ECOTHON IN LAO PDR 2024
As part of the collaboration between the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Ecothon in Lao PDR 2024 was held in August 2024 through a series of online and offline training, coaching, and mentoring sessions culminating to the Demo-Day on 30th August in Vientiane.
Since its inception in 2019 as part of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-ASEAN Startup Partnership, Ecothon has grown into a premier platform for sustainable business model development. Co-organised by HSF and its long-standing partner ASEIC in collaboration with local partners in selected ASEAN countries, Ecothon continues to bring together innovative startups, aspiring eco-entrepreneurs, and industry experts in a dynamic competition to develop sustainable business models. Designed to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12), Ecothon empowers startups to create solutions that minimise environmental impact while fostering entrepreneurship in ASEAN. In Lao PDR, Ecothon is co-hosted by the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion under Lao PDR's Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) and implemented by the Lao IT and Digital Association (LIDA) (also referred to as the Lao ICT Commerce Association – LICA).
Organisers and winners of Ecothon in Lao PDR 2024
This year’s Ecothon in Lao PDR marked the beginning of a series of Ecothons to be held in 4 ASEAN countries: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. Ecothon in Lao PDR started with a 2-day intensive online training course delivered by international experts, which equipped 11 shortlisted teams with in-depth knowledge of sustainable entrepreneurship, business model validation, impact investment, and IR pitching skills. Following the training, 1:1 coaching sessions were conducted, where local coaches – who had completed the ASEAN Sustainable Business Coach Training ToT – supported the teams in refining their business plans, pitching decks, and overall strategies. Furthermore, these local coaches also provided the teams with insights and advice to help improve their access to additional technical and financial resources as well as expand their networking opportunities.
Online Training Course for Ecothon in Lao PDR 2024
A 2-day offline event took place in Vientiane on 29th and 30th August 2024. The programme featured workshops on sustainable entrepreneurship, solutions for plastic waste management, and supporting regulations for sustainable MSMEs in Lao PDR. In addition, a panel discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities for women-led startups in promoting sustainable practices.
The offline event ended with the final pitches of the 11 excellent competing teams on the Demo-Day in Vientiane. The first prize was awarded to Print Squares for their customised 3D printing using recycled PET plastics. The second and third prizes went to teams RIFFAI and Yord Doiy Wild Honey, respectively. RIFFAI offers real-time flood prediction and water management solutions powered by AI, while Yord Doiy Wild Honey promotes sustainable beekeeping for local income generation and forest conservation.
Group photo at the offline event in Vientiane
Together with winners of Ecothon 2024 in other countries, the top three winners from Lao PDR are being considered for the second screening round of the KOREA-ASEAN Business Model Competition in October 2024. They are also invited to join HSF’s Think Global Sustainability Network delegation at the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum in Bangkok in October 2024.
HSF’s support for Ecothon is part of the Think Global Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC).
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