Stronger together: The University of Wollongong’s iAccelerate joins forces with the Dnang business incubator in Vietnam
Vietnam based Da Nang Startup – Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES) and iAccelerate at the University of Wollongong announced today that they have partnered to assist each other’s startups with a reciprocal “soft landing pad” program.
The program encourages startups seeking to enter each other’s or regional markets to spend time building their businesses in Da Nang or Wollongong.
“This is part of our vision for a physical as well as virtual global ecosystem that will promote opportunities for iAccelerate residents and mentors – as well as other members of the iAccelerate Innovation Network” said Omar Khalifa, iAccelerate CEO.
“The aim is to provide startups with the crucial assistance to learn about, promote and expand their businesses internationally. There is no better way to learn about market entry than to do so directly with those who know the local markets and networks intimately. We are also looking for sponsors to help startups cover travel costs to help them take advantage of this great opportunity” added Khalifa.
iAccelarate – a unique business accelarator and incubator program in Australia
Alan El-Kadhi, Entrepreneur in Residence at DNES (via the Australian Government overseas aid programme) commented that “Da Nang is already a destination of choice for Vietnamese entrepreneurs to base their tech start-ups. They are attracted by a well functioning city that has a beach lifestyle and a large pool of quality software developers. We hope the collaboration agreement between DNES and iAccelerate will now also attract Australian entrepreneurs to partner with and establish their tech teams in Da Nang.”
This partnership will open up fantastic opportunities for the local entrepreneurs enabling them to travel and build business connections in Vietnam in the Asia Pacific. We are excited and eager to see the upcoming exchanges and connections that forward.
Just last month we finalised a partnership with the Lisbon business incubator Startup Lisboa as part of the innovation network which we plan and aim to keep extending.
Last year June, iAccelerate has previously established pathways for expansion into the European market with five of its resident companies. A key component of this special trip was a visit to the Berlin Landing Pad, part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda. Located at co-working space betahaus, one of Berlin’s best known locations for startups, the Berlin Landing Pad provides opportunities for Australian startups to access Europe’s innovation and tech hub, network with other international startups and major German and European corporations, and gain access to investment opportunities.
Note to media:
Please contact us for any interview opportunities on the phone or in person. iAccelerate address is 239, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong.
Media contact:
Astha Singh +61 409 116 896 | [email protected]
About iAccelerate:
iAccelerate is the first program of its kind in regional Australia – and one of the largest in the country designed for startup companies to grow from idea phase to advanced businesses. iAccelerate is a maturing UOW initiative established over the past 3 years. It is built around entrepreneurship, innovation and the skills of UOW’s pipeline of ICT and highly skilled graduates. It delivers a world-class business accelerator program and facility to grow the next generation of Australian innovators. iAccelerate supports businesses with a scaleable service or product that can be globalised. It consists of a range of initiatives including a pitching program, one-to-one mentoring, and training in key knowledge areas. It also provides ‘plug and go’ space for fast growth companies and office space for more advanced companies. The initiative also has a strategic goal of deliberate gender balance built into all activities and programs.
About University of Wollongong:
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is globally ranked as one of Australia’s best modern universities and currently sits among the top two per cent of universities in the world. UOW has built an international reputation for world-class research and exceptional teaching quality. It has a five-star status for its ‘educational experience’ and ‘graduate outcomes’.
About DNES:
Launched in January 2016, DNES is a public private partnership company that represents the commitment and practical support of local government and the business sector. DNES is expected to play an important role in the startup ecosystem of central Vietnam. DNES incubates high potential innovative projects; provides funding opportunities for startups and SMEs; and stimulates the entrepreneurial spirit of the local community.
