On 28 September 2022, Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (LJI), with support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held LJI SUSU ‘‘Social Issue Solving’’ Startup Pitch Event together with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Vientiane, National University of Laos (NUOL) and Department of SME Promotion (DOSMEP) under Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC).
LJI launched LJI SUSU (Scale-up) under the Business Development Program in October 2021 to promote economic and social growth in Laos. The program aims to enhance participating companies’ competitiveness and business linkage between Lao and foreign companies, including Japanese ones.
LJI SUSU pitch event was opened by remarks by Mr. Noriyuki ITO, Senior Representative of JICA Laos, Prof. Dr. Houngphet CHANTHAVONG, Vice President of National University of Laos (NUOL), Dr. Bounpheng SIBOUNHEUNG, Director General of DOSMEP and Mr. Yasushi KIKUCHI, Chief Representative of JETRO Vientiane.
Four companies that had participated in LJI SUSU Business Competition in December 2021 received advice from LJI SUSU mentors and three of them conducted the Proof of Concept (POC) with JICA’s financial support for the last 6 months.
There four companies below presented their business cases, including areas that they want to collaborate with partners:
1. Wayha Booking Platform: The first all-in-one booking platform in Laos
4. bansi.la LITE: User-friendly online financial management system for Lao MSMEs growth
In addition, a Japanese company, Music Securities Inc. shared most important factors for investors and a successful Lao entrepreneur, LocaLaos, shared their story with the title “Growth and Networking strategy”.
At the end of the event, the following companies received special awards in recognition of their tremendous efforts to bring more value to Lao society.
“Best Performance Award” for Wayha Booking Platform
“Social Impact Award” for CROPShare
LJI pitch event was implemented in the hybrid style (both online and offline) and more than 150 business representatives both from Laos and Japan, including more than 16 investors attended.
As LJI, we are so excited to see further growth of LJI SUSU participating companies and work with them closely to bring even more value to Lao society.