IPP SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS OF NEW COMPANIES AND INNOVATION SYSTEM DEVELOPERS IPP CO-CREATION WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY 2015

PHASED APPROACH Stage 1 The applicants will apply first for the first phase of funding, the resourcing grant, for the first months of the innovation work Includes Fast Track Innovation Training Program. By the end of the first phase, teams will be welcome to apply for an additional resourcing grant to continue their development activity. Stage 2 Additional resourcing grant for continuation of the development activity

TWO TYPES OF PROJECTS New innovative growth company projects (new company is a spin-off, start-up, new joint company, etc) - to plan and execute innovation projects - to develop highly innovative products and services to international markets Innovation system development projects - executed by consortia of stakeholders in local innovation system - to do innovation ecosystem development projects - to develop local innovation system and/or local innovation hub - to support new innovative growth companies

IPP’S SUPPORT IN 2015 Training 6 months Innovation Fast Track part time training program Required participation of all teams who receive IPP funding Connections to people, resources and markets Seed and early stage co-funding with a grant The first stage is 6-9 month Project involves planning, finding the key resources, connections, gaining more understanding and preparing the next stages Grant money will be paid based on paid costs: re-imbursement Accepted costs: Human resource costs, both internal project team and external expertise and services bought for the project. Preliminary maximum levels of grant funding: Product/service: 70%, max funding EUR / 750 M VND Innovation system: 70%, max funding EUR / 750 M VND for all consortia members together

IPP’S SUPPORT LATER Additional funding for the most promising teams and organizations who IPP supported in 2015 New funding call for new teams and organizations for funding, training, etc

STEPS TOWARDS GRANT FUNDING Interaction with IPP Workshops: Jan and Feb/March 2015 Prepare your project plan, including business planning Prepare the project proposal (funding application) IPP will launch the funding call in the spring 2015 If you receive support, make the funding agreement with IPP, participate in Fast Track Innovation Training program, and develop your innovation / solution for 6-9 months Later, apply for additional funding If you don’t receive support the first time, you are welcome to apply in the next round next end 2015

WHO CAN APPLY AND FOR WHAT New innovative growth company projects: A new innovative company can apply for the grant OR a team of at least three members can apply if they commit to establish a company in the first 6 months upon receiving the grant decision. The team and its project must work on new innovative solution (product or service) targeting international markets This is not for innovations that are improvements to existing products, or innovations that lower the production costs of existing products. The solution and related business model cannot be a direct copy of something that exists already. New company: Must be a legal Vietnamese company. No product or service on the market, yet. No limitations regarding ownership. At least three project’s core team members participate in the Innovation Fast Track part time training program. The cost of the training can be part of the budget of the project supported by IPP

WHO CAN APPLY AND FOR WHAT Innovation system developers: A consortium executes an innovation system development project. One or more organizations in the consortium can apply for the resourcing grant together. Each consortium member interested in IPP’s grants file in their own grant proposal A joint project plan to describe the project executed by the consortium. Vietnamese organizations who represent the innovation ecosystem in a region in Vietnam can apply for funding. Foreign organizations can be part of consortia. The consortium must be open for collaboration with any needed partners nationally and internationally. At least three individuals from core project team participate in the Innovation Fast Track training program of IPP

TYPES OF PROJECTS TO BE SUPPORTED Company projects: IPP will provide a resourcing grant for new innovative companies for the first stages in the development of their new innovative products or services to international markets. Innovation system projects: IPP will provide resourcing grants for Innovation System Development Projects for the first stages in the development of the local innovation ecosystems in Vietnam. Development of better services for new innovative growth companies. The potential content of the projects may include, but are not limited to: development of a new incubator creation of new services for existing incubators planning of a new funding program in the province adding startup services to existing technology park initiating a regional cluster growth program

WHAT IS NOT FUNDED The funding for projects in this call is not meant for: organizations who are not legal Vietnamese entities ideas that are in research or early stage of the development of product/service projects where participants are not bringing in their own funding directly copying something that exists on the market already project content no innovation project where organization/s do not have enough financial and legal capability

