Environmental problems negatively impact human health and quality of life. In spite of growing awareness including different cleanup activities, there are not enough viable, sustainable, and scalable solutions to address these challenges.

This competition is part of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing campaign to EndPlasticPollution and KeepVietnamClean. Matching researchers with entrepreneurs through this campaign encourages collaboration between universities, the startup community, and the private sector to create sustainable solutions.

“Through this challenge, the U.S. Embassy is committed to helping nurture more viable, sustainable and scalable solutions to address Vietnam’s biggest environmental problems,” said U.S. Department of State’s Regional Public Engagement Officer Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Mrs. Fenghua Wang.

Support from Hatch!, Swiss EP, BK Holdings, and Startup Vietnam Foundation helped rapidly launch this initiative. Kova Paint, Vietnam Oman Investment (VOI) and VIC Partners also pledged support by providing one cash prize each to the winners.

John Sechrest, founder of the Seattle Angel Conference, the Lean Startup Seattle Group, and an expert on building startup ecosystems through Startup Weekends, gave the keynote presentation, “How to Form High-performing Teams.” Sechrest along with Aaron Everhart from Hatch! and others will facilitate the intensive 3-day boot camp.

The competition will be held from August to November 2018.