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An Event within the IDAP Project

On the morning of December 27, 2024, the workshop “Impact Investment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture and Tourism” was held online, attracting a wide range of businesses and cooperatives from various fields such as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. The event was organized by KisStartup within the framework of the IDAP project – the next phase of the GREAT project funded by the Australian Government, aiming to support small businesses and cooperatives in improving their access to investment capital.

The workshop began with an introduction by Ms. Nguyễn Đặng Tuấn Minh, CEO of KisStartup and program coordinator. The main speaker, Mr. Keith Ippel – CEO of Spring Activator and an international expert in impact investment – shared in-depth insights and inspired attending businesses.

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Overview: Impact Investment and Opportunities in Vietnam

In the opening session, Ms. Nguyễn Đặng Tuấn Minh introduced the concept of impact investment – a form of investment aimed at generating financial returns alongside positive social or environmental impacts. Ms. Minh emphasized that in Vietnam, impact investment is creating significant opportunities, particularly in areas like sustainable agriculture, community-based tourism, and creative industries. With the rapid development of small businesses and cooperatives, accessing investment not only brings financial benefits but also promotes critical social values.

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Fundraising Strategies: Trust Is the Key

In the following session, Mr. Keith Ippel guided businesses on building effective fundraising strategies. According to him, trust is the key to convincing investors. Businesses need to clearly present a robust business plan, maintain financial transparency, and demonstrate their ability to create sustainable social or environmental impact. He also noted that businesses should meticulously prepare financial forecasts and develop two scenarios – optimistic and cautious – to prove their viability in different situations.

Additionally, Mr. Keith introduced potential funding sources, including personal savings, family and friends, current revenue, grants, and loans. He particularly encouraged businesses to explore support funds from international organizations or experiment with crowdfunding – funding channels suitable for small businesses and cooperatives in their early development stages.

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Engaging Interaction with Practical Challenges

Engaging Interaction with Practical Challenges

During the Q&A session of the workshop "Impact Investment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture and Tourism," expert Keith shared crucial strategies to help businesses build sustainability and attract investors. When asked about balancing sustainability with social impact, Keith emphasized that sustainability must come first, as social impact can only thrive when a business is stable. Regarding expanding tourism products, he suggested businesses seek funding through crowdfunding or funds like Visa Vietnam.

Keith also shared methods for identifying ideal customers and creating positive experiences, advising businesses to thoroughly research customer demographics and behavior. When asked about cultural organizations, he mentioned seeking funding from family funds and private organizations, with detailed and convincing plans for investors. On standing out to investors, Keith recommended businesses practice presentations and craft compelling stories about their development journey.

A seafood farming cooperative shared difficulties in meeting collateral requirements for loans. In response, Mr. Keith suggested they approach grant funds from international organizations or try crowdfunding campaigns to reduce collateral pressure.

He also cited examples of successful businesses from simple ideas, emphasizing that sustainable development comes from clear vision and strategy. Finally, Keith shared that to access bank loans, businesses need detailed business plans and clear financial forecasts to build trust with investors. His advice provided practical strategies for small and medium businesses to confidently develop and attract investments.

A cultural expert inquired about funding or support for digitizing cultural heritage. Keith suggested important funding sources that could be utilized, including purchasing digitized data to serve their customers in the Canadian market. There are also funds specifically for culture, which can support not only tourism businesses but also create new business models.

When asked about developing local investors and promoting the local ecosystem, Keith stated that the most crucial factor is building trust among each other, including experienced and less experienced entrepreneurs. Inspiring investors with your story is essential.

Regarding leading a community to attract investment and development, Keith pointed to global examples like Chiwis and Bazerdan, highlighting the importance of trust, leveraging each member's strengths to complement one another, and setting a collaborative plan. More importantly, the community must have a business-minded leader with sales capabilities to guide everyone toward collective development.

When asked whether businesses creating jobs in the poorest areas can attract investment, the answer was a resounding yes, as these efforts generate employment in the places that need it most.

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Next Steps

At the end of the workshop, the speakers recommended specific steps for participants to increase their chances of successful fundraising. Practicing presentations, building detailed business plans and financial forecasts, and investing in a compelling brand story will enhance a business's appeal to investors. Additionally, businesses need to clearly identify their unique selling points to establish sustainable competitive advantages.

