NanoNeem is a standout startup in the field of sustainable agriculture in Vietnam, applying nanotechnology to develop herbal-based biological pesticides. In the context of ongoing overuse of chemical pesticides—which remains a pressing issue for food safety and environmental health—NanoNeem‘s products offer a sustainable alternative that helps reduce residual toxins and limit soil and water pollution.
The technological concept behind NanoNeem originates from the research experience of Dr. Duong Nguyen Hong Nhung during her time in the United States. After successfully defending her doctoral dissertation at the University of Oklahoma, she decided to return to Vietnam to pursue this project, recognizing a significant demand in the domestic agricultural sector for eco-friendly pest control solutions. Her advantage lies in her strong academic foundation in biotechnology and her ability to bridge scientific research with practical application.
At the core of NanoNeem’s technology is the combination of extracts from neem (Indian lilac) and traditional Vietnamese medicinal herbs, delivered through a nano-based platform to create pesticides that are highly effective even in low doses. By encapsulating active ingredients at the nano scale, these substances not only adhere more strongly to leaf surfaces but also penetrate plant tissues and the digestive systems of pests more efficiently. Tests conducted on a variety of fruits and vegetables—including avocados, rambutans, grapes, and leafy greens—demonstrated the product’s effectiveness in controlling harmful insects such as green caterpillars, brown planthoppers, and thrips, without harming beneficial insects.
Compared to conventional solutions, NanoNeem‘s products do not cause long-term damage to soil, water, or farmers’ health. Many chemical pesticides currently in use still result in toxic buildup and require long pre-harvest intervals. While some biological products on the market are safer, they tend to be less effective, easily washed away, and difficult to preserve. By leveraging the stability of nanotechnology, NanoNeem has addressed the challenge of balancing efficacy, safety, and usability—three critical barriers to the widespread adoption of biological agricultural products.
In 2021, the startup outperformed more than 265 teams worldwide to win first prize at the Social Business Creation competition in Canada, and also emerged victorious at Hack4Growth in Vietnam. These achievements not only highlight the innovation behind the product but also validate its market potential. Shortly thereafter, NanoNeem signed a commercial contract worth over 3 million USD with a strategic partner, reflecting investor confidence in the commercialization potential of the technology.
A key takeaway from NanoNeem’s journey is that launching a tech startup doesn’t necessarily require starting with complex or radically disruptive platforms. Instead, leveraging local ingredients, inheriting traditional knowledge, and applying modern technology in a smart, context-sensitive way can lead to more sustainable and feasible solutions—especially in countries like Vietnam, where infrastructure remains limited. Furthermore, strong connections between researchers and farmers, and between academia and the market, have enabled NanoNeem to gather real-world feedback and continuously improve its products.
With a commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, NanoNeem continues to develop and refine its biological pesticides, aiming to make them more accessible to farmers while maintaining environmental friendliness. Through scientific innovation and green farming practices, NanoNeem is paving the way toward a healthier and more sustainable future for agriculture.
