Sources: TuoitreNews
http://tuoitrenews.vn/business/34213/ho-chi-minh-city-launches-internet-of-things-startup-competition
A startup competition revolving around the Internet of Things will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from April to August this year, according to a press conference held on Saturday.
The Saigon Hi-Tech Park Incubation Center (SHTP-IC) launched the 2016 Internet of Things Startup Competition (IoT Startup 2016) with the theme ‘Developing Smart Cities and Improving Quality of Life.’
‘Internet of things’ (IoT) is a term used to describe a network of physical objects such as household devices, cars, and even buildings, embedded within a network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
Le Hoai Quoc, chief of the management board at Saigon Hi-Tech Park, said the competition would be organized every year as a means to welcome ideas and creations for the development of a better quality life in Ho Chi Minh City.
“The competition is a great opportunity for professors, undergraduates, and the startup community to approach IoT developers as well as gaining access to assistance and professional training from experts in the field to develop, complete, and commercialize the product from its very inception,” Quoc said.
Le Hoai Quoc, chief of the management board at Saigon Hi-Tech Park, makes his remarks at the press conference to announce the launch of the 2016 Internet of Things Startup Competition in Ho Chi Minh City, April 9, 2016. Photo: SHTP-IC
The competition will be held from April to August this year, and registration is open from April 9 to May 31 to all universities, colleges, and startup communities in Ho Chi Minh City as well as provinces in the vicinity.
IoT Startup 2016 is expected to attract an audience of over 20,000 and more than 20 projects have already registered to compete, making it one of the biggest annual events for technology developers in the field of IoT in the city.
According to Le Thanh Nguyen, director at SHTP-IC, apart from the VND100 million (US$4,500) prize pool, the center will also handpick up to five highly-regarded projects to assist in commercializing the products after the competition.
Nguyen added that the center would also provide assistance in training, technical consultations, and finance for potential products to be made for practical use.
Individual contestants may also look for team members who share their ideas through the competition’s forum to form a group to enter the contest.
Any Vietnamese citizen under the age of 45 who possesses creative ideas and are interested in startups is eligible for registration.
Visit the competition’s website for more detailed information: http://iotstartup.vn/.