Promoting SCP in ASEAN countries
ECOTHON in Lao PDR 2022: Business Idea Competition for Sustainable Consumption and Production
Participants in ECOTHON in Lao PDR in Vientiane
HSF
The annual business model competition ECOTHON (short for Eco-Entrepreneurs’ Marathon) has been co-organised in several ASEAN countries by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Vietnam since 2019 with the aim of promoting green business ideas and raising public awareness of SCP in ASEAN countries. The ECOTHON in Lao PDR was co-organised and hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR (MoIC), and the Lao ICT Commerce Association (LICA).
Among many applicants, eleven teams were selected to the final round of ECOTHON in Lao PDR 2022. This year, the finalists brought to the competition amazing ideas for facilitating sustainable practices in various sectors such as agriculture, food and beverage, lifestyle, new materials, and education.
Panel of judge
HSF
As a major part of the competition, they also participated in intensive training sessions led by international mentors focusing on various aspects of sustainable business management such as conducting market and customer analysis, building profit model, building scale-up and innovation, and measuring sustainable impact. At the venue in Vientiane, local coaches also explained the lectures in the context of Lao PDR, supported teams in doing exercise and preparing for the final pitch. The competition does not only seek to motivate them to realise their sustainable business ideas at the earliest stage of their business life cycle, but more importantly, it also equips them with knowledge and skills that will be helpful throughout the later stages of their business development.
In addition to the Boot Camp, a series of presentations and panel discussions on challenges and opportunities for sustainable business, digitalisation, access to finance by the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (DoSMEP), and experiences of ECOTHON alumni will be conducted with the participation of representatives from DoSMEP, LICA, and local entrepreneurs.
Team InnoSerrin – first prize winner of ECOTHON in Lao PDR 2022
HSF
The first prize winner of ECOTHON in Lao PDR 2021 is team InnoSerrín with the idea of producing inexpensive and environmentally friendly paver brick from sawdust. Their production does not only contribute to the elimination of furniture production waste, reduction of sand used to make bricks, and reduction of emissions caused by the combustion of sawdust. Together with the first prize winners of ECOTHON in other countries, team InnoSerrín will have chance to pitch their idea to potential investors at the Global Startup Festival COMEUP 2022 in November.
The second and third prizes went to teams Saving Plants and Edu-Toy Bank & Library, respectively. Team Saving Plants is an early-stage start-up who provides plant rental services to extend the lifespan of indoor plants, while team Edu-Toy Bank & Library is creating a platform for sharing, borrowing and donating toys and educational materials. In addition, a special award was given to team Nikola Tesla whose idea is to produce a small refrigerator from foam boxes and solar panels.