Lào Cai

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!

In the previous article, we shared how digital transformation has led to the creation of new products and values, even from agricultural by-products that were once considered waste. This time, the story is about how digital transformation has helped create new services while preserving indigenous culture.

Experiencing Traditional Shuttlecock Making at Hà Khuyên Homestay

 

On our journey to explore the potential of digital transformation in Northwest Vietnam, we discovered a new story at Hà Khuyên Homestay in Bản Phụ Mẫu, Chiềng Yên Commune, Vân Hồ District, Sơn La Province. Known for its cozy accommodations, Hà Khuyên Homestay attracts both domestic and international tourists. In hosting guests, the homestay has curated local experiences such as tea-picking tours and visits to the traditional shuttlecock-making craft village of the White Thai people. Surprisingly, the shuttlecock-making tours have become particularly popular, marking the beginning of their digital transformation journey.

They "digitized" the shuttlecock-making process by capturing detailed photos and videos showcasing each step—from fabric selection, stitching, to decoration—and sharing this content on social media. They also organized online workshops about this craft for those who were interested but unable to participate in person.

Though still in its early stages, this digital transformation effort not only promoted a newly launched tour but also laid the foundation for a new business model centered on the vibrant traditional game of the White Thai people. The shuttlecocks, tetrahedral with brightly colored tassels, are thrown through a hoop standing 10 meters high during spring festivals as part of rituals for good fortune and prosperity—fascinating and engaging for spectators.

Hà Khuyên Homestay has since expanded beyond organizing tours and "classes" teaching shuttlecock-making. They received their first online order for shuttlecocks as gifts for Lunar New Year gift baskets. Additionally, they are improving their video production and storytelling skills to create online shuttlecock-making tutorials.

Looking ahead, they plan to broaden their customer base by selling shuttlecocks more widely as souvenirs, offering DIY shuttlecock-making kits online, and introducing other handcrafted products from local residents to increase household incom

Preserving Local Games and Music for Tourism

In the Shan Tuyet tea region, resources like the traditional Tay soccer game and then singing also have the potential to develop into new tourism business models. Soccer, once an integral part of Tay community life, has gradually faded away.

Unlike conventional soccer, Tay matches are played on freshly harvested rice paddies with rustic rules and brief intervals (each half may last only 10 minutes), featuring players in traditional attire.

With a desire to revive this tradition, Bản Liền has organized traditional Tay soccer matches between tourists and local teams. However, this unique sport remains largely unknown to many visitors.

Since these matches were digitized into videos shared on social media, things have changed. Vàng A Bình at Bản Liền Homestay has turned this experience into a service over the past several years. Tourists can buy tickets to watch the matches or join games with the locals. Simultaneously, Tay then singing in Bản Liền, supported by local authorities, is being developed into a performing arts troupe that showcases traditional songs. These performances are also being digitized to enrich the cultural experiences available to tourists.

Digital Transformation Unlocking Business Opportunities

Social media enables anyone, anywhere, to create content. Initially meant to promote a service or product, digital content can evolve into entirely new business models. The cultural activities of highland ethnic communities, when presented authentically and naturally, possess a unique charm that captivates audiences—even without elaborate editing or visuals.

This process of digital transformation opens up countless opportunities for tourism services and cultural experiences, inspiring and motivating local communities to preserve and protect their cultural values. 

Challenges on the Journey

However, this journey is not without obstacles. One prominent challenge is the fragmented recognition and exploitation of cultural uniqueness, which has not yet been fully translated into high-quality products or experiences. Many valuable cultural elements remain undefined, limiting their potential to attract tourists and generate economic value.

The digitization of content in local languages, combined with English, French, and other common languages, faces a significant shortage in both quality and quantity.

Even with the community’s co-creation efforts making digitization easier, pricing cultural experiences, targeting high-value customer segments, and fostering respect for indigenous cultures pose major challenges.

