As one of Southeast Asia’s leading countries, Vietnam has successfully boosted innovation and startup ecosystem by engaging with young people and communities. Under Shinhan S² Bridge strategic initiative, Shinhan Financial Group Hope Foundation generously supported United Way Worldwide (UWW) and Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) to design the Vietnam Living Lab.

The Vietnam Living lab offers the platform where companies and startups gain access to community organizations and citizens to seek real-time inputs to customize their products. Participants enjoy opportunities to contribute to advance tech solutions by creating social value. Based on extensive partnerships, the Vietnam Living Lab bridges startups and the community with citizens. We aim to provide financial, human, and social capital to support social ventures that are implementing new and innovative solutions to the most urgent ESG-related challenges toward 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Various sector leaders came together to help design and execute different models. The Vietnam Alliance of Civil Society Organizations was convened to facilitate and support the process. Dedicated partners for this new venture include Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), Research for Education and Career Help Institute (REACH), Disability Research & Capacity Development (DRD), Sao Mai Center, Nguyen Dinh Chieu School and other public schools, Hanoi University of Fine Art, National Economic University, Ton Duc Thang University, Hanoi Architect University, and HCM Architect University.  Startup partners include Aimmo, Zookiz/Platfarm, Overflow, LBS Tech, Tripath, and KEII. The project is blessed and endorsed by Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology, National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), Youth Union, and ASEAN Foundation.