ABOUT THE PROGRAM

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

WHO SHOULD APPLY

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

TIMELINE

FAQ

VIE

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CHAPTER 1: GROW AND CYCLE
SMART AG-TECH & CIRCULAR INNOVATION

A cross-border acceleration program supporting high-potential climate-tech startups in scaling solutions, accessing strategic partners, and expanding into the Vietnamese market.

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POWERED BY

FUNDER
CO-FUNDER /
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER
HOST
ORGANIZING PARTNER
ORGANIZING PARTNER

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

“Climate Tech Catalyst – Vietnam and Beyond” is the flagship acceleration program under the project “Enhancing Net-Zero Readiness of Viet Nam Through Mobilizing Investments for Climate-Tech Start-ups and SMEs”.

Structured across two chapters (2026 and 2027), the program supports climate-tech startups and SMEs from early validation to growth and Series A/B readiness, enabling them to scale solutions, access markets, and connect with strategic partners and investors. The 2026 cohort will focus on agriculture and circular economy solutions, and the 2027 cohort on renewable energy and clean transport. 

Led by Vietnam-Korea ecosystem partners, the program is designed as a two-way platform that supports promising ventures from Vietnam while also welcoming Korean and global climate-tech companies seeking to enter, partner in, and grow across the Vietnamese and wider Southeast Asian markets, in collaboration with an intergovernmental organization.

FOCUS AREAS

AGRICULTURE

Innovative solutions for sustainable farming, food systems, and climate resilience.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY
& WASTE MANAGEMENT

Technologies and models that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and enable circular systems.

By bridging innovation with market demand, the program aims to support scalable climate solutions that contribute to Vietnam’s transition toward a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.

Chapter 1: Grow and Cycle – Smart Ag-tech & Circular Innovation 

WHY THIS PROGRAM

Vietnam is entering a critical phase in its transition toward a low-carbon and sustainable economy, supported by strong policy direction and growing market demand for climate solutions.

However, climate-tech startups often face sector-specific challenges – including long validation cycles, capital intensity, and limited access to specialized investors and partners.

This equity-free program is designed to address these gaps by connecting startups with the right ecosystem, resources, and opportunities to scale effectively.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

INVESTMENT &
CAPITAL ACCESS

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

TAILORED
ACCELERATION SUPPORT

Receive customized 1-on-1 mentoring, strategic guidance, and track-based support aligned with your growth stage and goals.

MARKET ACCESS
(VIETNAM & KOREA)

Explore and expand into the Vietnamese market while building cross-border connections with Korea’s innovation ecosystem.

ECOSYSTEM & STRATEGIC
CONNECTIONS

Engage with a curated network of corporates, investors, policymakers, and technical experts across the climate-tech ecosystem.

TAILORED
ACCELERATION SUPPORT

Receive customized 1-on-1 mentoring, strategic guidance, and track-based support aligned with your growth stage and goals.

MARKET ACCESS
(VIETNAM & KOREA)

Explore and expand into the Vietnamese market while building cross-border connections with Korea’s innovation ecosystem.

ECOSYSTEM & STRATEGIC
CONNECTIONS

Engage with a curated network of corporates, investors, policymakers, and technical experts across the climate-tech ecosystem.

INVESTMENT &
CAPITAL ACCESS

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

WHY THIS PROGRAM

Engage with a curated network of corporates, investors, policymakers, and technical experts across the climate-tech ecosystem.

ECOSYSTEM & STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS

Receive customized 1-on-1 mentoring, strategic guidance, and track-based support aligned with your growth stage and goals.

TAILORED
ACCELERATION
SUPPORT

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

INVESTMENT &
CAPITAL ACCESS

Explore and expand into the Vietnamese market while building cross-border connections with Korea’s innovation ecosystem.

GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS (VIETNAM, KOREA, AND BEYOND)

ECOSYSTEM & STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS

GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS (VIETNAM, KOREA, AND BEYOND)

INVESTMENT &
CAPITAL ACCESS

Connect with venture capital, corporate partners, and funding opportunities through structured investor engagement and deal facilitation.

Engage with a curated network of corporates, investors, policymakers, and technical experts across the climate-tech ecosystem.

Explore and expand into the Vietnamese market while building cross-border connections with Korea’s innovation ecosystem.

TAILORED
ACCELERATION SUPPORT

Receive customized 1-on-1 mentoring, strategic guidance, and track-based support aligned with your growth stage and goals.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

A structured, 3-phase program designed to move startups from validation to partnerships and investment.

