Qualcomm® Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2020-2021
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Since establishing an office in Hanoi in 2003 and subsequently in Ho Chi Minh City in 2014, Qualcomm has played an important role in the way people communicate in Vietnam – including 2G, 3G, 4G and now 5G. We have successfully collaborated with leading Vietnamese OEMs and mobile network operators for many years, and recently have been working with the industry and government to realize Industry 4.0 policy and “Make in Vietnam” objectives.
In December 2019, we launched the Qualcomm® Vietnam Innovation Challenge for innovative startups in promising new technology areas in Vietnam. This Challenge, which involves the support of Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, will enable the development of Vietnam’s rising technology ecosystem by identifying and nurturing innovative small- and medium-sized companies who are designing products in 5G, IoT, artificial intelligence, smart cities, wearable devices, and multimedia utilizing Qualcomm® mobile platforms and technologies and can benefit from our expertise in a number of areas.
The Challenge will be open to any company or team that meets the application criteria. After a series of roadshows to introduce the Challenge, companies are invited to apply. From these applications, a short selection will be given some financial support and invited for months of technical and business incubation. Finally a jury will select the top three who will receive prize money and post-Challenge support from Qualcomm Technologies.
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Watch our QVIC overview webinar from March 12, 2020
Watch our QVIC webinar on Vietnam's 5G Future
Download the webinar slides
2020-2021 Program Benefits
Financial Grants to Support Incubation: Up to 10 shortlisted companies will receive grants of USD $10,000 each to support incubation. At the conclusion of the incubation period, the top 3 finalists will receive additional prize money of USD $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000 respectively. Qualcomm Technologies will not request any equity or intellectual property ownership in exchange for this financial support.
Patent Filing Incentive: Qualcomm Technologies will reimburse USD $2,500 for each utility patent application filed with either the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam which relate to proposals for QVIC 2020-2021. Limited to two patent applications per startup, or USD $5,000.
Access to Accelerator Program Services: Qualcomm Technologies will provide workshops and training on a range of topics such as operations, customer development, competitive analysis, product management, global market entry strategy, mastering the pitch, intellectual property, and fundraising. Frequent coaching and mentoring sessions from subject matter experts in these areas will be provided free of charge to shortlisted startups.
Ongoing Technical and R&D Support: Qualcomm Technologies will offer technical support to shortlisted startups at no additional cost, which will include business and technical guidance, access to our lab in Hanoi, as well as problem-solving support from our local teams. Lab capabilities include ML/AI enablement, camera lab, audio lab, RF chamber, thermal, and modem troubleshooting.
See official rules for full details
Qualcomm® Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2020-2021 is a single cycle incubation from November 2020 to August 2021.
Application Phase (February to September 2020): Webinar and roadshows to introduce the programs & online submission of ideas/products.
Shortlist (October 2020): Up to 10 teams will be selected and will be awarded money of USD $10,000 to support product incubation and development. Shortlisted companies will be featured in our PR and related activities to promote QVIC.
Incubation (November 2020 to August 2021): Shortlisted companies will be supported through an incubation period including seminars from subject matter experts, technical support from Qualcomm Technologies, and assistance from Intellectual Property specialists. The goal of incubation is to develop commercially ready products or functional prototypes on the path to commercialization.
Finale (Late 2021): One winner and two runner ups will be selected by a jury of industry leaders and receive cash awards of USD $100,000, $75,000 or $50,000 respectively.
Note: the above timeline may be subject to change.
©2020 Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies.