Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2020 was officially launchedon December 12 to support the development of Vietnam’s rising technologyeco-system.

The contest will be opento innovative small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encourage them todesign new products in 5G, Internet of Things, machine learning, smart cities,wearable devices and multimedia utilising mobile platforms and technologies ofQualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated.

This will offer anopportunity to help Vietnamese entrepreneurs enter new markets around theglobe.

The application will beopen after the Lunar New Year. Ten finalists will be selected to move forwardto the incubation stage which will involve business coaching, access toengineering resources at Qualcomm Vietnam’s Hanoi labs for product developmentand assistance in protecting intellectual property through guidance in thefiling of patents.

Qualcomm Vietnam whichis well-known for breakthrough technologies like 5G will hold a series ofroadshows in cities across the country next year to offer information about thechallenge.

Details of theapplication will be announced on its website.

At the challenge’slaunching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tungsaid developing an innovation start-up eco-system has been one of the toppriorities of the Vietnamese Government in recent years.

As the agency assignedby the Government to be in charge of innovation, the Ministry of Science andTechnology has closely co-operated with other ministries, agencies andlocalities to implement specific plans to promote the formation and developmentof Vietnam’s innovation start-up eco-system, especially in a number ofimportant technology areas which the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challengefocuses on developing.

“We strongly supportthis initiative to create a platform for people and start-ups with innovativeideas in Việt Nam. We hope to set an example in innovation and entrepreneurshipwith the Vietnam Innovation Challenge,” he said.

Jim Cathey, senior vicepresident and president of global business operations, said: “The QualcommVietnam Innovation Challenge is an exciting new programme that builds on ourclose work with Vietnam’s growing mobile technology industry over the pastseveral years. We are delighted to receive support from many Vietnamese Governmentagencies, especially the Ministry of Science and Technology, for thedevelopment of Vietnam’s domestic technology capabilities and help localcompanies realise their global ambitions.”/.