PHASE 2

  • 1-on-1 Mentoring & Office Hours
  • Curated Business & Investor Matching
  • International Fundraising Trip to Korea
  • Targeted workshops and small group sessions

INVESTMENT &
PARTNERSHIP ACCELERATION

PHASE 1

FOUNDATION &
MARKET DISCOVERY

  • 1-on-1 Business Diagnosis
  • Climate-Tech Masterclass Week
  • Vietnam Market Exploration
  • Feedback Day & Networking Event
  • Demo Day with investors, corporates & ecosystem stakeholders
  • Curated Investor & Corporate Meetings
  • High-level Networking & Deal Facilitation
  • Post-Demo Day Deal Conversion Support

SHOWCASE & DEAL
CONVERSION

PHASE 3

WHO SHOULD APPLY

We are looking for climate-tech startups and SMEs ready to scale, partner, and expand.

SECTOR

Operating in Agriculture or Circular Economy / Waste Management

VIETNAM RELEVANCE

Based in Vietnam or planning to enter the Vietnamese market, including foreign startups with a clear plan to establish local presence or partnerships

STAGE

At MVP, pilot, or growth stage (from Pre-seed to Series B), with a clear pathway to scale. Selected startups will be supported through differentiated tracks tailored to their stage and needs.

CLIMATE IMPACT

Demonstrating clear climate or environmental impact

PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT

Committed to actively participating in program activities

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

HIGH-PROFILE
DEMO DAY

Showcase your startup to investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders from Vietnam, Korea, and beyond.

INTERNATIONAL
FUNDRAISING TRIP TO KOREA

Connect with Korea’s leading investors, corporates, and innovation ecosystem to explore cross-border opportunities.

CURATED BUSINESS & INVESTOR MATCHING

Access tailored introductions and facilitated meetings aligned with your growth and funding strategy.

VIETNAM MARKET EXPLORATION TRIP

Engage directly with corporates, government stakeholders, and ecosystem partners through curated meetings and on-the-ground market exposure.

TOTAL PRIZE POOL

Top-performing startups will be recognized and awarded during Demo Day, based on evaluation by a panel of investors, industry experts, and ecosystem stakeholders.
In each track, the Top 3 startups will be selected and awarded based on their performance, potential, and overall evaluation criteria.
A total of USD 120,000 in awards will be distributed across two focus areas:

AGRICULTURE TRACK

USD 60,000

CIRCULAR ECONOMY/
WASTE MANAGEMENT TRACK

USD 60,000

TIMELINE

Timeline and locations are indicative and may be subject to change depending on program implementation needs and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

MENTORS & EXPERTS

Learn from experienced investors, industry experts, and ecosystem leaders across Vietnam, Korea, and beyond.
Juhern Kim
Country Representative to Vietnam
GGGI
Gibs Song
Partner
VSV Capital
Thạch Lê Anh
Co-founder & Venture Partner 
VSV Capital
Jeong Tae Kim
CEO 
MYSC
Nguyễn Hồng Long
Director 
Center for Creativity and Sustainability Study and Consultancy (CCS)
Jungho Park
CSO
(Chief Sustainability Officer)
MYSC
Chrystie Dao


Venture Partner 
VSV Capital
Linh Hàn
Founding Partner 
VSV Capital
Inhyo Koh
Sr. Consultant, Development Cooperation Center Lead 
MYSC
Chi Hàn
Managing Director, Business Accelerator
VSV Capital
Huong Ta
Policy Lead
GGGI
Minh Tran
Senior Officer, Sustainable Finance
GGGI
Huong Do
Program Officer, Sustainable Agriculture
GGGI
Manh Do
Energy Policy Officer
GGGI
Ha Pham
Knowledge and Analytics Officer
GGGI
Hung Bui
Program Officer, Green Entrepreneurship
GGGI
Ha Nguyen
Communications Officer
GGGI
Sugyeong Kang
Circular Economy Officer
GGGI
An Dao
Green Investment Officer
GGGI
Hoa Dao
Senior Officer, Green Investment
GGGI
Phuong Vu
Senior Program Associate
GGGI
More partners to be announced.

Industry & Corporate

Investment & Innovation

We collaborate with a diverse network of ecosystem partners across investment, industry, and innovation to support startup growth, partnerships, and market access. Partners are engaged in various capacities, including outreach, mentorship, and ecosystem collaboration.

ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Government partner supporting policy and investment ecosystem development.
Ministry of Finance
(Vietnam)
An international organization supporting sustainable economic growth and climate action.
GGGI (Global Green
Growth Institute)
South Korea’s leading development agency supporting global sustainability initiatives.
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency)
Vietnam-based venture platform with extensive experience in startup acceleration and ecosystem building.
VSV Capital
Korea-based impact investor and accelerator specializing in climate-tech and ESG innovation.
MYSC

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application with key information about your startup, including your solution, market, and team. A pitch deck is required as part of the application.

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Pro-tip: Since the application requires detailed insights and progress is not automatically saved, we recommend reviewing the questions and preparing your responses in advance.

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS 

The program is equity-free and does not require any participation fees.
Is the program equity-free? What is the participation fee?
Selected startups are expected to actively participate in core program activities, including mentoring sessions, workshops, and key events.

Startups should be prepared to engage with mentors, investors, and corporate partners, and to follow up on relevant opportunities arising from the program.

