GEVA- Green Export Incubator and Accelerator

Giới thiệu

GEVA – Vietnam’s First Green Export Incubation and Acceleration Model

GEVA – Green Export Incubation and Acceleration Program through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) is a KisStartup initiative and the first green export incubation and acceleration model in Vietnam, designed to support enterprises in strengthening their export capabilities through the effective and substantive application of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS).

GEVA goes beyond helping businesses merely “meet standards” for export. Its core objective is to build long-term, sustainable export capabilities, enabling Vietnamese enterprises to respond to increasingly stringent requirements on environmental responsibility, social impact, and traceability from developed markets such as the EU, the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, and other premium markets.

What is GEVA and why is it a pioneering model?

Unlike traditional export support programmes that focus on short-term trade promotion or one-off certification support, GEVA is designed as a comprehensive green export incubation and acceleration model, where VSS are not treated as an end goal, but as a foundation for building long-term competitiveness.

GEVA helps enterprises address several critical questions:

  • How can VSS be integrated into the business model, rather than applied only at the production stage?
  • How can sustainability standards be transformed into market advantages, brand narratives, and negotiation tools with international buyers?
  • What must enterprises prepare in terms of governance, data systems, traceability, and environmental–social impact management to meet new technical barriers such as ESG requirements, Net Zero commitments, CBAM, and Due Diligence regulations?

This approach positions GEVA as Vietnam’s first pilot modelfor green export incubation and acceleration based on VSS, creating a systematic linkage between standards, business models, and export markets.

Objectives of GEVA

GEVA aims to support Vietnamese agricultural enterprises to:

  • Enhance export readiness for developed markets through the substantive application of VSS such as Fairtrade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance
  • Shift from a mindset of “certification for sales” to a long-term green export strategy
  • Build business models, operations, and brands anchored in sustainability, traceability, and impact measurement
  • Reduce risks when entering markets with high technical barriers, while improving access to international buyers and partners

GEVA Green Export Incubation & Acceleration Programme 2025–2026

The project is implemented under the Swiss Trade programme, funded by the Swiss Government through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and managed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with national partners.

In Vietnam, the programme is operated by KisStartup during the period April 2025 – April 2026.

At the core of GEVA is a multi-month green export incubation and acceleration programme, designed with a clear and structured roadmap.

GEVA selects approximately 23 high-potential agricultural enterprises from nearly 40 initial participants, with priority given to the following sectors:

  • Spices
  • Coffee
  • Nuts and other value-added agricultural products

Participating enterprises receive not only training, but also 1:1 coaching, export readiness diagnostics, business model refinement, market strategy development, and preparation for assessments and international market connections.

What support do GEVA participants receive?

GEVA supports enterprises through a set of tightly practice-oriented activities, including: 

  • In-depth training on green exports, VSS, and requirements of major importing markets, delivered in multiple locations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Da Nang, and the Central Highlands
  • Post-training 1:1 coaching and mentoring, helping enterprises review production processes, supply chains, business models, and export roadmaps
  • An online toolkit enabling enterprises to self-assess green export readiness, VSS compliance levels, and identify key gaps for improvement
  • International market connections, including conferences, workshops, B2B activities, and participation in trade fairs such as Vietnam International Sourcing Expo 2025 with a dedicated sustainable agriculture showcase

The significance of GEVA for Vietnamese agricultural enterprises

GEVA does not merely support individual enterprises; it contributes to shaping a new approach to agricultural exports in Vietnam, at a time when global markets increasingly prioritise sustainability.

Through GEVA, enterprises are able to:

  • Substantively upgrade product standards in line with VSS
  • Strengthen governance, data management, and traceability capabilities
  • Improve negotiation capacity and access to international buyers
  • Gradually build Vietnam’s sustainable agricultural brands in global markets

GEVA stands as Vietnam’s first green export incubation and acceleration model, laying the groundwork for an export approach based on sustainability standards, enterprise capabilities, and long-term market integration.

Project information: https://www.greenexport.vn

Enterprises interested in participating may contact KisStartup for tailored guidance on suitable engagement pathways.