Talk with CEO: The 3 “FIT” factors for Open Innovation in 2026

Standing at the edge of rapid technological disruption and market volatility, the biggest question facing business leaders today is no longer “Should we innovate?” but rather “How can we innovate faster and more effectively?”

In the latest episode of Business Insights #72 on Vietsuccess, Mrs. Nguyễn Hương Quỳnh - CEO of BambuUP and the first Vietnamese woman to serve as General Director of Nielsen for Vietnam and Cambodia - shared her inspiring journey from the safety of a corporate boardroom to building Vietnam’s pioneering Open Innovation Platform.

Her practical insights go far beyond explaining “why” Vietnamese businesses must transform; they clearly show “how” to create breakthrough growth ahead of 2026. Let’s dive in.

From “Closed-door innovation” to the wave of Open Innovation

In the past, companies took pride in the Closed Innovation model, where every idea and solution was nurtured internally behind the walls of their R&D departments.

But the world is witnessing a dramatic shift. By 2025, it is projected that 70-80% of innovation sources for corporations and businesses worldwide will come from outside the organisation.

Opening the door to collaboration is no longer just a trend – it has become a survival strategy. Real-world data shows that companies adopting Open Innovation can increase labour productivity and implementation speed by at least 3 times, while reducing investment costs by 20-30%.

Instead of shouldering all research costs and risks alone, businesses can now “stand on the shoulders of giants” by partnering with agile, specialised startups.

Open innovation is not just a trend. It is a survival strategy

The art of connection: Not just “matchmaking,” but achieving the 3 “FIT” factors

Many corporations enter partnerships with startups full of ambition yet end up frustrated or disappointed.

According to Mrs. Quỳnh, successful collaboration is like a journey from casual dating to marriage. It progresses through stages: initial exploration (hackathons), small-scale testing (Proof of Concept), co-design and co-creation, and eventually joint ventures or full integration.

However, for the partnership to bear fruit, both sides must align on three essential “FIT” factors:

FIT on Solution: The startup’s solution must genuinely solve the corporation’s real business pain point.

FIT on Mindset and Core Values: The vision and core values of both parties must be in harmony.

FIT on Operating Style: Even with shared vision, if working speeds and processes don’t match – corporations often plan in quarters or years, while startups think in hours and days – the collaboration can easily break down.

Mrs. Quỳnh emphasises that these three FIT factors are the foundation for any successful Open Innovation partnership

The APAR framework: “Good preparation is already half the success”

Many Vietnamese companies have strong awareness of digital transformation and innovation, yet they rush straight into Action without proper Preparation. At BambuUP, the approach is structured around the APAR model: Attention – Preparation – Action – Results.

The Preparation phase is the most critical and includes:

Mindset: Innovation is not just for top leaders; the entire organisation, especially frontline employees, must fully understand and embrace it.

Skill Set: Teams need training to gain both knowledge and the ability to collaborate effectively with external partners.

Structure and Resources: A dedicated team or clear organisational structure must be in place, along with proper infrastructure and budget allocation – rather than simply adding innovation tasks to existing employees’ KPIs.

2026: The golden window – and the wake-up call for Vietnam’s Innovation Ecosystem

The current moment is truly a “golden window”, but it also comes with enormous pressure.

Mrs. Quỳnh delivers a strong warning: 

“If we reach the end of 2026 without decisive breakthrough actions, the entire ecosystem will slip back into ‘sleep mode’ and lose the confidence of international partners and investors.”

2026 is the golden window to create breakthroughs for Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem

Instead of endlessly optimising old processes, businesses can seize three powerful megatrends:

Expansion (Width): Capturing new industries, such as healthcare solutions for the Silver Generation or leveraging the Mekong Delta’s unique advantages to become a regional innovation hub for ClimateTech, FoodTech, and AgriTech.

Depth: Developing hyper-specialised solutions within existing sectors by combining corporations’ deep industry know-how (“the brain”) with startups’ cutting-edge technology (“the body”).

Ecosystem Alliances: Moving beyond closed competition to co-create along entire value chains, expanding the overall “pie” so every participant gains a larger share.

BambuUP – The trusted bridge for next-generation technology

Innovation is not a slogan - it is a survival strategy that needs expert guidance.

With a vision to become a truly international platform, BambuUP positions ourselves as a strategic partner and accelerator for corporate innovation.

We help corporations stay ahead with the latest global technology trends, identify the right solutions, implement them at the optimal time, and achieve maximum results – while supporting Vietnamese startups to confidently conquer international markets.

BambuUP delivers three strategic pillars that enable sustainable growth for both corporations and startups in the Open Innovation era

The time has come for businesses to remove their defensive barriers and step into the open sea. Open the door, welcome external innovation resources, and turn challenges into unique competitive advantages.

The key is already in your hands. Are you ready to walk through the door called Open Innovation? Contact BambuUP now!

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