VietChallenge, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Massachusetts seeking to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young Vietnamese and foster business synergies through mentorship, networking, and access to funding. The organization is known for its flagship, eponymous annual startup competition for Vietnamese founders and non-Vietnamese founders aiming to expand their business to Vietnam’s market. 

 

Since 2015, the three-round-judging competition has helped elevate more than 800 startups, who came to compete from 20+ different countries. During its past six seasons, VietChallenge has awarded $300,000+ in cash with no strings attached to its contestants. Beyond cash prizes, VietChallenge connects its contestants with over 80 experts, mentors, and entrepreneurs in its network. Our alums have gone on to raise more than $12 million in funding, some of which comes from the VietChallenge Investor Alliance, a network of investors who have pledged to support VietChallenge finalists.

In addition to our startup competition, in 2021, VietChallenge expanded its scope to co-host a philanthropic campaign to support Vietnamese children affected by COVID-19 and a cross-pacific Blockchain Roundtable, bringing together leaders in the industry to share ideas around bringing blockchain technology forward.

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“At this competition, Vietnamese                                                 entrepreneurs will thrive.”

- Ambassador of Vietnam to the United States H.E. Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc

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WHAT WE DO

"We believe in connecting Vietnamese entrepreneurs at the intersection of their shared identities. If you want to support the future of new ideas, welcome global innovation, and lift up the Vietnamese diaspora, you've come to the right place."

 

A Global Platform

Our format is specifically designed for contestants all over the world. The only eligibility requirement is 1) to have a member of the team with least a 25% stake in the company that is of Vietnamese descent or 2) to have an expressed intention to invest in Vietnam through their business or expand the business into Vietnam in the 3-5 years following the competition.

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Connect with Investors

We offer our contestants the opportunity to meet and pitch their ideas to potential investors through an engaged network of VCs and angel investors.

 

Top-Notch 1 on 1 Mentorship

We work with successful experts in various industries to pair them with our contestants on a 1:1 basis. With their extensive knowledge and industry insights, our mentors advise startups on a wide range of aspects such as technology, legal, finance, and human resources.