KisStartup

In the global context, green, sustainable standards, and ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance) have increasingly become not just "external requirements" but a core foundation for businesses to affirm their position and create long-term export opportunities. Many Vietnamese businesses are still accustomed to a passive approach – only changing when requested by partners. However, real-world examples from successful businesses show that proactively starting from within – from the business model and internal governance – creates a creative path, aligns with resources, and provides sustainable competitive advantages.

KisStartup has compiled and analyzed 7 proactive steps to help businesses enter green export effectively:

Step 1: Analyze the Current Business Model and Internal ESG
The starting point is not from the outside, but from within the business itself. Dissect your current business model according to the 9 components (Canvas) and ask: What is the level of E (Environmental), S (Social), and G (Governance)? What needs improvement?
For example: Does the production process cause waste of materials? Is the team fairly compensated? Is the governance system transparent and tracking ESG effectiveness?
From there, develop a specific strategy to integrate ESG into your business model rather than just treating it as a slogan.

Step 2: Tell the Green Story of Your Products and Services
Today's global customers are not just buying products, they are buying the story and values behind them. Be proactive in sharing your sustainability journey:

• How are farmers supported?

• How does your production process save water and energy?

• How has your company reduced emissions, recycled, or contributed to society?
  Use your website, social media, catalogs, and fairs to build trust and differentiate yourself before the market raises questions.

Step 3: Embrace the First Trial Orders
Once you’ve shared your story, the market will provide feedback. Small trial orders from abroad are opportunities for testing. At this stage, businesses should:

• Understand the needs and consumption habits of international customers.

• Compare with current capacity and resources.

• Identify gaps to be filled for further progress.
  Be proactive in learning from the market through each trial order to adjust quickly and minimize risk.

Step 4: Accurately Understand Market Criteria and Requirements
Each market and customer has different standards. Instead of vaguely aiming to be “green,” clarify specific criteria:

• What is the maximum allowable chemical content?

• How is traceability handled?

• Which certifications are mandatory?
  Proactively reach out to trade organizations, participate in programs like GEVA or SwissTrade, or communicate directly with partners to “translate” requirements into actionable internal processes.

Step 5: Negotiate and Make Investment Decisions
At this stage, businesses need to face reality: with outputs in place, it’s time to invest. Negotiate with customers on purchase commitments, then decide:

• Invest in new technology to meet standards.

• Enhance human resources to manage ESG.

• Adjust processes for greater transparency.
  This is the “risk-balancing” step between market requirements and internal capabilities.

Step 6: Complete Certifications for a Specific Market
Instead of spreading across multiple certifications at once, focus on a priority market and achieve sustainable certifications (Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, etc.).
Certifications are not only a “pass” but also a commitment that demonstrates your ESG journey.

Step 7: Expand the Market – Continuously Adjust the Business Model
Once successful in one market, use that experience and evidence to expand into other markets.
At the same time, continuously ask: Does the current business model still align with the new ESG context? What needs to change? The mindset of “proactively checking and adjusting” will help businesses remain flexible and not passively follow trends.
Green export is not just about “meeting partner requirements,” but a long-term strategy to create value and sustainable differentiation for Vietnamese businesses. By starting with their own business model, creatively integrating ESG, telling their story, and expanding step by step, businesses can proactively seize opportunities and design their own path to the global market that fits their resources and advantages.

To accompany businesses on this journey, KisStartup and the GEVA project have developed a set of 3 measurement tools to help businesses self-assess, self-adjust, and proactively shape their green export path:

• Export Readiness Measurement Tool – Helps businesses know where they are in their export journey and what they need to prepare.

• Green Export Compliance Measurement Tool – Compares processes and products with green standards (VSS, Organic, Fairtrade, etc.).

• Green Business Model Measurement Tool – Analyzes the current business model and finds creative paths that align with E, S, and G elements.

Businesses can start today by using these tools to map their own path instead of waiting for partner requirements.

In the increasingly competitive global landscape, the business model is the "heart" that determines the survival of a company. Many businesses still view the business model as just a diagram hung on the wall, designed once and left unchanged for years. However, KisStartup has a completely different approach: the business model is a dynamic tool, constantly being tested, adjusted, and adapted.

