The program was organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, in coordination with the Business Startup Support Center (BSSC) and the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam). The press conference took place on the morning of September 18 at Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024: Encouraging start-ups that protect the environment

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper Tran Xuan Toan called the past 4 seasons of Tuoi Tre Start-up Award extremely special. It has received more than 1,000 start-up projects, more than 100 projects were evaluated and honored, and supported more than 2.2 billion VND for start-ups.

But that's not all, because the spiritual support, encouragement, and assistance to startups after the program are values ​​that are difficult to measure or can be counted in numbers.

Choosing green startup inspiration, the organizers hope to convey inspiration and entrepreneurial spirit to young people. Thereby creating an environment to nurture ideas and determination for green startups, sustainable development and environmental protection.

"Search for and honor effective startup models that bring value to society and the country. Green startup projects and individuals that protect the environment will reach investors, startup funds, and banks," said Mr. Toan.

Mr. Vo Hung Thuat - Director of Tuoi Tre Newspaper Media Service Center - said that the organizing committee sets different criteria for each round and category. For the top 20 and the final round, the focus will be on sustainable development factors (finance, environment, human resources), the innovation of start-ups, the value of contributions to the community, capital mobilization strategies as well as sales efficiency.

"In particular, the criteria for readers' votes will focus on a set of criteria on sustainable development factors, brand, value of contribution to the community, innovation, product quality, service and price," said Mr. Thuat.

Dare to think, know how to do, responsible, happy

Secretary of the City Youth Union - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Youth Union Ngo Minh Hai shared that the Youth Union - Association is assigned the task of nurturing the spirit and aspirations of students and young people.

Mr. Hai advised that before starting a business, young people need to have a relatively solid foundation, through the process of working, laboring and creating to accumulate enough materials for their breakthrough process, which is starting a business.

He mentioned four words: dare to think, know how to do, be responsible and happy. Dare to think is to think big, be innovative and creative; know how to do is not to act recklessly but to know what to do to prepare knowledge, skills and experience. Responsibility is what is related to oneself, family, relatives and society.

Mr. Hai said that mistakes and failures of predecessors guiding successors to avoid and achieve success faster is also a responsibility. "Happiness means loving and enjoying what you do. Only then can you generate positive thoughts and find more creative methods," he shared.

Discussing further, Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai - Chairman of PRO Vietnam - said that the challenges that young people face when starting a business today are newer, but the pioneering role is very important.

"I appreciate the theme of Tuoi Tre Start-up Award this year when it emphasizes pioneering because this is a very important factor. Young start-ups pioneering green startups will spark change and create momentum in the business community ecosystem," Mr. Trai expressed.

BSSC Director Nguyen Thi Dieu Hang said that doing business for young people is already difficult, now moving towards a green economy and sustainable development is even more difficult.

Impressed with the theme "Inspiration for green startups", according to Ms. Hang, this will be a source of encouragement and motivation for young people and those who are pursuing sustainable startups so that they know that they are being recognized.

Mr. Truong Minh Dat - co-founder of Bekon Joint Stock Company (top 20 Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2023) - confided that the difficulties that start-ups face are too many, difficult to list all. He believes that in addition to supporting start-ups, it is necessary to support the pioneering spirit of large enterprises.

"There are countless difficulties, especially when thinking of ways for startups to both develop and be green. The important thing I want to send to young entrepreneurs is to be very passionate and determined with their sustainable development goals," said Mr. Dat.

Green startup inspiration: Young people's pioneering needed

We are witnessing the North suffering many risks of natural disasters, so everyone must contribute to protecting the environment, aiming for sustainable development, and the organizers of Tuoi Tre Start-up Award cannot stand aside.