GEN Singapore and Lac Hong University Join Forces to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem Connectivity

Facilitated by the National Startup Program under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), representing the Global Entrepreneurship Network Vietnam (GEN Vietnam), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between GEN Singapore and Lac Hong University (LHU), located in Dong Nai City, Vietnam.

The MoU exchange ceremony was honored by the presence of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, along with senior government officials from both Vietnam and Singapore.

The signing took place on May 29, 2026, during the Vietnam - Singapore Tech Connect Forum, organized as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Singapore. Under the agreement, the two parties will explore and implement collaborative initiatives based on a Public–Private–People (3P) partnership model, aiming to create a supportive environment for startups, young founders, and innovation-driven projects. The partnership seeks to bridge Vietnam’s high-quality talent pool with Singapore’s innovation, investment, and market networks.

The MoU was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Thanh Hien, Rector of Lac Hong University, and Mr. Jayren Teo, Executive Director of GEN Singapore. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Jayren Teo described the partnership with Lac Hong University as an important step toward strengthening entrepreneurial connectivity across Southeast Asia. He noted that GEN Singapore is committed to creating practical pathways for young founders to access global growth opportunities while leveraging Vietnam’s strengths in talent, knowledge, and innovation.

One of the key pillars of the collaboration will be the development of entrepreneurship education and incubation programs for students and faculty members. The two organizations plan to jointly organize intensive training courses, workshops, startup acceleration programs, and hands-on learning activities designed to enhance innovation capabilities and entrepreneurial skills among future business leaders.

In addition, GEN Singapore and Lac Hong University will work together to host international entrepreneurship events, including hackathons, startup pitching competitions, innovation showcases, and an envisioned annual Vietnam - Singapore Entrepreneurship Week. These initiatives are expected to provide valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among startups from both countries.

Another important area of cooperation involves facilitating access to funding and investment opportunities. Through GEN Singapore’s extensive network of partners, promising startups will have opportunities to connect with angel investors, venture capital firms, family offices, and corporate partners, helping accelerate commercialization efforts, business expansion, and sustainable growth.

The partnership will also explore joint research and innovation initiatives in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green technology, and healthcare innovation. At the same time, both parties will share best practices in building university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems, developing incubation models, and strengthening industry - academia collaboration.

As Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem becomes increasingly interconnected and dynamic, stronger collaboration among universities, entrepreneurship support organizations, and international investment networks is widely recognized as a critical factor in enhancing startup competitiveness. The partnership between GEN Singapore and Lac Hong University is expected to create new opportunities for Vietnamese startups, particularly those in Dong Nai City, to access global resources, expand into international markets, and participate more actively in the regional innovation ecosystem.