The organizers provided an online form for participants to register for additional materials and personalized support from the program's experts.

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Conclusion: Seizing Opportunities from Impact Investment

The workshop “Impact Investment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture and Tourism” delivered practical knowledge and opened new perspectives on sustainable investment trends in Vietnam. The program not only provided small businesses and cooperatives with access to new knowledge but also helped them identify clear long-term development paths.

Follow the IDAP project and KisStartup to continue participating in meaningful and valuable programs in the future!

Are you a student who loves the beauty of the Northwest, enjoys creativity, and wants your own visuals to spread far and wide? Hackathon 2: The Digital Creativity Challenge is your chance! Join the competition to showcase your talent and win amazing prizes!

EVENT TIMELINE:

• Launch: October 30, 2024 - November 6, 2024
• Interaction period: 12:00 a.m., November 7, 2024 - 5:00 p.m., November 9, 2024

ELIGIBILITY:
Students from universities and colleges in Lao Cai and Son La provinces.

CHALLENGE:
Create a video promoting agriculture, culture, cuisine, or tourism to showcase the beauty and richness of Lao Cai and Son La.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:
Format:

• Participants will create a video to promote local imagery, covering themes like landscapes, people, cuisine, culture, or community activities.
• Videos should be uploaded on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok using the required competition hashtags.
• Submit your video and register via the LINK.

Video Requirements:

• Length: Maximum 5 minutes.
• Title and Description: Each video must have a title and a short description.
• No copyright violations: Ensure music, images, or content are not infringing copyright.
• Appropriate content: Content must align with cultural values and avoid violence, sensitive, or controversial subjects.
• Quality: Video should have clear visuals and sound.
• Language: Vietnamese; additional languages are encouraged to increase international reach.
• Logo: Must include the IDAP project logo – LINK.
• Hashtags: #IDAP #digital_transformation #digital_creativity_challenge.
• Scoring: Videos will be judged solely on total interaction counts (views, likes, shares, and comments) on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube during the set Hackathon 2 interaction period.

ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AWAIT!

• Creative Peak Award (1,990,000 VND): For the video with the highest views (minimum 1000 views).
• Unique Discovery Award (1,000,000 VND): 2 awards for the most unique and creative videos.
• Touching Hearts Award (500,000 VND): 3 awards for videos that evoke special emotions.
• Shining Energy Award (200,000 VND): 5 awards for inspiring content.

Deadline to register and submit videos: Before 5:00 p.m., November 9, 2024.

Join now to express your unique style! Together, let’s create a wave of creativity with Lao Cai and Son La students, spreading beautiful images and the cherished values of our hometowns far and wide!

ABOUT IDAP
The "Inclusive Digital Transformation Ecosystem for SMEs" project in Lao Cai and Son La, funded by GREAT and implemented by KisStartup from 2024 to 2027, is part of the initiative to “Promote Gender Equality through Improved Economic Efficiency in Agricultural Production and Tourism Development” funded by the Australian Government.

About the Hackathon - Digital Creativity Challenge: An initiative by KisStartup to provide students a platform to showcase their creativity and share the beauty of Lao Cai and Son La through social media and digital tools. The competition will be held in multiple rounds, each with a 65-hour challenge. Eligibility: Students from universities and colleges in Lao Cai participating in the IDAP-KisStartup project.

 

For detailed information on the competition and winning entries, please visit:

• Website: kisstartup.com
• Email: hello@kisstartup.com
• Hotline: (+84) 869.190.704 (Mr. Dung)

       On the morning of September 6th, 2024, KisStartup successfully organized the launch event of the IDAP project - a project aimed at enhancing the inclusive digital transformation ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on agriculture and tourism in Lao Cai and Son La provinces. The project is implemented within the framework of GREAT, an initiative funded by the Australian Government and managed by Cowater International. The event was attended not only by domestic and international experts but also by many businesses, individuals, and organizations interested in inclusive digital transformation, particularly in the two provinces of Lao Cai and Son La.

The event began with videos summarizing the results of phase 1 and introducing products and tourism in the Northwest region.