Where applicable, startups may be requested to provide supporting information or documentation related to investment or commercial engagements facilitated through the program, as well as to contribute to monitoring and reporting activities, including environmental impact metrics.
What is expected from startups during the program?
The program covers travel and accommodation costs for key in-person activities, including the Vietnam Market Exploration Trip (Hanoi), the International Fundraising Trip to Korea (Seoul), and the Demo Day week (Ho Chi Minh City).

Further details will be shared with selected startups.
Are travel expenses covered?
No full-time relocation is required. However, selected startups are expected to participate in key in-person program activities, particularly those taking place in Vietnam and Korea.
Do startups need to relocate to participate? 
Yes. Startups that have participated in other programs or raised funding are welcome to apply, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and can benefit from the program.
Can I apply if I have already participated in other programs or raised funding?
The program does not end at Demo Day. After Demo Day, startups will continue to receive post-Demo Day support focused on deal conversion, including follow-ups with investors and partners, and support in advancing discussions toward concrete outcomes.
What happens after the program ends at Demo Day?
Top-performing startups will be recognized and awarded during Demo Day. A total of USD 120,000 in awards will be distributed across the two focus areas (Agriculture and Circular Economy / Waste Management), with the Top 3 startups in each track receiving prizes.
Is there a prize at Demo Day?
The program is designed to facilitate connections and opportunities with investors and corporate partners.

While it does not guarantee investment or commercial agreements, it provides structured support and access to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Will the program guarantee investment or partnerships?
The selection process includes application screening followed by an online interview with shortlisted startups. During the interview stage, the CEO or a co-founder is expected to attend and present the company, along with a short Q&A session with the evaluation panel.
What is the selection process like?
Applications will go through a structured evaluation process, including screening and interviews, with input from investors, technical experts, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Startups will be assessed based on factors such as:
• Problem-solution fit
• Market potential
• Traction and validation
• Team capability
• Climate impact
• Program fit
How are startups selected?
Selected startups are expected to actively participate in key program activities, including mentoring sessions, workshops, and major events throughout the program.

There are 3 key weeks requiring in-person participation:
• The program launch and Vietnam Market Exploration week in Hanoi
• The International Fundraising Trip in Seoul, Korea
• The Demo Day week in Ho Chi Minh City

Beyond these, the program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing startups to balance participation with their ongoing operations while still committing sufficient time to fully benefit from the program.
What is the time commitment? 
Yes. Startups may involve multiple team members in the program, depending on the activity. However, key sessions such as mentoring and pitching may require participation from founders or core team members.
Can more than one person from a startup participate in the program?
Startups will receive a combination of:
•  1-on-1 mentoring and strategic guidance
•   Investor and corporate introductions
•  Market access support in Vietnam
•  Participation in key events such as Demo Day and networking sessions

Support will be tailored based on each startup’s stage and needs.
What kind of support will startups receive?
The program is equity-free and does not require any participation fees.
Is the program equity-free? What is the participation fee?
The program will be primarily conducted in English, with some local support where relevant. Applicants should be comfortable communicating in English during program activities.
What language will the program be conducted in? 
Startups must be legally registered entities in Vietnam, or overseas-registered companies with the ability to register in Vietnam if selected.
Do startups need to have a legal entity in Vietnam?
Yes. The program welcomes international startups that are interested in entering or expanding into the Vietnamese market.
Can international startups apply?
We accept startups from Pre-seed to Series B, provided they demonstrate a clear growth trajectory and readiness to engage with partners, investors, or the Vietnamese market.

Selected startups will be supported through differentiated tracks tailored to their stage and needs.
What stage of startups do you accept?
The program is open to climate-tech startups and SMEs that: 
• Operate in Agriculture or Circular Economy / Waste Management
• Have a functional prototype (MVP), pilot deployment, or early commercial validation
• Have serious intent to operate, expand, or establish partnerships in the Vietnamese market 
• Have a committed founding or management team
Who can apply to the program?

APPLICATION CLOSES IN

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“Climate Tech Catalyst – Vietnam and Beyond" is an acceleration program under the project "Enhancing Net-Zero Readiness of Viet Nam Through Mobilizing Investments for Climate-Tech Start-ups and SMEs", funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Viet Nam, co-funded and implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The acceleration program is delivered in partnership with VSV Capital and MYSC.
The information provided on this page is for general reference only and may be subject to change as part of program implementation.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

WHO SHOULD APPLY

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

TIMELINE

FAQ

NGÔN NGỮ: VIE

Government partner supporting policy and investment ecosystem development.
Ministry of Finance
(Vietnam)
Korea’s leading development agency supporting global sustainability initiatives.
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency)
An international organization supporting sustainable economic growth and climate action.
GGGI
(Global Green Growth Institute)
Vietnam-based venture platform with extensive experience in startup acceleration and ecosystem building.
VSV Capital
Korea-based impact investor and accelerator specializing in climate-tech and ESG innovation.
MYSC