Vietnam and Japan Launch Deep-Tech Startup Accelerator

A new partnership between Vietnam and Japan is giving ambitious tech startups a clear path from brilliant idea to real-world impact.

The two countries launched NIC Scale X this week in Hanoi, a 13-week intensive program designed to accelerate deep-tech startups working on solutions the world desperately needs. Healthcare innovations, clean energy breakthroughs, smart manufacturing, and agricultural technology will all get a boost through this collaboration.

The program isn't just another pitch competition. It's a full acceleration journey that connects startups with investors, corporate partners, and mentors who can help turn prototypes into products people can actually use.

About 80% of the spots will go to Vietnamese startups, with 20% reserved for Japanese companies. This mix creates natural opportunities for technology transfer and helps both countries learn from each other's strengths.

Getting in won't be easy. The selection process starts with 40 startups receiving group training, narrows to 20 who pitch to partners and investors, and ultimately selects just 10 finalists for the full program.

Those 10 will get personalized mentorship, expert workshops, and direct access to investors. The best part? Selected startups can travel to Singapore or Japan for immersive programs that expose them to international markets and potential customers.

The launch builds on serious momentum. Last year, similar Vietnam-Japan programs supported nearly 100 applicants nationwide, with 12 startups advancing into cross-border partnerships. Another AI-focused accelerator attracted over 60 applications and selected 9 teams. Together, these programs enabled more than 50 business meetings that moved ideas closer to commercialization.

Behind the scenes, Vietnam is building permanent infrastructure to support innovation. Participants at this week's launch event got a virtual reality preview of the future Japan-Vietnam Innovation Hub at NIC Hoa Lac, a physical space where startups, corporations, researchers, and investors will work side by side.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership does more than help individual companies succeed. It strengthens the entire innovation ecosystem in both countries, creating pathways for knowledge sharing that didn't exist before. When a Vietnamese healthcare startup connects with a Japanese manufacturer, both companies grow stronger and patients in both countries benefit.

The program also signals something bigger about how countries can work together. Rather than competing for talent and investment, Vietnam and Japan are pooling resources to solve shared challenges like climate change and healthcare access.

Applications for NIC Scale X are open now. For 10 lucky startups, this could be the bridge between a great idea and genuine impact that improves lives across Southeast Asia and beyond.