Mekong Agritech Challenge unleashes technology and entrepreneurship to transform agriculture

By Hoa Nga - Nov 19, 2017 | 07:15 AM GMT+7

TheLEADERStartups and agritech solution providers from around the world can join forces in the Mekong Agritech Challenge (MATCh) to transform the Mekong region’s agricultural industry into a leading global supplier of “safe and nutritious food for all”.

Mekong Agritech Challenge unleashes technology and entrepreneurship to transform agriculture
MATCh – A new agricultural startup accelerator program (Photo: MBI)

MATCh, a part of a series of innovation accelerators by the Mekong Business Initiative (MBI), with two programs namely MATCh Startup Accelerator and MATCh Market Access Accelerator is now officially accepting applications until the end of December 2017.

Besides the prize, awarded winners will be showcased at the 2018 Greater Mekong Subregion Leaders’ Summit in Ha Noi and participate in the Future Food Asia Award Competition in Singapore

“MATCh is a great initiative to enable Vietnam’s agriculture companies to work with local and international startups and investors to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and build value chains of safe foods that can supply both domestic and international markets,” said Nguyen Hoang Anh, Vice Chairman of the Digital Agriculture Association.

The MATCh Startup Accelerator will support startups in agriculture to develop their products, network and learn from industry players, showcase their solutions, and access markets and funding. It is aimed at innovative early-stage agritech startups and traditional agriculture businesses with new, scalable business models in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, MATCh Market Access Accelerator will help international agritech solution providers with proven technological solutions expand into the Mekong region. Participants will receive mentorship and assistance with their expansion plans including product adaptation, and forge relationships with potential partners and investors in the region.

MATCh will provide awards and prizes to the participants of the final round with winners receiving up to US$200,000 worth of services and in-kind support. In addition, the winners and finalists will also have opportunities to secure investment from strategic and venture investors. Award winners will be showcased at the 2018 Greater Mekong Subregion Leaders’ Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam and participate in the Future Food Asia Award Competition in Singapore organized by ID Capital, a co-organizer of MATCh.

“MATCh is a great opportunity to enable entrepreneurship and technology to tackle major challenges in the agriculture sector and improve the lives of farmers, protect the environment and respond to new conditions from Climate Change“ said Pham Hong Quat, Director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development, Ministry of Science and Technology.

MATCh was also endorsed by the six governments of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) including Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam at the GMS Agriculture Summit in Siem Reap in September 2017.

“By supporting the innovative business models that this program will create, we can promote efficacy enhancing and environmentally friendly agricultural technologies that also improve farmer livelihoods,” said Dominic Mellor, Senior Economist at the Asian Development Bank and Head of MBI.