VietChallenge is the first global entrepreneurship competition for Vietnamese. Its mission is to help realize business ideas to address challenges of the Vietnamese and global economy. Since 2015, the competition has been the vanguard in promoting Vietnamese talent around the world and creating entrepreneurial opportunities.  

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung said the 2019 competition, the fourth of its kind, received more than 400 entries.

Medlink – the supplier of a platform for direct connectivity among drug companies and pharmacies won first prize at the competition. Medlink also won second prize at the National Innovation Startup Competition Techfest Vietnam 2018.

Medlink was applauded by judges, investors, and experts in the US for its website and mobile app that allow drug stores to receive online offers from drug companies and other suppliers which will help them increase their profit. The website and application also make it easy for drug companies to manage their orders and business, reduce expenses and labor costs, and better care for customers.

There are more than 2,000 pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam. They have to spend one third of their revenue - 1.6 billion USD - each year on transportation and marketing personnel.  Only one third of drug stores use software to manage their business and inventory. With Medlink, drug stores can reach out to more customers.

Thanks to Techfest and VietChallenge, many Vietnamese startups have proved their capabilities. For example, Vietnam-based Abivin won the 2019 Startup World Cup after beating other startups from 40 countries, Tubudd finished in the Top 10 Pitch@Palace Vietnam 2018 organized by the UK. Medlink, 2019 VietChallenge Champion, also won first prize at the Techsauce Global Pitch Competition 2019 at the Techsauce Global Summit 2019. These startups will gather at the Techfest Vietnam to be held in Silicon Valley on Friday.