In the opening remarks, Mr. Roger Oakeley, Chief Advisor of the GREAT project and representative of the donor, emphasized the importance of enhancing the role of women in economic development through agriculture and tourism, while also promoting a sustainable ecosystem between local businesses. He pointed out that the project aims to understand the environmental and social barriers in business development, so that with the support of relevant stakeholders, these issues can be thoroughly addressed. Additionally, GREAT's market system approach will pose challenges but also offer opportunities for partners like KisStartup to expand their markets post-project.
Following the program, the CEO of KisStartup Joint Stock Company, Ms. Nguyễn Đặng Tuấn Minh, outlined the development direction and activities of the sub-project. She shared that the project focuses on three main aspects: "New Approach, New Methods, and Potential Cooperation Models," as well as introducing the basic concepts of the digital transformation process. During the program, the CEO of KisStartup also highlighted that digital human resources will be a crucial factor for achieving sustainable digital transformation, not only within the program’s framework but also in the long term. The IDAP program will not only help train and enhance the capacity of businesses but also collaborate with universities and colleges to offer hands-on guidance to students, expanding their job opportunities while helping schools develop qualified human resources that can contribute to the development of the local digital transformation ecosystem. Furthermore, she emphasized that achieving sustainable digital transformation requires support and cooperation from many parties, making the establishment of a collaborative network essential. KisStartup is proud to act as a bridge between businesses, universities, colleges, and service providers.

The program also included participation from partner businesses such as ezCloud. Representatives from businesses shared their experiences in collaboration, the solutions they could offer, and expressed their desire to support local enterprises not only within the project but also by reaching out to businesses that haven't had the opportunity to participate. Ms. Bùi Phương Thanh, a representative from Noong Pieu Cooperative in Son La, shared her experiences and the remarkable development of the cooperative during and after participating in the program. Starting as a small cooperative with a rare ruby plum variety sold in small quantities, the cooperative has since expanded its growing area and successfully exported to four markets.

In the final part of the program, businesses were guided on how to register to participate in the program, with commitments of support and direction for business development and inclusive digital transformation, along with a Q&A session. The event paid particular attention to addressing the needs of businesses, providing foundational knowledge on inclusive digital transformation, and supporting networking opportunities for business owners and operators. New potential initiatives were introduced, such as digital transformation combined with green transformation, with universities and colleges aiming to provide services and human resources tailored to business needs, all working towards the common goal of developing a sustainable ecosystem network. KisStartup sincerely thanks the participation of over 65 attendees and is committed to continuing to refine and support businesses facing challenges in digital and green transformation both within and beyond the project’s framework.
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For any inquiries, please contact: 
KisStartup Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/kisstartup 
Website: https://www.kisstartup.com/ 
Email: hello@kisstartup.com 
Contact: (+84) 392.161.403 (Mr. Hieu)
 

ezCloud ensures that with just a smartphone, small homestay owners can connect and focus on welcoming guests while improving product and service quality. ezCloud will fully take care of sales operations, which is also the desire of small homestays. We have received significant interest from homestays and mixed agriculture-tourism businesses in Lao Cai and Son La.ezCloud ensures that with just a smartphone, small homestay owners can connect and focus on welcoming guests while improving product and service quality. ezCloud will fully take care of sales operations, which is also the desire of small homestays. We have received significant interest from homestays and mixed agriculture-tourism businesses in Lao Cai and Son La.
The connection event session for tourism businesses was successful, attracting over 50 businesses, with the goal of bringing optimal digital technology solutions for homestay and tourism businesses. The event provided an opportunity for businesses to access two of the industry's leading digital solutions: ezCloud and TripIn, platforms that not only optimize business operations but also significantly enhance customer experiences.

ezCloud – The No.1 Hotel Management Platform in Vietnam

ezCloud is Vietnam's leading hotel management platform, currently holding the largest market share. This solution is specially designed to serve various types of accommodation, from small hotels to homestay complexes to community homestay groups. Thanks to its comprehensive automated management system, homestay owners only need to focus on guest reception and providing the best experience, while all management processes, from booking, room status tracking, to revenue management, are handled by ezCloud intelligently and efficiently.
In particular, with the remote management feature via the mobile app, businesses can easily monitor and adjust their operations anytime and anywhere. This allows homestay owners to dedicate more time to improving service quality and customer care. Moreover, ezCloud integrates multiple features to connect with OTA (Online Travel Agency) channels, helping homestays expand their reach to international customers, increasing booking rates and revenue effectively.