Business Model – The Core and Driving Force for Change
The starting point for every project KisStartup undertakes is always the company's current business model. From there, KisStartup collaborates with businesses to analyze the big picture:

• Emerging trends that are having a strong impact (technology, market, consumer behavior, policies).

• Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges within each component of the model.

• The flexibility and adaptability in response to changes.

This process helps businesses clearly see their position, not passively following trends, but proactively designing their own paths, leveraging existing advantages, and creating room for future innovation.

Digital Transformation – The Foundation Tool for Business Model Innovation
KisStartup sees digital transformation not just as a technology project but as the tool and driving force for innovating the business model. When a company begins to digitalize processes, data, and distribution channels, they are essentially restructuring how they create, distribute, and capture value.

This means that digital transformation is, in fact, business model innovation. Companies that understand this no longer struggle with the question “What’s the point of digital transformation?”, but instead set clear goals: increasing customer reach, optimizing operations, opening new markets, or creating new revenue streams.

KisStartup’s Creative Approach – Combining Training, Mentoring, and Service Provision
What sets KisStartup apart is its multi-layered and integrated approach:

• Training and Raising Awareness: Going beyond theory, KisStartup's programs are designed with practical applications, helping leaders and business teams realize how their business model can change in the new context.

• Hands-on Support: After training, KisStartup directly accompanies businesses, from analyzing the model, testing solutions, to adjusting strategies.

• Providing Necessary Services: Instead of letting businesses "fend for themselves" after training, KisStartup provides technical services and in-depth consulting – from building digital channels, analyzing data, to redesigning operational processes – to ensure sustainable changes are maintained.

Towards a Sustainable Innovative Ecosystem
With this approach, KisStartup is not just a training or consulting entity, but a comprehensive platform supporting businesses throughout their innovation journey. Each project is both a process of capacity building and a process of creating new services to nurture a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

In the digital and green era, businesses can only go far when their business model is flexible enough to adapt and creative enough to break through. And KisStartup has chosen the business model itself as the “key” to unlocking that path.

For the first time in Vietnam, an export incubator has been established with a hybrid model: both nurturing businesses that are not yet ready and accelerating those that have already developed. The unique feature of this model is that it is designed using a funnel approach, helping to expand knowledge and gradually enhance the capacity of businesses in their journey to access sustainable international markets.

The project, 'Green Export Incubator and Accelerator Program through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)' – GEVA, will be implemented from April 2025 to April 2026, funded by the Swiss Government through the Swiss Economic Affairs Directorate (SECO), managed by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and the International Trade Center (ITC), and operated by KisStartup Joint Stock Company – a private unit with rich experience in innovation and creativity.

A Meaningful Milestone After 10 Years of Steadfast Innovation

At the National Exhibition of Achievements—held by the Ministry of Science and Technology to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day—we were deeply honored to see the KisStartup logo featured on the map of Vietnam’s innovation and startup ecosystem. This recognition is not only a source of pride for us, but also a reminder to remain humble, dedicated, and resilient throughout our decade-long journey supporting entrepreneurs.

In a world eager for quick, headline-grabbing success, we believe that true change comes from perseverance. Every startup we accompany is more than a figure in a report; it is a vital piece of a larger picture. Every trainer we mentor will, in turn, pass knowledge to hundreds of students in the years ahead. That is how we understand sustainable innovation: not by creating one-off miracles, but by laying the foundation for positive change to multiply on its own.

Execution Matters More Than Ideas

After years of working with hundreds of startups, KisStartup has learned a crucial truth: good ideas can come from anywhere, but the ability to turn those ideas into reality is rare. That’s why entrepreneurship isn’t a race against time—it’s a race to shorten the learning curve and build the fundamental capabilities needed to transform ideas into sustainable action.

When implementing donor-funded projects in general—and the IDAP program in particular—we chose not to simply teach businesses how to use digital tools. Instead, we approached it as an inclusive, market-system-oriented effort to develop a comprehensive digital transformation ecosystem. We put businesses and their needs at the center. For the ecosystem’s players to work effectively together, every stakeholder must strengthen their own capacity. Once that happens, universities can connect with enterprises, service providers can link with users, and a self-sustaining support network can emerge. This process has deepened our understanding of our own role.

