Touchstone Partners and the Temasek Foundation, in partnership with the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS), have launched the 2026 Net Zero Challenge in Vietnam. Announced on July 1, 2026, the international competition aims to identify, fund, and deploy innovative climate technology solutions across the country. The initiative focuses on supporting commercialization by facilitating pilot project execution and local market entry for startups, corporate ventures, research teams, and non-profit organizations. Applications remain open through August 31, 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for November 12, 2026.

Emerging climate technologies, including carbon removal, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, frequently face substantial hurdles when transitioning from minimum viable products to real-world deployment. In Vietnam, early-stage innovators often struggle to secure equity-free funding, establish structured local pilot demonstrations, and gain access to corporate and governmental networks. Without dedicated financial backing and strategic market entry assistance, promising low-carbon solutions encounter severe delays in validating their commercial value, navigating regional regulatory landscapes, and scaling operations within Southeast Asian markets.

To overcome these barriers, the 2026 Net Zero Challenge provides a comprehensive framework structured around three core tracks: Renewables & Carbon Removal, Food Systems & Sustainable Agriculture, and Circular Economy & Waste Management. The program invites international and domestic entities with minimum viable products to submit targeted pilot implementation proposals for Vietnam. Selected finalists gain access to structured pilot opportunities enabled through the competition’s corporate and government partner network. Alongside operational support, participants receive structured mentorship, direct connections to venture capital investors, and opportunities for strategic corporate partnerships.

The program provides a substantial financial package to accelerate technology deployment in Vietnam. The three winning teams will share approximately $571,000 (VND 15 billion) in equity-free funding dedicated to supporting pilot execution. Additionally, the competition features over $228,000 (VND 6 billion) in investment prizes, supplemented by further financial support from partner venture funds and enterprises. By establishing clear commercialization pathways and demonstrating technology performance in local settings, the initiative advances Vietnam’s net-zero transition while creating market entry opportunities for global climate tech solutions.