During the 4-month coaching period by CEOs and founders from technology companies and venture capital funds, TOPICA Founder Institute (TFI) finalists overcame various challenges from mentees in branding, envisioning marketing plans, creating prototype versions on the internet, building financial models and practicing pitching to potential investors. After the final presentation, Mrs. Dang My Chau, director of TOPICA Founder Institute, certified the 12 founders who graduated from the 2nd semester at TOPICA Founder Institute.
Founder presenting in front of 20 investors
These investors came from leading venture capital firms such as IDG Ventures Vietnam, CyberAgent Ventures Vietnam, DFJ VinaCapital, VNG Corporation, Techcombank Capital, VTC Online, and Facebook Vietnam. Mr. Chan, Business Development Director from DMGT International APAC commented that, “DMGT is interested in media technology and data analysis. I am intrigued by products and services presented today and got a very good impression on startup community in Vietnam”
Quang Duc Nguyen, one of the founders at the showcase, is CEO of Vietnam HSP – a domestic e-health market leader offering e-health services to 250 hospitals and healthcare centers with nearly 3 million electric medical records. “TFI has offered me the opportunity to attend Intel DST Asia Pacific Challenge 2012 held in Bangalore, India and helped me connect with numerous domestic and foreign investors. TFI has also helped HSP re-structure its strategy and the social network.”, said Mr. Duc.
Nguyen Ngoc Hung showcasing Tapmee application
Another founder Nguyen Ngoc Hung said, “TFI has helped me to get a deeper insight of how to build an e-product and operate a start-up company. Also it gave me a diversified and useful network of angel investors, venture capital funds and technology companies.” TFI’s product, Tapmee, a location-based mobile application and platform that helps users connect people around instantly, allows users to connect with new friends in cafes, restaurants, and looking for old friends are in the surrounding area for lunch or drinks.
April 2012, five companies graduated from the 1st semester of TOPICA Founder Institute in Hanoi, namely Appota.com, Biaki.com, Giaytot.com, Duocgia.net and Vnplay.tv. Appota.com successfully got an investment contract with an angel investor, and was endorsed by Microsoft recommend to present at DEMO Asia 2012, and later, the Most Disruptive Award at Silicon Valley. Other graduates have continued the collaboration with investors to accelerate the development of their products.
The 3rd semester of TOPICA Founder Institute will take place in Hanoi in this November. The mentors will directly coach 30 start-up entrepreneurs, who are entrepreneurs in internet and mobile sectors.
Please visit http://tba.topica.edu.vn/for more information.