The K-Startup Grand Challenge 2018 was launched in Hanoi on May 24 by the Korea IT Cooperation Centre (KICC) and the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) with the aim of building an open start-up ecosystem to assist start-ups in expanding to markets in Asia.
The K-Startup Grand Challenge 2018 selected Vietnam as one of the main countries to hold the regional audition which is scheduled for July 9-10 in Hanoi and July 11-12 in Ho Chi Minh City.
The top 80 teams selected by the judging accelerators will be invited to stay in the RoK and will receive a total of US$11,130 each to participate in a 3.5 month-long accelerator programme.
Meanwhile, the top 40 start-ups selected will be provided with a total of US$22,727 each to support their settlement in the RoK and the top four teams will be rewarded with grants of up to US$100,000.
Impressive start-ups may be offered equity investment opportunities from accelerators and local enterprises.
Besides Vietnam, the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2018 will be held in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Hong Kong (China), and Taiwan (China).
After two years, the programme has successfully helped 41 start-ups to become established in the RoK which has attracted a total US$26 million worth of investment from 24 investors.
"Participating in the programme, start-ups will have the opportunity to take part in professional training courses, receive consultancy from leading experts, and get access to sources of investment while connecting with RoK partners in order to develop and expand to markets in the Asian region," said VINASA Vice President Mai Duy Quang.