SELECTION CRITERIA The awarding of Resourcing Grants will be based on competitive, transparent and fair evaluation process that will ensure the best innovation projects and the best teams will be chosen to be awarded the resourcing grants. Company projects: The applications will be evaluated based on project team, financial feasibility (and co-funding by entrepreneurs and their investors), collaboration, market and user needs, solution (product or service), benefits and customer value, competition, budget and finances, and effect of IPP funding. Innovation system projects: The applications will be evaluated based on project team, co- funding, collaboration, needs in the innovation ecosystem and in the new innovative companies in the region, solution to be developed, benefits, positioning, budget and finances, and effect of IPP funding

SELECTION PROCESS early and continuous the decision making process and internal roles are based on best practices in European countries marketing events and capacity building workshops to educate and help potential applicants to define the ideas and prepare the applications expressions of interest to start interaction with IPP members of evaluation teams and IPP interact with the applicants in the beginning of the evaluation process, before the decision making, after the decision has been made and throughout the execution of the projects the evaluation teams include experts from IPP stakeholders and national & international expert network.

FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Can be found on the website of IPP:

FQA 1. We are not start-up/new company (Reasons: we are an existing company/ we haven’t started company yet/etc.), can we send EoI and join IPP co-creation event? Answer: Yes. It is important to have new company/entity at the time of funding contract, not now. 2. Consortium is needed for inno-system development. we are only one org, can we join? Answer: yes, if you are open for to cooperation we’ll see if IPP can match you with other possible partners to form a new consortium. 3. We are wondering if our products/services are good enough for IPP support ?(and a long description of their product/services followed) Answer: Please send EoI to and join us in our co-creation events to be held in Jan in 4 cites: Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City for more discussion with IPP’s experts 4. I can’t find the EoI templates in IPP website? Answer: EOI template can be downloaded from the link in: EoI for innovation system development teams & EoI for new innovative companiesoI for innovation system development teamsEoI for new innovative companies 5. How much can we receive from IPP for financial funding? Answer: the maximum amounts that IPP can provide for development of the innovative product or services at the early stage are EUR 30,000 for Innovative new innovative company project, and EUR 50,000 for the innovation system developers project. The most promising project will be invited to apply for additional fund for expansion of the project turning to commercialization. 6. If we are both new innovative company and innovation system developers, should we fill in both EoI templates or just one? Answer: If you are both a new company and innovation system developer, you should send EoI that matches your project interest: If you will develop innovation system, then EoI for innovation system development project. If you will develop new product or service to international market, then EoI for new innovative growth company project. 7. What kinds of supports IPP can give? Answer: Financial support is only an instrument for development of innovative product or services, our main support is innovation expertise, capacity building and networking. The key issue here is the innovative idea that can be commercialization to sell in the market. So please do not hesitate to discuss with the IPP expert of your solution. 8. Can I apply for support if I am not Vietnamese? Answer: The program is open to international applicants, and you do not need to have a legal entity in place before the awards are granted. 9. Do I need to have a Vietnamese legal entity in order to apply for support? Answer: No, but if you are selected for support, you will need to have a Vietnamese entity in place in order to receive the funds. 10. The funds can be used to pay 70% of HR costs, so they can not be used to pay for rent, equipment, software, etc? Answer: The funds are transferred to reimburse payroll costs. What you do with the salaries after it’s paid out is up to you. 11. Does the Fellowship Program require a Bachelor from an university abroad? Answer: Yes, it means you should have studied abroad, or at an international university in VN, like RMIT or another English speaking program, but we also do make exceptions.

NEXT STEPS Upcoming workshop Events if need or follow the IPP website Start and continue work with your team to plan your future activities, to develop your team, to understand the market need, … Send EoI if you did not send it already Participate in the next IPP Workshop Apply for funding and training support in the Spring 2015 to receive the decision on funding in the Summer 2015