The initiative to develop this Handbook is part of the project “The Accelerator Program for Innovative Startups in the field of energy efficiency” (AIS4EE) led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade under the Vietnam – EU Sustainable Energy Transition Program (SETP), funded by the European Union, with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) as the implementing agency. The Department of Innovation, Green Transformation, and Industrial Promotion is the project owner.

The Innovative Startup Handbook in the field of energy efficiency aims to become a comprehensive and practical manual designed to support and promote the startup ecosystem in energy efficiency in Vietnam, particularly in the large energy- consuming sectors such as industry, transportation, and construction. In the context of the green transition as an inevitable trend, having a clear and practical roadmap, shaped by expert insights and input from startup community, will provide a crucial competitive advantage to help the energy efficiency ideas go further, faster, and more sustainably.

The Handbook provides an overview of the energy efficiency startup ecosystem in Vietnam, including the participating components, roles, and interconnections among enterprises, research institutes, support organizations, investment funds, and regulatory agencies. It also explores innovation strategies and the application of technology in energy efficiency, including trends such as IoT, AI, and smart energy management solutions. The Handbook is targeted at early-stage startups, investors and incubators, policymakers and educators, and support organizations. Through this, the Handbook aims to enhance competitiveness, encourage technology adoption, and expand market access for entrepreneurs in the field of energy efficiency in Vietnam.

"The Handbook for innovative energy efficiency startup in Vietnam: From Idea to Implementation” will contribute to the overarching goals of the national program on energy saving and efficiency for the 2019–2030 period (VNEEP3) implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which aims to achieve energy savings of 8-10% of total national energy consumption during 2019 to 2030.