Additionally, local communities—custodians of vibrant cultural values—sometimes lack awareness of the potential digital transformation offers for heritage preservation and economic development. This lack of trust or understanding slows the adoption of technology and innovation, hindering the ability to leverage the unique cultural advantages of Northwest Vietnam. 

Empowering Cultural Heritage Through Technology

From an innovation and business development perspective, these barriers not only delay value realization but also increase costs and risks associated with digital transformation. This underscores the urgent need to empower local communities, enhancing their capabilities to identify, create, and digitize cultural values. Without overcoming these barriers, the potential to enhance value through digital transformation cannot be fully realized.

Lào Cai and Sơn La, with their cultural treasures ranging from majestic terraced fields to vibrant traditional festivals, are rich lands of potential in the digital era. Technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) can help recreate traditions and rituals, transforming folklore into engaging experiences for global visitors.

Just as Italy brings the ancient city of Pompeii to life through AR and Japan digitizes museums for virtual tours, Northwest Vietnam’s cultural heritage can also reach global audiences through similar technological tools. From Hmong khèn dances to the Thai Xòe festival, these cultural gems can transcend photos and become vivid experiences for tourists worldwide.

A Hopeful Future for Northwest Vietnam’s Digital Transformation

In this context, digital transformation is not merely a modern tool but a key to unlocking the latent power of cultural heritage. By digitizing cultural values for promotion and exploring new business models, the goal of sustainable preservation and development comes closer to reality. Stories like Hà Khuyên Homestay and Bản Liền affirm that in the digital era, culture can be an economic driver and identity can become a competitive advantage.

This journey is just beginning, but early successes light a bright path for the future of digital transformation in Northwest Vietnam.

Within the framework of the IDAP project - Enhancing the inclusive digital transformation ecosystem, we have witnessed a typical example of utilizing agricultural by-products to increase revenue through digital transformation. The cooperation between Tan Xuan 269 Cooperative and Sac Moc Tinh Company has demonstrated this. 

Tan Xuan 269 Cooperative produces and turns discarded bamboo leaves into unique bamboo leaf tea products. After being processed, the bamboo leaves have a natural green color, light yellow tea water and the characteristic aroma of pandan leaves. The product not only retains its valuable uses such as cooling, reducing fever and supporting the treatment of respiratory diseases, but also opens up a new source of revenue for the Cooperative. The product will be sold directly on e-commerce platforms, creating jobs for people in Son La. Utilizing this by-product not only helps reduce waste but also creates job opportunities for local workers. Jobs such as harvesting bamboo leaves, sorting, drying and packaging are suitable for many subjects, especially women, people with disabilities and manual workers. This is proof of the application of digital transformation in agriculture, helping to increase economic value and promote gender equality and social integration. The success story of Tan Xuan 269 Cooperative and Sac Moc Tinh Company clearly demonstrates the power of turning agricultural by-products into new products. However, to bring products to market, digital transformation will be a potential direction. This initial success not only motivates us but also affirms our commitment to connecting and supporting Cooperatives and businesses. We believe that digital transformation needs to start from digital business innovation, business model innovation first, finding new values, increasing revenue streams. From there, businesses can find opportunities from digital transformation. This journey has just begun, and we will continue to accompany partners to turn challenges into opportunities, building a comprehensive digital transformation ecosystem in Lao Cai and Son La.

ABOUT IDAP PROJECT
The project "Strengthening the Inclusive Digital Transformation Ecosystem for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)" in Lao Cai and Son La, sponsored by GREAT, implemented by KisStartup Joint Stock Company from 2024 to 2027. IDAP belongs to the initiative "Promoting Gender Equality through Improving Economic Efficiency of Agricultural Production and Tourism Development" in Lao Cai and Son La, sponsored by the Australian Government.
For any questions, please contact

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/kisstartup

Website: https://www.kisstartup.com/

Email: hello@kisstartup.com

Contact:(+84) 0392161403 (Mr. Hieu)

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.