Recap of the Incubation Phase of the Plastics Innovation Programme – A Collaboration between UNDP Viet Nam, BSSC, and IBP
The Incubation Phase of the Plastics Innovation Programme (PIP), implemented by UNDP Viet Nam in collaboration with the Business Startup Support Centre (BSSC) and Investment and Business Partners (IBP), has officially concluded with impressive and promising results.
Held from early May to the end of June 2025, this phase focused on developing and enhancing the capacity of the Top 25 teams, selecting up to 12 outstanding projects to advance to the Acceleration Phase. These solutions aim to address plastic waste challenges and promote a circular economy model in Viet Nam.
Highlights of the Final Pitching and Awards Ceremony in Hanoi
On June 25, 2025, the Final Pitching and Awards Ceremony was held in Hanoi, attracting over 120 participants from ministries, embassies, international development organizations, investors, businesses, innovation experts, and the Top 25 teams.
At the event, the Top 25 teams presented their solutions to the Evaluation Panel, aiming to secure one of 12 spots for further support in the Acceleration Phase.
Mr. Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, remarked:
“This program is not just a competition. It is a launchpad for innovation, a catalyst for green business models, and a practical step toward realizing Viet Nam’s policies on circular economy and marine plastic reduction.”
Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, was impressed by the strong community engagement with the programme:
“Within just four months of its launch, the Plastics Innovation Programme has witnessed remarkable determination and energy spreading across the country. Of the 116 proposals received: (i) nearly half came from small and medium-sized enterprises; (ii) over 40% were submitted by academic, research, and educational institutions; (iii) 42% were led by youth; and (iv) 91% included women in their teams. These are not just statistics. They reflect the strength of Viet Nam’s innovation ecosystem – a dynamic community coming together to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: plastic pollution.”
Outstanding Results:
- 6 winning teams received $30,000 each: NOPA DESIGN; Viet Nam Food JSC; VNU University of Science – Hanoi; Aquila Technology Viet Nam LLC; Building Up Sustainability; and the Center for Environment Safety Response (ESE).
- 4 runners-up received $10,000 each: CEL; Phu Quoc Sach & Xanh; University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City; Viet Nam Material Architectural and Building JSC (MAB Viet Nam).
These 10 exceptional teams will advance to the 9-month Acceleration Phase, featuring over 288 hours of coaching, bootcamps, a Demo Day event, and connections to over 200 strategic partners. This next stage is designed to help solutions reach market readiness, pilot locally, and access investment networks – contributing to system transformation and a sustainable circular economy in Viet Nam.
About the Plastics Innovation Programme in Viet Nam
The Plastics Innovation Programme in Viet Nam was launched as a programme to support innovations to tackle plastic pollution, officially announced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on February 26, 2025, in Hanoi.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and UNDP, with support from the UN Peace and Development Fund and The Coca-Cola Foundation, this initiative addresses the urgent challenges of plastic waste management across Asia. The Programme is partially implemented through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP).
In Viet Nam, the programme focuses on incubating and scaling innovative solutions across six key pillars: materials, design, business models, technology, governance systems, and financial instruments.
It offers grants of up to $30,000 per winning team and $10,000 per runner-up, prioritizing support for women, youth, local communities, NGOs, research institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Beyond funding, the programme also provides technical support, access to partner networks, piloting opportunities, and capacity development, contributing to long-term goals of building innovative business models for waste collection and recycling, reducing plastic leakage, and advancing Viet Nam’s transition toward a sustainable circular economy.
Incubation Phase Summary
Implemented by BSSC and IBP as selected partners of UNDP Viet Nam, the Incubation Phase supported 25 teams in developing capacity, refining business and technical models, and selecting The Finalist of up to 12 projects to enter the 9-month Acceleration Phase.
Objectives
The Incubation Phase was designed to boost the market readiness and capacity of 25 innovative teams addressing plastic pollution with circular economy approaches. Key objectives included:
- Equipping teams with practical knowledge, tools, and vital networks;
- Strengthening business strategies for fundraising and sustainable growth;
- Supporting the development or refinement of minimum viable products (MVPs) and validating market needs;
- Fostering collaboration within the green innovation ecosystem.
This phase also prioritized transparency in funding selection, using evaluation systems based on capacity and development potential.
Key Activities
The Incubation Phase was structured around five core activities: Coaching, Mentoring, Training, Business Plan & Financial Proposal Submission, and the Pitching Competition.
- Coaching: Over 50 hours of 1:1 and group sessions delivered by four experienced coaches. Focus areas included diagnosing challenges, refining business models, and developing scale-up strategies.
- Mentoring: 11 expert mentors provided 25+ hours of small-group sessions focused on technology, product development, finance, social innovation, and long-term scaling strategies.
- Training: Three training sessions totaling over nine hours on business planning, pitching skills, and live pitching practice in Hanoi, boosting team confidence before the competition.
- Business Plan & Financial Proposal: All Top 25 teams were required to submit this key input before the competition in Hanoi, contributing 20% of the final score for evaluation.
- Pitching Competition: The Final Pitching and Awards Ceremony in Hanoi (June 25) gathered ~120 attendees, including ministry officials, embassies, leading sustainable enterprises, international organizations, investors, incubators, and media. Teams pitched their solutions for a chance to secure up to $30,000 in funding.
The Incubation Phase has concluded with highly promising results, paving the way for the upcoming 9-month Acceleration Phase. The programme organizers expect The Finalist to further develop and pilot their solutions, driving sustainable impact to help reduce plastic pollution and build a circular economy in Viet Nam.
