$800K prize pool for Vietnam’s Net Zero Challenge 2026 open for applications
Net Zero Challenge, Vietnam’s largest climate technology innovation competition, has opened applications for its fourth edition, offering a total prize pool of more than VND21 billion ($800,000). Applications will be accepted from July 1 to August 31, 2026.
The competition is jointly organized by Vietnam-based Touchstone Partners and Singapore’s Temasek Foundation.
According to a statement released by Touchstone Partners on Wednesday, the prize pool includes VND15 billion in non-dilutive catalytic funding, which will be awarded as grants to the top three teams without requiring any equity. The remaining VND6 billion consists of investment awards and additional support from participating venture capital firms and corporate partners.
Participants will compete across three categories. The Renewable Energy and Carbon Removal track covers areas such as solar and wind energy, energy storage, grid modernization, green hydrogen, and carbon measurement technologies. The Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture track focuses on innovations for Vietnam’s agriculture and aquaculture industries, while the Circular Economy and Waste Management track emphasizes industrial waste recycling, plastic alternatives, and urban recycling infrastructure.
Khanh Tran, Managing Partner at Touchstone Partners, said the initiative seeks to identify, connect, and support leading green economy innovations from around the world, while creating opportunities for promising climate technologies to be tested and scaled in Vietnam.
Heng Li Lang, Head of Climate and Liveability at Temasek Foundation, said the competition brings together innovators, investors, industry leaders, and public sector organizations to help transform promising climate technology solutions into real-world impact.
