SURF 2026 Innovation Startup Competition Final
Twenty finalists—ten enterprise and ten student teams—presented to expert juries across AI, IT, environment, education, energy, fintech, blockchain and other applied innovation fields.
THE ERA OF RISING · PIONEERING INNOVATION
SURF Da Nang 2026
18–19 AUGUST 2026Da Nang
WHY IT MATTERS
Da Nang’s flagship annual innovation festival connected city policy, startup and student pipelines, investors, technology companies, universities and international networks—turning the ambition of an innovation city into visible programmes, products and partnerships.
01150 startup applications
0220 finalists in two categories
03Two-day innovation exhibition
04Da Nang’s fastest-growing ecosystem recognition
THE ERA OF RISING
From local startup pipeline to a globally connected innovation city.
City flagshipGovernment, founders, investors, universities and support organisations in one innovation platform
Technology-unicorn forumA global-growth conversation grounded in core technology, talent, capital and sandbox access
Startup competitionEnterprise and student tracks created stage-appropriate pathways into mentoring, capital and markets
Daegu–Da Nang bridgeA permanent technology and innovation showcase extends international cooperation beyond the eventAGENDA & CONTENT
The programme at a glance
Launch of the Daegu Technology & Innovation Showcase
Da Nang and Daegu opened a permanent demonstration and business-connection space, creating an institutional bridge for technology exchange, market access and joint innovation.
From Agentic AI to Responsible Impact
The side event examined traceability, controllability, inclusive voice AI and the decisions humans should not delegate as autonomous systems move into real-world use.
SURF Startup: Da Nang Young Builders 2026
The programme connected AI-native creation, practical founder skills and a candid student Q&A—shifting entrepreneurship education from inspiration toward the ability to build.
Opening Ceremony and ecosystem milestones
City leaders framed science, technology and innovation as growth infrastructure, recognised ecosystem partners, announced programme results and reinforced Da Nang’s global innovation positioning.
Aspiring to Build a Tech Unicorn from Da Nang
A five-person panel explored the capabilities behind globally influential technology companies: core technology, high-quality talent, founder ambition, sandbox access, capital and global market discipline.
Go Global — from local capability to international markets
Corporate and ecosystem perspectives translated internationalisation into operating choices: product localisation, market sequencing, partnerships, talent, sales execution and patient capital.
Innovation Exhibition, awards and market connections
Startups, universities, technology companies and international partners demonstrated solutions, met investors and customers, and connected the virtual exhibition with two days of physical interaction.
PRODUCTS & STARTUPS
SURF 2026 competition finalists
Mamibabi
Enterprise finalist
Fihub
Enterprise finalist
MECHIVA.AI
Enterprise finalist · Second Prize · AI marketing automation
Ba Ba Hoi
Enterprise finalist · Third Prize · Technology-enabled agricultural products
VN3T Smart Shrimp Farming System
Enterprise finalist · Smart aquaculture
Nano Copper AGOIN
Enterprise finalist · Advanced materials
DiFlow
Enterprise finalist · Digital finance solution
Solid Sky
Enterprise finalist · Consolation Prize
Circular BioEnergy
Enterprise finalist · First Prize · Circular waste treatment
SeLingo
Enterprise finalist · Visual English-learning platform with AI
DIA+
Student finalist
GlucoScent
Student finalist · Second Prize
Vietnam Heritage Visit
Student finalist · Smart tourism
Terra Sentinel
Student finalist
Hanora
Student finalist
DocuMind
Student finalist · AI-enabled document intelligence
AR Glasses for the Hearing Impaired
Student finalist · First Prize · Accessible communication
VSign
Student finalist · Third Prize
EVIRA
Student finalist · Consolation Prize · AI video analytics for e-commerce
Wild Betel Leaf Extract
Student finalist · Bio-based product
AN ECOSYSTEM PERSPECTIVE
SURF 2026 shows that Da Nang now has the convening power, policy narrative and founder interest to operate a credible regional innovation platform. The next challenge is conversion: every finalist, investor meeting, international partnership and sandbox conversation needs an accountable follow-up path to customers, pilots, investment, jobs and companies anchored in the city.
SWISS EP
Swiss EP supports the shift from a two-day flagship event to a year-round founder pipeline: strengthening partner organisations, improving founder preparation, connecting international expertise and following outcomes after pitching. At SURF 2026, the Da Nang Program Manager was also listed as a guest and contributed to the startup selection process.
Swiss EP VietnamPEOPLE & ORGANISATIONS
Profiles behind the network
PEOPLE · 24
Click a profile to open its background and institutional relationship.
ORGANISATIONS · 17
Institutions represented across the SURF Da Nang 2026 programme.
DEPENDENCY & RELATIONSHIP MODEL
How SURF converts city priorities and founder pipelines into pilots, companies and market outcomes.
Policy, talent and startup pipeline
City institutions, universities, 150 applicants and international networks supply the starting assets.
AI, core technology and global growth
Programme sessions connect technology choices with sandbox access, responsible innovation and market strategy.
Pitching, exhibition and matching
Twenty finalists meet juries, investors, corporates, mentors and ecosystem support organisations.
Pilots, capital, jobs and companies
Follow-up converts event visibility into customers, investment readiness, soft landing and ventures anchored in Da Nang.
REFERENCES