route on Fenruary 12, 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: CT UAV)

Vietnam’s first cross-sea UAV delivery route inaugurated

The event marked the debut of the country’s first cross-sea unmanned postal route, representing a pioneering step in smart mobility solutions aimed at boosting the digital economy and easing pressure on road transport infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), which cited the Google–Temasek–Bain & Company e-Conomy SEA 2025 report, tourism remains one of the key drivers of Vietnam’s economy. (Photo: VNA)

Digital transformation in tourism for comprehensive, sustainable growth

Vietnam is well positioned to become a leading digital tourism destination in the region. By capitalising on current growth momentum and implementing targeted support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises, the country can build a smart and sustainable tourism ecosystem aligned with global digital transformation trends.

Party General Secretary To Lam ( second, from left) visits an exhibition showcasing the government's achievements in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. (Photo: VNA)

Fund mechanisms positioned to unlock greater resources for innovation

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo defines fund-based mechanisms as the core financial tool for advancing science, technology and innovation. Under the resolution, State budget funding for research and development is prioritised for allocation through funds, alongside reforms in financial management, expanded autonomy, streamlined procedures, and acceptance of the risks and time lags inherent in research activities. It also calls for the establishment of venture capital funds and science and technology development funds to steer, mobilise and unlock social resources for innovation.

UAV Cup PV GAS 2025 looks for solutions to boost the low-altitude economy (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Digital economy helps power breakthrough growth

The application of digital technologies, big data, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and digital platforms is creating new opportunities for businesses and citizens across production, business activities and social governance. Sectors such as e-commerce, digital finance, smart logistics and digital platform-based services are generating significant added value, while online public services, cashless payments, digital education and digital healthcare are increasingly improving quality of life and the transparency and efficiency of state management.

Camera manufacturing at Sunny Opotech Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Yen Binh Industrial Park in Thai Nguyen province. (Photo: VNA)

Resolution No. 57: Vietnam moves to create favourable legal framework for technology transfer

The Ministry of Science and Technology has sought feedback on a draft decree amending the Government's Decree No. 76/2018/ND-CP, aiming to strengthen the legal framework for technology appraisal and transfer, improve support policies for participating entities, and enhance risk management to ensure sustainable development, environmental protection and public health.

A visitor experience the robot receptionist at the Spring Fair 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Glorious Spring Fair 2026: technology underpins product quality

With the Politburo's rollout of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, along with Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on developing the private economic sector, a key focus is on applying scientific and technological advances to produce essential consumer goods.

A large volume of goods of unclear origin is found in An Giang province (Photo: VNA)

PM orders tougher IP enforcement under new decree

The move aims to promptly combat, curb, and minimise IP violations; safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and businesses; build a transparent and healthy business environment; spread the nation’s image and prestige to advance rapid and sustainable development.

An overview of the seminar (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese intellectuals in France join hands to advance science, technology at home

Held amid the nationwide efforts to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the seminar served not only as an academic forum but also as a platform reflecting the sense of responsibility, intellectual engagement and aspiration to contribute among overseas Vietnamese intellectuals in the nation’s new development era.

The robotics team from Cau Giay Secondary School, Hanoi, performs at the event (Photo: VNA)

STEM Innovation Petrovietnam helps cultivate knowledge in technological era

The programme connected three sites in Hanoi, Nguyen Hue High School in Lao Cai, and Chau Thanh High School in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together educators, students, representatives of businesses, and industry–energy engineers, and those directly supporting schools in implementing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in practice.