Along the way, KisStartup has helped startups expand their markets. Companies like So Ban Hang and Sac Moc Tinh not only brought technology to new audiences but also uncovered fresh needs. To foster local ecosystem models, we’ve invested in understanding our partners’ requirements as well as in sharpening our own expertise. Our organization and projects serve as incubators where all ecosystem stakeholders can participate and grow.

Inclusive Innovation, Broader Connections

One of the most valuable lessons from our innovation journey came through the IDAP4D program, where we opened opportunities for people with disabilities. At first, we thought we were creating chances for a specific group. But with creative methods and flexible approaches, locally run service providers led by people with disabilities began to take shape. From these efforts, a model for enabling persons with disabilities to join the digital transformation has emerged—one that is closely intertwined with the local ecosystem.

Responsibility on the National Innovation Map

Seeing the KisStartup logo on Vietnam’s national startup and innovation map brought not just pride, but also a profound sense of responsibility. It’s a call to keep laying small but steady building blocks so that, one day, innovation will no longer be the privilege of a select few, but the shared capability of an entire community.

Presence at the Exhibition Extended to 15/09/2025

Being featured in the national exhibition—whose duration the Prime Minister has decided to extend until 15/09/2025—is not only a recognition, but also a daily reminder of our commitment. The past ten years are only the beginning. We believe that with every small yet steady step, KisStartup will continue to be a trusted companion, helping transform aspirations into reality and ideas into positive impact for the community and society.

KisStartup – Knowledge Transformed into Action, Aspirations into Reality!

Innovation for Sustainable Community Development

• Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/kisstartup
• Website: https://www.kisstartup.com/
• Email: hello@kisstartup.com
   

On the evenings of June 27th at the Foreign Language Dormitory and June 29th at the Me Tri Dormitory, the DormLab program – an initiative by the Student Support Center – VNU in collaboration with KisStartup – brought inspiring, practical sharing sessions that sparked innovative thinking for students residing in the two largest dormitories of VNU.

The Startup Journey: Real Insights from Those Who Have Gone Before

Apologies for the confusion. Here's the revised version with proper nouns written without diacritics:

At both sessions, Ms. Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh – CEO of KisStartup – shared her nearly 10-year journey working with the startup community in Vietnam, from the early stages to building a supporting ecosystem for training, connecting, and incubating innovative startups.

Rather than focusing solely on success stories, Ms. Minh offered a more realistic perspective on the journey – highlighting failures, personal struggles, and how to overcome them with inner strength and an unwavering spirit of continuous learning.

Two sessions, two different atmospheres – One shared spirit: Ready to take action.

At the University of Languages & International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi Dormitory (June 27), the program took place in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The students, primarily from the fields of social sciences, languages, and education, proactively asked insightful questions about entrepreneurship with limited resources, how to identify problems from personal experiences, and the role of social knowledge in innovation. Some initial idea groups began to form based on everyday issues related to living, studying, and work.

At the Me Tri Dormitory (June 29), the atmosphere was more dynamic and practical, with the participation of many students from technical, technology, and natural science fields. The discussion revolved around challenges such as energy consumption, plastic waste, and the impact of natural disasters on students from mountainous areas. This led to the formation of student groups that immediately began working on solutions within the dormitory.

Both sessions shared a valuable common trait: the proactive spirit, open-mindedness, and eagerness to take action from the students – despite their different starting points, fields of study, or strengths.

Connecting with Practice and the Startup Community
To give students a more concrete view of entrepreneurship, the program introduced several partner businesses, including:

• BTR Global – an innovation investment firm.

• Wu Song Capital – a venture capital fund.

• EM Farm – a smart agriculture startup model.

• And especially Ca Phe Bay – a business bringing real products for students to try, provide feedback, and connect with reality.

Through the product display section, students at both dormitories had the opportunity to directly experience, evaluate, and learn from real business models, instead of just listening to theoretical concepts.

Long-term Partnership with Students via the NEXA15 Platform
KisStartup also introduced the NEXA15 learning platform to students – a place offering courses and resources on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, helping students accumulate knowledge, develop skills, and build a solid mindset from an early stage.

