RfP for the strengthening of national innovation ecosystem through Vietnam NIC (Албания - Тендер #64232080)

The “Vitalizing the Viet Nam National Innovation Center” project is funded by the government of Japan under the Japanese Supplementary Budget to address significant development challenges in Vietnams innovation ecosystem, particularly limited access to capital, fragmentation among stakeholders, and a skills gap in critical innovation areas. Despite Viet Nams rise to 46th in the Global Innovation Index, the country faces barriers that hinder its transition to an innovation-driven economy. These include a decline in financial investments for startups, regulatory complexities, and a lack of cohesive collaboration among government, academia, and industry. Additionally, the workforce suffers from a shortage of skilled professionals in key areas like technology and engineering, exacerbated by gender disparities in the tech sector.

The international consultancy firm is essential to support NIC role in strengthening the Viet Nams innovation ecosystem. The firm provides strategic expertise for establishing the Vietnam Innovation Fund (VIF), fostering stakeholder collaboration, finalizing the business model for the NIC Hoa Lac and the Rapid test and Prototype Hub to make the space convenient for startups to develop their business, designing and implementing acceleration programs for startups. While the International consultancy firm provides a clear guidance on business model and acceleration programs for startups at NIC Hoa Lac, and a practical business model for the Rapid test and Prototype Hub in NIC Hoa Lac, they also need to work closely with the other consultancy firms which will be hired to support the establishment of the Rapid test and Prototype Hub. Such clear guidance aims to help those consultancy firms get a clearer understanding of how to renovate the Rapid test and Prototype Hub and which equipment to be installed to attract as many startups as possible to the Rapid test and Prototype Hub at NIC Hoa Lac and optimize the effectiveness of its operation. The international consultancy firm also needs to closely work with UNDP to design and implement business development support activities including lab management, coordination and communication/media to make the Hub at NIC Hoa Lac work effectively.

This consultancy firm aims to support UNDP in fostering a robust innovation ecosystem in Viet Nam through several key initiatives. Primarily, it will contribute to the establishment of the VIF by designing an effective operational and governance model and developing strategies to attract both domestic and international investors. The firm will also support the collaboration enhancement among innovation stakeholders by creating industry-academia partnerships and organizing innovation forums. Additionally, the International consultancy firm is responsible for finalizing the business model for NIC Hoa Lac including the Rapid test and Prototype Hub, designing and implementing acceleration programs for startups. Based on this business model, the consultancy firm coordinates with UNDP to oversight the design and set up of the Rapid test and Prototype Hub to ensure that it serves well the start- up community to develop their businesses. Furthermore, the consultancy seeks to improve skills and capabilities in critical innovation areas through knowledge exchange programs, training workshops, and the facilitation of partnerships for innovation & investment matchmaking.