Twenty-Eight innovative startups selected to participate in a 6-month incubation program with a chance to win $255,000 in cash prizes HANOI, VIETNAM, April 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, announced the shortlisted companies for the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026 (QVIC) program on March 30, 2026. Twenty-Eight hi-tech teams specializing in industry sectors such as Smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics/ Drones, Healthcare, AgriTech, and more, have been selected into the program. They will receive a program grant, technical support (especially in AI and data analytics), business coaching, intellectual property training and patent incentives to further develop their proposals during an initial 3-month incubation period. Fifteen of the twenty-eight startups will advance to a three‑month acceleration phase with additional technical support and patent‑filing incentives, culminating in a chance to win prizes totaling USD 255,000 at a finale event to be held in August 2026. The selection of shortlisted companies was based on various criteria, including their technical capabilities, innovative products, patentable technologies, and relevance to Vietnam’s digital transformation and Industry 4.0. “The Department of Startup and Technology Enterprises (NATEC) highly appreciates the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC) initiative by Qualcomm in supporting Vietnam’s innovation and startup ecosystem. The expansion of QVIC 2026 from 10 to 28 supported startups and research projects demonstrates Qualcomm’s strong commitment to accompanying Vietnamese startups and researchers in developing pioneering technological solutions. DSTE believes that the program will continue to create opportunities for startups and research teams in Vietnam to develop valuable technology solutions, contributing positively to the national goal of fostering economic development based on science, technology, and innovation.” “Vietnam continues to be a strategic hub for cultivating breakthrough innovation, and its startups, SMEs, and research teams are central to driving the country’s digital transformation and economic momentum,”