DormLab is not just a series of workshops; it is a call to action for students: start with the problems around you, from the dormitory – where you live – and work together to turn small ideas into big changes.

KisStartup is thrilled to collaborate with the Student Support Center – VNU in designing and implementing the DormLab program. We would like to thank the students at the University of Languages & International Studies Dormitory and Me Tri Dormitory for their warm reception, positive interaction, and readiness to take action.

See you in the next DormLab sessions!

Four digital service providers have participated in the Vietnam E-Commerce and Digital Technology Application Forum. This marks their first direct involvement at the heart of the digital transformation wave, where concepts are tested and turned into practical solutions.

The exhibition will open doors for impromptu encounters. A question about optimizing shipping costs might lead to a discussion on logistics in remote areas. A sharing about challenges in digital marketing may inspire a direction rooted in the strength of local culture.
It is moments like these that create the true value of this trip. When hearing how a startup in Ho Chi Minh City expanded its business model, participants began to consider the possibility of scaling their own services. When witnessing a business solution in action, they asked themselves: "Which part could be simplified to suit local services?"
After the trip, the IDAP project will host exchange sessions for participants to share their learnings. Valuable ideas will be developed into concrete plans and become a reference for other units in the community. The ultimate goal is to enhance collective digital transformation capabilities through targeted learning.

ABOUT THE IDAP PROJECT
The Inclusive Digital Acceleration Program (IDAP) – Strengthening an inclusive digital transformation ecosystem for SMEs focusing on agriculture and tourism in the provinces of Lào Cai and Sơn La – is a project funded by GREAT (Gender Equality Through Enhancing Agricultural Production and Tourism Development) and implemented by KisStartup from 2024 to 2027.
The GREAT project is an initiative funded by the Australian government and managed by Cowater International. The first phase of GREAT was implemented from 2017-2022, and the second phase (GREAT 2) will be conducted from 2024-2027 with a total investment of AUD 67.4 million from the Australian Government.

For any inquiries, please contact:
Fanpage: KisStartup
Website: www.kisstartup.com
Email: hello@kisstartup.com
Phone: (+84) 0396292442 (Ms. Xuan)

To promote the connectivity of the national digital transformation ecosystem, the IDAP Project is organizing a learning tour at the Vietnam Sourcing Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City from September 4-6, 2025, for prominent digital service providers.

Ten years of working with startups, universities, and businesses have given us a clearer view of the gap between smart technological ideas and meeting real-world needs. We have witnessed the struggles and uncertainties of scientists along this path.

Through technology-scouting projects for corporations and enterprises, we identified a key issue: although Vietnamese scientists possess strong research foundations and the ability to develop advanced technologies, the commercialization of these technologies into practical market-ready products often lacks the right orientation. The main reason lies in limited experience applying technology to production, building viable business strategies, and understanding customer needs. These are essential factors in turning research into useful solutions that can compete with existing products.

The core issue is the lack of connection.

Within Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, KisStartup believes innovation struggles to thrive when confined to narrow frameworks without strong community linkages. The world is facing major environmental, economic, and social challenges, and solutions cannot come from a single country or region alone. Connecting with and learning from global technology hubs and innovation platforms is critical to enable Vietnamese researchers to access advanced methods, technologies, and models. This, in turn, helps refine and expand their solutions, effectively addressing local problems while gradually creating opportunities for Vietnamese technologies to reach international markets with shared characteristics.

LIF Global: Why We Became the National Partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering

We chose to join the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) program for three main reasons:

• The program functions like a comprehensive commercialization accelerator, enabling scientists to fully focus on developing their ideas.

• The Royal Academy of Engineering’s network opens doors to experts, investors, and leading policymakers.

• With over 1,500 alumni worldwide, LIF offers a global community and ecosystem that, if leveraged, provides powerful mutual support.

What impressed us most is LIF Global’s emphasis on developing scientists’ business mindset and entrepreneurial skills, guiding them to find pathways for technical solutions to address real-world challenges. When learning about UK innovations in sustainable production and circular economy models, we saw their potential application for Vietnam’s small and medium enterprises—a business segment common across developing countries.

The program also encourages women’s participation, aligning with our philosophy of inclusive innovation. We believe diversity of perspectives leads to more effective and creative solutions.

