From Seeding to Breakthrough: Son La Women Entrepreneurs Step Firmly Forward on a New Journey
On 11 April 2025, the final round of the “Business Acceleration Seed & Business Acceleration Lever” competition took place in Son La City – an important event marking a new turning point for business models initiated and led by local women.
An event within the WEL Sub-project
The competition is a flagship activity of the “Women's Entrepreneurship and Leadership (WEL)” Sub-project, organised by the Son La Provincial Women's Union in cooperation with GreenU, under the GREAT Project funded by the Australian Government. The project aims to economically and socially empower ethnic minority women through the development of effective and sustainable business models.
Top 4 Business Acceleration Seeds
These are newly nurtured models developed through the training process, with high growth potential:
- 🥇 First Prize: A Chau Cooperative – Ta Xua Che Lam product
- 🥈 Second Prize: Passion Fruit Cooperative Group
- 🥉 Third Prize (joint): Chieng Nua Clean Bamboo Shoot Cooperative Group & Ban Tun Cooperative Group
Top 10 Business Acceleration Levers
These are models already in operation with a clear growth direction, continuing to be mentored to accelerate and scale up:
- 🥇 First Prize: Uyen Thuan Cooperative
- 🥈 Second Prize: Noong Pieu Indigenous Agricultural Products Cooperative
- 🥉 Third Prize: 26-3 Green Agriculture Cooperative & Tien Hung Cooperative
- 🏅 Fourth Prize:
- Xuan Nha Clean Bamboo Shoot Cooperative
- Tat Nang Tourism & Agriculture Cooperative
- Ethnic Herbal Medicine & Community Tourism Cooperative
- Tay Bac Eco Cooperative
- Kien Cuong Phieng Khoai Cooperative
The journey has truly only just begun
The final round was not only an arena to demonstrate capability but also a stepping stone for the next stage: a 3-month acceleration model pilot, accompanied by mentors and the GreenU team. The models will:
- Refine products & improve operations
- Optimise resources & processes
- Expand consumer markets
- Increase local economic and social impact
✨ GreenU is committed to continuing to accompany the women entrepreneurs of Son La, helping them step by step realise their dream of sustainable business development, contributing to inclusive and equitable economic development for women in the highlands.
💪 Women entrepreneurs of Son La – Ready to break through!
