LJI SUSU SCALE-UP BATCH 3
LJI SUSU, launched under the Business Development Program in 2021, is a unique initiative to provide
opportunities to young small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups for scaling up their ongoing businesses and/or initiating new innovative businesses.
SUSU is derived from the word Start-Up and Scale-Up. Pronunciation of “SUSU” means “fight” in the Lao language, reflecting the efforts by the Lao businesses under difficult or rapidly changing situations in the post-COVID time.
LJI SUSU Scale-Up focuses on supporting existing early-stage startup(s) and SMEs who are already doingbusiness or currently undergoing trial and error. The proposed businesses are expected to create values for the society and cover the program priorities.
The winners of LJI SUSU 2025
The business plan competition was held on September 25, 2025, at the Lao Plaza Hotel.
On 25 September, 2025, Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (LJI), with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held LJI SUSU Scale-Up (batch 3) ‘‘Business Plan Competition” together with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Vientiane and Department of MSME Promotion (DOMSMEP) under Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC).
In July 2021, LJI launched the LJI SUSU Scale-Up initiative. The program is designed to strengthen the competitiveness of participating companies while fostering cross-border business linkages—particularly between Lao enterprises and international partners, including those from Japan.
LJI SUSU Scale-Up (batch 3) ‘‘Business Plan Competition” was opened by the remarks of H.E. Mr. Tsutomu Koizumi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Lao PDR, Mr. Nobuyuki Kobe Senior Representative, JICA Laos Office, Dr. Malaykham Philaphone, Deputy Director General, DOMSMEP under Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Dr. Phonekeo Chanthamaly, Director of Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (LJI).
Out of nearly 70 applicants, 14 companies were selected to participate in the LJI SUSU business plan competition event on 25 September, after 1.5 months of brushing up their business models and plans under the guidance of competent mentors from Laos, Japan and Thailand, seeking business collaboration and other opportunities.
At the end of the competition, the following companies received JICA Awards and some awards from potential investors such as LOCA Award in recognition of their tremendous efforts to bring more value to the Lao society.
JICA Awards
- Talaew Craft and Sustainable Design Center
2. Sa-ard D Self-service car wash
3. SensorClouds
4. Print Square 3D printing solutions
5. The Green Mushroom
LOCA Award:
Sa-ard D Self-service car wash
SensorClouds
What participants will receive:
Financial Support:
Opportunities for financing and investment which are offered through pitch events and business meetings, such as Business Plan Competition. Supported by experts, the participants will brush-up the documents that can be used to access finance. Up to five feasible businesses will be entitled to receiving financial support from JICA to implement the Proof of Concept.
Networking and Information:
Networking and learning opportunities with successful entrepreneurs and pioneers, along with interaction with other participants, are offered to accelerate learning and raise motivation among the participants. With the support of experts, the participants will build and expand their network with potential business partners, including investors.
Mini-lectures and Mentoring:
Practical advice and guidance from experts in multiple fields will be provided. Under the guidance of experts, the participants will develop and refine their innovative business models and convincing pitch documents.
ຢ່າພາດໂອກາດໃນການຂະຫຍາຍທຸລະກິດຂອງທ່ານກັບຜູ້ຊ່ຽວຊານ!
ໄລຍະເວລາຮັບສະໝັກ: 16 ພຶດສະພາ 2025 – 12 ມິຖຸນາ 2025
ສະໝັກຟຣີ! ກໍລະນີທ່ານໄດ້ຜ່ານການຄັດເລືອກເຂົ້າຮອບ ຈະມີຄ່າລົງທະບຽນເຂົ້າຝຶກອົບຮົມ ແລະ ຄ່າໃຫ້ຄໍາປຶກສານໍາຊ່ຽວຊານ 50 USD (ສະເພາະໄລຍະທີ 1, ໃຊ້ໄລຍະຝຶກອົບຮົມສອງເດືອນ)ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມຟຣີ information session ເພື່ອຮັບຟັງລາຍລະອຽດເພີ່ມເຕີມກ່ຽວກັບ LJI SUSU Scale-Up ຊູດທີ 3:14 (ວັນພູດ) ພຶດສະພາ ເເລະ 17 (ວັນເສົາ) ພຶດສະພາ 2025, 19:30-20:10
ລິ້ງລົງທະບຽນ Information session: https://forms.gle/rvk6CuB3YXrjGFAW9
We are excited to announce that the application for LJI SUSU Scale-Up Batch 3 is opening soon! Don’t miss this chance to grow your business with expert support!Application period: 16th May 2025 – 12th June 2025Apply for free! A fee of USD 50 will be applied to successful applicants selected for Phase I to participate in mini-lectures and one-on-one mentoring (2 months duration).Upcoming information sessions about LJI SUSU Scale-Up Batch 3:14th (Wed) and 17th (Sat) May 2025, 19:30-20:10 Information session registration link: https://forms.gle/rvk6CuB3YXrjGFAW9