Leave a Nest held the first TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in VIETNAM 2018 on June 9, 2018, at Saigon Innovation Hub in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From 20 entries, finalists presented technology and business plans addressing challenges in areas including agriculture, water, food safety, education, and materials. Following the final judging, Advanced Water Treatment was selected as the Grand Prize winner for its water purification device using membrane and condensation technologies to tackle salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta.

From Vietnam’s Challenges to Social Implementation through Science and Technology

TECH PLANTER is a seed acceleration program that discovers researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to solve global challenges through science and technology and supports commercialization by connecting them with companies, universities, and support organizations. The 2018 program marked the first TECH PLANTER in Vietnam.

Ahead of DEMO DAY, Leave a Nest conducted outreach activities at institutions including Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Innovation Hub, and Saigon High-Tech Park. A total of 20 applications were received from local universities, incubators, and other organizations.

After document screening and interviews, nine teams were selected as finalists, with one team withdrawing on the day of the event. The finalists presented technologies and business concepts across diverse themes, including water treatment, food safety, smart agriculture, materials processing, and STEM education.

Award Winners – TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in VIETNAM 2018

Grand Prize / Mitsui Chemicals Award

Advanced Water Treatment

Theme: Water purification device using membrane and condensation technologies

Reason for selection: The team was recognized for directly addressing water-related challenges that threaten daily life in Vietnam, including salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta. If realized, the technology could also be deployed in other regions facing similar salinity problems.

Support: JPY 200,000 prize money and the right to participate in TECH PLAN DEMO DAY Singapore as a finalist.

ROHTO Award / JT Award

NASCI

Theme: Cosmetics, shampoos, and other products using natural materials

Reason for selection: The team was recognized for the potential to contribute to local problem-solving through products made from herbs unique to Vietnam, as well as for the future potential created by expanding its natural-material library.

Support: JPY 200,000 prize money.

JT Award presentation

Framgia Award

GaraSTEM

Theme: Robot kits, mobile applications, and programming software for STEM education

Reason for selection: The team was recognized for its potential to contribute to STEM education in Vietnam through original educational materials designed for the local learning environment.

Support: VND 420,000.

Framgia Award presentation

Event Overview

Date	June 9, 2018 (Saturday)
Time	13:00–18:30 (Doors open at 12:00)
Venue	Saigon Innovation Hub, Ho Chi Minh City
Total entries	20 teams
Finalists	9 teams (1 withdrew on the day)
Partners	Japan Tobacco / Mitsui Chemicals Singapore R&D Centre / ROHTO Pharmaceutical / Framgia / Focus Tech Venture / Saigon Innovation Hub / GiiG / National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development

Connecting Challenge-Driven Technologies from Vietnam to Southeast Asia

The inaugural 2018 Vietnam program attracted many themes closely linked to local social challenges, particularly water issues and food safety. Leave a Nest will continue connecting local researchers and startups with companies and support organizations in Japan and Southeast Asia to advance social implementation and cross-border business development of science and technology.

GaraSTEM’s robot kit for STEM education, presented by one of the finalists

TECH PLANTER by Leave a Nest

Organizer and operator: Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

If you are interested in these projects and platform, feel free to contact to us!

>> Dr. Takumi Jindo, Managing Director, Leave a Nest Vietnam Co., Ltd.
[email protected] / +813-5227-4198