TripIn – AI and AR Travel Application with Virtual Guides

TripIn is an advanced travel application that integrates AI and AR technology, providing tourists with unique travel experiences through virtual guides. Especially for homestay groups or complexes in areas rich in cultural and natural attractions, this application is a powerful tool for tourists to freely explore and experience.
With AR (Augmented Reality) technology, tourists can use TripIn to receive real-time information as they move to attractions, including cultural stories, historical insights, and other useful local information. The virtual guide on TripIn helps them explore every corner of the locality without the need for a traditional tour guide. This not only offers personalized experiences for tourists but also brings convenience and flexibility to travel businesses.
Additionally, TripIn uses AI technology to suggest travel itineraries that match the preferences of tourists, enhancing satisfaction and encouraging them to return or recommend the service to friends and family.

ezCloud and TripIn not only provide optimal management and travel experience solutions but also help small and medium tourism businesses, particularly homestays, to easily transition to digital operations, reduce operating costs, improve business efficiency, and offer unique travel experiences to guests.
This event marks a significant step in promoting digital transformation for tourism businesses in Vietnam. With the support of solutions like ezCloud and TripIn, homestay businesses can easily optimize their operations while delivering new and exciting experiences to their customers. This not only helps them compete more effectively in an increasingly competitive market but also contributes to enhancing the image and quality of local tourism.
Businesses, cooperatives, and homestays that need to connect with these solutions and receive support during the process, please contact KisStartup.

The networking event organized by KisStartup took place successfully, attracting the participation of more than 50 agricultural enterprises, cooperatives and business households in Lao Cai and Son La provinces. This event is an important step forward in promoting green transformation and improving management efficiency in the agricultural sector through technology solutions. In particular, the event highlighted the desire of local businesses to find solutions to help manage energy effectively, community cooperation investment, and increase product value.

Alterno – Energy storage sand battery technology

Alterno introduced sand battery technology solutions, helping to store and optimize the use of renewable energy. This technology is capable of meeting energy needs in production processes such as drying agricultural products and heating, especially suitable for the conditions of agricultural enterprises and cooperatives in Lao Cai and Son La. This is an important step forward in reducing dependence on traditional energy, contributing to the green transition in agricultural production.

BFD – Smart livestock management solution

BFD introduced smart livestock management solutions, with feed control systems and process automation. This technology not only helps livestock farmers optimize resources but also improve livestock performance, ensuring the quality and health of livestock. This automation reduces manual labor, saves costs and energy, and helps businesses better manage their resources.

Sac Moc Tinh – Environmentally friendly food production

Sac Moc Tinh introduced food production technology from agricultural by-products, helping to make the most of agricultural resources and minimize waste. This technology not only helps businesses produce sustainably but also brings environmentally friendly products, meeting the growing consumer demand for green, clean and safe products.

EGAP – Product management and traceability solution

EGAP provides product traceability management and monitoring services, supporting businesses to ensure transparency and compliance with traceability regulations. This solution helps improve reputation and product quality, meeting the requirements of domestic and international markets. The application of traceability also helps cooperatives and business households increase the value of their products, ensuring trust from customers and partners.

Through the networking event, agricultural businesses in Lao Cai and Son La had the opportunity to learn more about advanced technology solutions, helping them manage resources more effectively and promote sustainable development. Businesses show special interest in green transformation, using renewable energy and developing in a sustainable direction. In particular, many businesses want to invest in the form of community cooperation, sharing resources and knowledge to improve their competitiveness in the market.
In addition, adding value to products through solutions such as traceability, process automation and environmentally friendly production are also top priorities. Businesses see great potential in not only improving product quality but also creating sustainable value chains, serving the needs of both domestic and international markets.

This networking event has brought many opportunities for cooperation and transformation for businesses, cooperatives and agricultural businesses in Lao Cai and Son La. Applying technology solutions such as Alterno, BFD, Sac Moc Tinh and EGAP will help them not only optimize production operations but also move towards a more sustainable and green future. With the support of KisStartup and its partners, local agricultural businesses are on the path to strong transformation, enhancing value and competitiveness, while contributing to the comprehensive development of the local economy.