Swiss EP Partner Summit 2026: Building from the Inside in Uncertain Times

Building from the Inside

Over the last decade, Vietnam's startup ecosystem has evolved considerably. Support organizations have emerged and evolved, local investment capacity has strengthened, and founders increasingly build with regional and global ambitions.

Yet growth alone does not guarantee resilience.

The theme of this year's Swiss EP summit, “Building from the Inside: Value in Uncertain Times”, reflected a shared recognition that the ecosystem's next phase will depend less on expansion and more on strengthening the foundations that enable resilience. Across two intensive days, participants explored a central question: How can ecosystem builders create lasting value when capital becomes more selective, markets become more demanding, and expectations continue to rise?

Bringing together key startup ecosystem actors from across Vietnam, the discussions in Hue focused on the organizations, partnerships, and support systems that underpin the long-term growth and resilience. A pre-summit assessment among Swiss EP Partner Organizations revealed increasing pressure on startup support organizations to strengthen sustainability and operational capacity, and to generate revenue. It was also disclosed that founder's needs are evolving. Traditional incubation and generic support services are becoming less differentiated, while demand for commercialization, market access, sales, and growth support continues to rise.

These shifts set the stage for a broader conversation about the future role of ecosystem builders. Rather than asking how to do more, participants reflected on where they create the greatest value, where collaboration makes more sense than duplication, and how support organizations can remain relevant in a changing environment.

For Thắng Nguyễn, CEO of A-Star Group, the summit's key value was the opportunity to learn alongside ecosystem peers and adapt support models to changing market realities:

The insights shared throughout the summit helped me better understand evolving market dynamics and refine our incubation and startup support approach to strengthen fundraising readiness and drive sustainable growth across our portfolio companies.

From Ambition to Execution

Several discussions throughout the summit pointed to a common theme: Vietnam's ecosystem is entering a more institutionalized phase of development. Whether viewed through the lens of policy, capital, corporate engagement, or organizational sustainability, the challenge is increasingly one of execution rather than ambition.

Participants observed that capital is available, and that investors emphasise business fundamentals, execution capability, and clear pathways to growth. At the same time, government support for innovation continues to expand, while implementation, coordination, and usability remain critical in translating policy ambition into ecosystem impact. Together, these developments signal a transition toward a more mature and structured ecosystem that rewards resilience, focus, and long-term value creation.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's capital landscape continues to evolve. While fundraising has become more selective, new sources of capital, including corporate venture capital, family offices, and alternative financing models, are beginning to play a more prominent role. For ecosystem builders, this creates a new responsibility: helping founders understand a broader range of financing options while strengthening their ability to build investment-ready businesses grounded in execution rather than fundraising narratives.

The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of collaboration across sectors. An excellent example is startup-corporate engagement, which has become increasingly common, yet commercial outcomes are still not visible. Too many partnerships stop at pilot projects without progressing into long-term business relationships. Participants, therefore, challenged ecosystem actors to move beyond matchmaking and focus on enabling tangible outcomes, helping startups navigate enterprise sales cycles, supporting corporates in identifying genuine business needs, and creating pathways that convert interest into transactions.

Reflecting on her first official visit to Vietnam, Malin Borg, Head of Swiss EP, noted:

What struck me most was how integrated Vietnam's ecosystem has become. Despite its size, collaboration feels natural, fast, and direct. To me, this is a testament to the relationships and trust that have been built over time.

The Monday Reminder Card

Another recurring theme throughout the summit was that ecosystem building is shaped not only by big visions and ambitious plans, but by what people choose to do once they return to their desks. Conversations, insights, and new connections create value only when they are translated into action.

That idea came to life during one of the summit's most memorable moments. Before departing Hue, participants were invited to answer a straightforward question: What will you do on Monday? Their responses were captured on a Monday Reminder Card — a small note containing one action, commitment, or insight they wanted to carry from the summit.

In many ways, the exercise captured the spirit of this year's theme. Building from the inside aims to strengthen organizations and ecosystems, and to inspire consistent actions and shared commitment that create lasting impact over time.

Reflections for Vietnam's Ecosystem

Several ideas emerging from the summit resonate strongly with the current trajectory of Vietnam's startup ecosystem. As the ecosystem matures, the conversation is shifting from expansion to effectiveness. The focus is no longer on creating more startups, but on strengthening the pathways that enable commercialization, sustainable growth, and scale.

This transition underscores the growing importance of collaboration. As founder journeys become more complex, no single organization can address every challenge alone. Stronger coordination, clear positioning, and more intentional partnerships, built on complementary strengths and differentiated roles, will be essential to create a more connected and effective ecosystem.

These shifts also reinforce the need for ecosystem builders to continue evolving. As founders' needs and market conditions change, support organizations must adapt their capabilities and approaches to remain relevant. In this context, uncertainty can be more than a challenge; it can be a catalyst for innovation, stronger collaboration, and ultimately, a more resilient ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As Swiss EP approaches the final years of its current phase, the summit created space for a broader reflection on what should endure beyond the program itself. Throughout the discussions, many Partner Organizations and ecosystem leaders expressed appreciation for Swiss EP's distinctive approach and long-term commitment to ecosystem development, as well as the relationships, openness, and collaborative spirit fostered through the annual Partner Summits.

One of them is Tu Bui, Community Manager of InnoEx, who said:

Thank you, Swiss EP, for 10 years of partnership. We are excited to turn the conversations in Hue into breakthrough projects and tangible impact in 2026 and beyond.

Several ideas emerged around how future exchanges, connections, and collective learning efforts could continue, carrying forward the spirit of collaboration cultivated over the years. Many participants expressed a desire to build on the momentum created through the summit.

The conversations in Hue reinforced a simple but important idea: strong ecosystems are not built by individual organizations working in isolation. They are shaped through trusted relationships, shared learning, and a collective willingness to adapt as circumstances change.

The external environment will continue to evolve. The task ahead is to ensure that the ecosystem evolves with it.