Sectors and levels in the province are interested in promoting creative startups in the direction of green startups.
Thanks to the natural advantages of forests and seas, Ca Mau province is a locality with many potentials and advantages to implement green economic models. In recent times, sectors and levels in Ca Mau province have paid attention to promoting the development of many forms of green economic development such as renewable energy; encouraging agricultural production models that reduce emissions and are environmentally friendly such as shrimp-rice, forest shrimp models; etc. The initial results have brought positive results. Along with the inevitable trend in the innovation process, green startup ideas are an important basis for forming a green economy.
Promoting and supporting the startup movement is a task that the functional sectors in the province are interested in and have implemented many practical activities. Every year, the Provincial Startup Support Steering Committee issues programs and plans to support startups, building the province's startup ecosystem more and more comprehensively and extensively. In particular, the annual Ca Mau Startup Festival is an activity that is increasingly attracting the attention and participation of many organizations and individuals inside and outside the province. After more than 03 years of operation, the Startup Festival is gradually moving towards the goal of becoming the leading startup event in Vietnam, attracting the attention of domestic and foreign investors. In 2024 alone, with more than 3,000 interested individuals and participating units. This shows that the Ca Mau startup ecosystem has been and is reaching out every day. In 2024, the Startup Festival with the theme “Green Startup - sustainable development trend” is one of the practical actions to promote the green startup movement, stimulating the growth of the green economy in the province.
Green startups are becoming a trend for many startups.
The benefits of green startups are both creating economic value and protecting the environment. This is considered one of the “attractive” subjects attracting investment. Seizing the opportunity, Ca Mau province has gradually transformed into a green startup form, meeting the development requirements in the context of globalization that requires green growth. Mr. Tran Hoang Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Center for Business Research and Support of Vietnamese Enterprises, commented: “Ca Mau has many advantages for green startups, promoting green economic development. An easily recognizable reality today is that young people with startup ideas in Ca Mau province are following the trend of developing a circular economy, a regenerative economy, organic production, protecting resources, and enriching indigenous values. This is a positive sign in the current startup movement in the province. However, startup entities are lacking connectivity, leading to many possible risks. Therefore, the functional sector of Ca Mau province needs to encourage and support green startup ideas and projects to merge into value chain links. There must be specific orientation, thorough research and reserve of necessary human resources to serve the development stages. Only then can we develop quickly and sustainably”.
Green startups are not only a global trend but also an essential need in the context of climate change and increasing pollution. Currently, many organizations and individuals in the province have begun to focus on startup solutions that follow nature and develop sustainably. Aiming to build and form products and services that both create economic value and minimize negative impacts on the environment. Mr. Ngo Cuong, a student at Binh Duong University - Ca Mau Branch, said: “My friends and I have been implementing the idea of producing products from cajuput waste. Through the process of exploration and research, our group has successfully produced many types of products from cajuput trunks, leaves, flowers, and bark to serve life, with economic value such as: scented candles, scented wax, cajuput essential oil, cajuput essential oil extract. After launching, the products of these young people have been well received by customers. Hopefully, we will contribute a small part to “revive” and further enhance the value of cajuput trees. At the same time, help cajuput growers to continue to maintain and expand the forest area to protect the environment”.
Mr. Hua Nguyen Duy, a student of Tac Van High School, Ca Mau city said: “According to the criteria of this year's Startup Festival, which is green startup, we bring the biological product pennywort leaf lotus - DPN. This is a product serving agricultural production and is environmentally friendly. Thanks to participating in the Startup Festival, we have the opportunity to experience, exchange, and learn startup knowledge right from when we were still in school. The comments of the Jury are the “compass” that helps us improve ourselves as well as our startup journey. This will be a valuable asset for us to continue to strive and work harder in the future. At the same time, it is a motivation for startups to continue to improve”.
Many green startup ideas are being pursued by young people in the province.
Green startups are considered a new, long-term and sustainable direction. However, to be successful on the startup path, the subject needs to plan a strategy, clear steps, to be able to predict difficulties and propose solutions. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Linh, Deputy Director of VCCI Mekong Delta, Vice President of Mekong Delta Startup Network (MSN), assessed: “Following the direction of the Government, localities, including Ca Mau province, will have many policies to support sustainable startups. Especially supporting and promoting startup ideas, innovative startups towards stimulating green growth. It can be seen that Ca Mau is one of the leading localities in the region in green startups. With innovative thinking from startup ideas and projects, startup subjects, especially young people, need to learn, research and participate in organizations and forums on green startups in the region and nationwide. From there, we have the knowledge and experience to self-assess and identify risks on the current startup path. This will be a good opportunity for startups to turn their initial ideas into great projects and achievements. In addition, local authorities need to pay attention to issuing mechanisms and policies to support and promote green startups to develop further in the future”.
