What It's Like to Start Up in Vietnamese Agriculture

What It's Like to Start Up in Vietnamese Agriculture Most Vietnamese farms are under 5 hectares. Small farms face tight capital, weak infrastructure, and limited tech. Vietnam urgently needs companies that offer bundled solutions to lower production costs — and training that instills modern agricultural thinking. Topics: Startup, Innovation.

At the Seedstars World competition in Vietnam, Mimosa TEK — an ag‑IoT company that provides farm data services and decision support — won first place. It will represent Vietnam at the 2017 global finals in Switzerland. The top prize is up to $1 million.

More than 70 Vietnamese startups competed for the Vietnam slot, and Mimosa TEK stood out. Last year, the company raised $150,000 from IDG Capital and Samsung‑affiliated VC Go Live! in Ho Chi Minh City.

We interviewed Mimosa TEK co‑founder Nam Dang about Vietnamese agriculture.

• Are there other ag‑IoT startups in Vietnam? Ag‑IoT is still new to Vietnam. We’re among the first with real, deployed products. We’ve seen a few other players, but most are still at the idea or prototype stage.
• Why do Vietnamese farmers need the tech that Mimosa TEK provides? Vietnamese agriculture is extremely inefficient — among the lowest in Asia. Waste is everywhere: flood irrigation wastes about 50% of water. Over 60% of fertilizer isn’t absorbed by crops and instead runs off, polluting the environment. Pests and diseases reduce yields by 20%–30%. Each year, export losses due to excessive pesticide residues reach about $7 million. The root cause is farmers’ lack of experience and crop understanding, and weak management. We help farmers understand real‑time crop needs and adopt a new way of farming. With IoT, we improve soil fertility, save water and fertilizer, and help farmers raise yields and incomes.
• What challenges do Vietnamese farmers face? Most farms are under 5 hectares. Small farms face several constraints: limited capital, weak infrastructure, and lagging technology. Vietnam urgently needs companies like ours to offer end‑to‑end solutions that lower production costs. We also need training programs that bring modern agricultural mindsets to farmers. In agriculture, if you want to move faster, you must be patient.
• What’s the startup scene like in Vietnam? It’s booming. A year ago, hardly anyone talked about an “entrepreneurial ecosystem.” Now, with VCs, angels, incubators, and government guidance funds, the atmosphere is vibrant. Startups are becoming more trained, experienced, and ready to hit the market. Many aim to compete globally, not just domestically.