Lessons from LIF Global 2025

In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected for LIF Global, and seven scientists successfully completed training in the UK. This result demonstrates the systemic potential of international collaboration that we have been building.

Upon returning to Vietnam, these scientists brought not only technical expertise but also new methods, fresh perspectives, and essential networks. These resources will help them implement and refine projects locally, delivering real-world impact.

However, successful technology transfer still requires deep understanding of local contexts. While UK approaches are effective, applying them in Vietnam demands knowledge of customer needs, legal frameworks, and cultural factors. This is where KisStartup’s long-standing experience becomes the key to bridging international innovations with local realities.

These seven scientists have become ambassadors of Vietnam’s innovation capacity, not only for their own projects but also for the broader research community. Their stories create ripple effects, inspiring more researchers to pursue international collaboration opportunities.

That is why continuing to support LIF Global 2026 is a long-term strategy for KisStartup, built on our deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem. We believe sustainable social impact comes not just from funding projects, but from equipping scientists with professional capacity and deep strategic thinking.

KisStartup recognizes that the journey of innovation does not end with initial achievements. Therefore, we are committed to supporting projects during and even after the program—helping refine business models, craft market-entry strategies, and ensure that innovations not only bloom but grow sustainably. This is our promise to Vietnam’s scientific community: to stand alongside them not only at the starting line of entrepreneurship but throughout their long journey of building the future.

In 2021, Ms. Nguyen Đang Tuan Minh, Founder of KisStartup, was a member of LIF7 and a direct beneficiary of the program. Four years later, KisStartup has used its resources to fund and implement one of the world’s most prestigious commercialization programs. This is not only proof of our ecosystem-connecting capacity but also a statement of our commitment to proactively advancing the international commercialization of Vietnam’s research. With the ambition of bringing Vietnamese technology and intelligence beyond national borders, KisStartup will continue striving so that more global markets carry the imprint of Vietnam—using technology to tackle grand global challenges and contribute to the development of society at large.

"Try – Fail – Learn – Grow with KisStartup and new models, tools for international trade connecting Vietnam – Europe!"

Who are you?

A student studying Business, International Trade, Marketing, or simply someone who wants to start their career seriously.

You want to experience an international work environment, improve your English, and are ready to dive into practical work.

You understand that writing content, sales, event organizing, or contract management are the foundation tasks for anyone just starting their career.

WHAT WILL WE OFFER YOU?

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE – COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING
You will directly participate in activities in the international trade program:

• Meet partners, sell and develop the EU market.

• Write content, translate commercial documents, design product profiles.

• Organize seminars, work with speakers, manage contracts, support negotiations.

• Work in an environment that values self-learning, quick action, and real creativity.

• Operate unique tools and platforms in the Vietnamese market for international trade.

DEVELOP THE MINDSET EVERY NEW PROFESSIONAL NEEDS
Listen to the real-life experiences:

• "Instead of waiting for others to give the answer, I learned how to proactively find solutions and confidently propose ideas. For me, this is a crucial skill that no school can teach."

• "Now, whatever task I'm given, I’m excited to learn and get it done, I’m no longer scared :>.”

• "I’ve developed a mindset of proactively seeking answers and solutions. This is really good for interns and those just starting out in their careers."

DISCOVER YOURSELF – BUILD YOUR FUTURE

• Experience multiple roles to understand which field suits you.

• Enhance your study and career profile with international experience.

• Get to try – get to fail – and discover the path that suits you best.

REAL INSIGHTS FROM KISSTARTUP "VETERANS"

"For me, the best part was meeting so many smart and interesting people. I learned how to network better, so when I left Kis, I was able to develop connections related to where I was working."

"Another thing is the great working environment, and everyone supports each other. I feel that the team has created a very healthy atmosphere for us."

"At first, I had no idea what I would do with my major, but after two years at Kis, working on projects and trying many things, I started to realize what excites me and which direction I should take, so I can confidently choose and invest my time and energy."

REQUIREMENTS:

• Students from the first year onwards, able to intern for at least 3 months.

• Good English skills, with the ability to write, communicate, and think critically.

• Proactive, eager to learn, and passionate about development.

• Flexible work arrangements in Hanoi or remotely.