Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — July 1, 2026 — Co-organised by Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation,Net Zero Challenge (N0C), Vietnam's largest climate technology innovation competition, today officially opened applications for its fourth edition. 

A key highlight this year is the participation of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC). This participation builds on a strategic collaboration agreement previously signed between VIFC-HCMC, Touchstone Partners, and Temasek Foundation, aimed at mobilizing international financial and knowledge resources to advance innovation and technology development,  contributing to Vietnam's green transition and sustainable growth.

VIFC-HCMC was established to provide an internationally competitive legal framework and capital market infrastructure, attracting global financial institutions and channeling international capital flows in support of Vietnam's long-term economic growth.

Over VND 21 Billion in Awards

Teams in N0C 2026 will compete for a total prize pool exceeding VND 21 billion (approximately USD 800,000). Of this, VND 15 billion is non-equity catalytic funding — meaning winning teams receive grants without giving up any ownership stake — awarded to the three top teams; and over VND 6 billion comprises investment prizes and additional support from partner venture funds and enterprises. The finalist teams will also gain access to structured piloting opportunities through N0C's network of corporate and government partners across industrial zones, urban infrastructure, agricultural value chains, and financial institutions.

Who Should Apply

N0C 2026 welcomes applications from startups, research groups, corporate ventures, and non-profit organizations that have a minimum viable product (MVP) with a clear commercialization direction. Applicants should be prepared to pilot solutions in Vietnam. International teams looking to enter the Vietnamese market or establish strategic partnerships are strongly encouraged to apply. Vietnam's rapidly accelerating green economy, combined with the sandbox environment offered by VIFC-HCMC, is making Vietnam one of the most attractive climate technology testbeds in Southeast Asia right now.

Three Competition Tracks

Teams will compete in one of three tracks, designed to address Vietnam's most urgent environmental and economic transition challenges:

• Track 1 — Renewable & Carbon Removal: Solutions in solar, wind, energy storage, grid modernization, energy efficiency, green hydrogen, and carbon measurement and removal.
• Track 2 — Food Systems & Sustainable Agriculture: Technologies that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and productivity of Vietnam's agriculture and aquaculture sectors.
• Track 3 — Circular Economy & Waste Management: Innovations driving the shift away from linear consumption models, including industrial waste recycling, plastic alternatives, urban recycling infrastructure, and extended producer responsibility platforms.

Applications Open: July 1 – August 31, 2026

Applications are open from 1 July to 31 August 2026 via the official registration portal at https://netzerochallenge.vn. Detailed eligibility criteria, evaluation rubrics, and participation guidelines are available on the website.

"Vietnam is actively advancing its green transition in parallel with digital transformation to build a more sustainable and competitive economy. Local governments and businesses across the country are proactively seeking innovative solutions to improve resource efficiency, enhance the quality of growth, and meet the rising demands for sustainable development from global markets and supply chains.

Since its launch in 2023, the Net Zero Challenge has been held annually with the mission of identifying, connecting, and supporting outstanding innovation solutions in the green economy from around the world, creating opportunities for pioneering technologies and business models to be piloted, developed, and scaled in Vietnam. With the official participation of VIFC-HCMC, the program aims to further mobilize both domestic and international resources to accelerate green economic development, while strengthening collaboration among innovators, investors, businesses, and localities pursuing green transition initiatives." - Mr. Khanh Tran, Managing Partner, Touchstone Partners

“As climate challenges become more urgent, the need to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions has never been greater. The Net Zero Challenge 2026 continues to bring together innovators, investors, industry and the public sector to turn promising climate technology solutions into real-world impact. We look forward to supporting more pilot projects that can help advance Vietnam's green transition while creating solutions that are scalable across the region." - Ms. Heng Li Lang, Head, Climate & Liveability, Temasek Foundation 

Net Zero Challenge Journey

Launched in 2023, Net Zero Challenge has grown into one of Southeast Asia's most active climate technology piloting platforms. Across three consecutive editions, the program has attracted over 1,500 innovation applications from across the globe, mobilized millions of dollars in catalytic funding, and supported dozens of innovators — from early-stage startups to mature international companies — in deploying and commercializing climate solutions in Vietnam. Standout teams from previous editions have gone on to raise follow-on investment, sign commercial agreements with Vietnamese enterprises, and build a lasting operational presence in the market. N0C has also continuously strengthened its institutional foundation: from an initial bilateral collaboration, the program has now expanded to include city government, a national financial centre, and a growing coalition of Vietnam's leading industrial and investment partners.

About Net Zero Challenge

Net Zero Challenge (N0C) is Vietnam's flagship climate innovations competition, founded in 2023 by Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation. Starting in 2026, N0C is strategically supported by the Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC-HCMC). The programme identifies and pilots global climate-technology solutions in Vietnam across three tracks: Renewable Energy and Carbon Removal; Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture; and Circular Economy and Waste Management. 

For more information, visit https://netzerochallenge.vn/ 

About Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC)

VIFC-HCMC is established and operated pursuant to Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly and Decree No. 323/2025/ND-CP of the Government. VIFC-HCMC provides a transparent legal framework aligned with international best practices to attract financial institutions and strategic investors, while serving as a gateway for channeling global financial resources into Vietnam’s economy. VIFC-HCMC focuses on developing capital markets; promoting sustainable finance and green finance products; implementing controlled regulatory sandbox mechanisms for financial technology (FinTech) and digital assets; and building a modern, integrated financial infrastructure system, with a view to elevating Vietnam’s position in the global financial network and supporting the country’s next phase of economic growth.

For more information, visit https://vifc.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/vi

About Touchstone Partners

Touchstone Partners is a leading Vietnam-focused investment fund investing in high-growth, technology-driven companies that create positive economic, social and environmental impact. Touchstone plays a pioneering role in shaping Vietnam's climate and innovation ecosystem through initiatives including Net Zero Challenge, Energy Efficiency Accelerator, and recently launched a Climate Fund. 

The fund’s portfolio spans sustainability and climate technologies, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced agritech, fintech and education. Touchstone Partners actively convenes founders, corporations, investors and public-sector stakeholders to accelerate innovation, technology commercialisation and sustainable economic development in Vietnam. 

For more information, visit  https://touchstone.vc/

About Temasek Foundation

Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and Asia. Temasek Foundation's programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from other donors. These programmes strive to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation's programmes strengthen social resilience; foster international exchange and catalyse regional capabilities; advance science; and protect the planet.

For more information, visit https://www.temasekfoundation.org.sg/