In 2023, a small Vietnamese tech startup walked onto the Shark Tank Vietnam stage with a bold idea: to connect people selling recyclable waste with local collectors through a smartphone app. The founders, Đỗ Thị Minh Trang and Bùi Thế Bảo, called it VECA. Their goal was simple but ambitious, make recycling as easy and transparent as ordering a ride-hailing service.
Although the Sharks admired the mission, VECA left without a deal. Many thought this would slow them down. Instead, it became the push they needed to refine their business and expand their reach. Today, VECA is quietly reshaping the way recycling works in Vietnam’s largest cities.
A New Way to Think About Recycling
Vietnam generates over 25 million tons of waste each year, yet only a fraction is recycled effectively. The recycling sector has long relied on informal waste collectors, who go door-to-door buying scrap and plastic. Prices vary, and many sellers have no idea what their recyclables are truly worth.
VECA’s app aims to solve this. It allows people to post what they want to sell, from used plastic bottles to scrap metal and get real-time price updates. Collectors can then choose the jobs they want, ensuring fair pricing and efficient pickups. This transparency is not common in Vietnam’s recycling scene, and it is helping build trust between sellers and buyers.
“Technology can make recycling more reliable for everyone.”
environmental policy expert Dr. Nguyễn Minh Phong.
“By providing price transparency and connecting both sides instantly, VECA is tackling one of the biggest problems in waste management.”
The Shark Tank Setback
On Shark Tank Vietnam Season 5, Episode 10, VECA asked for VND 7 billion (about USD 300,000) in exchange for 15 percent equity. The Sharks liked the idea but raised concerns about whether it could scale across Vietnam’s many regions, each with different recycling practices.
While the rejection might have discouraged some founders, Trang and Bảo took it as feedback. They went back to refine their model, focusing on operational efficiency in urban areas before trying to expand nationwide. This patience has paid off.
Post-Shark Tank Growth
When VECA appeared on Shark Tank Vietnam in 2023, they left without a deal. For many startups, that would be the end of the story. For VECA, it was just the beginning.
2023 — Immediate Post-Show Momentum
Within weeks of the episode airing, VECA reported a spike in app downloads. Public curiosity, fueled by the TV exposure, brought in both new users and potential corporate partners. The founders focused on strengthening operations in Ho Chi Minh City before expanding further.
Mid-2023 — Partnership with Coca-Cola Vietnam
VECA secured a partnership with Coca-Cola Vietnam to support their packaging recovery goals. This was a strategic win because it allowed VECA to access funding for awareness campaigns while proving its ability to work with major international brands.
Late 2023 — Expansion to Seven Districts
The company expanded its network of collectors to seven districts in Ho Chi Minh City, increasing its service coverage significantly. The number of registered waste collectors grew by more than 40% during this period.
Early 2024 — Saigon Co.op Collaboration
Partnering with Saigon Co.op, one of Vietnam’s largest retail chains, VECA began integrating recycling points into shopping centers. This gave them visibility among thousands of urban consumers each day.
2024 — Transaction Growth and Industry Recognition
By mid-2024, VECA announced that transactions on the app had increased by over 50% compared to the previous year. While exact revenue figures remain undisclosed, industry experts believe VECA is generating steady income through service fees and corporate partnerships.
Why VECA Works in Vietnam’s Context
Recycling in Vietnam has historically depended on personal relationships between sellers and collectors. Many people keep “their” regular scrap buyer’s phone number, relying on them for pickups. VECA’s app modernizes this habit rather than replacing it.
It gives both sides what they want: sellers get transparency and convenience, collectors get a steady flow of leads. In addition, VECA offers a pricing reference based on market data, helping to eliminate unfair deals.
From a sustainability perspective, this model supports Vietnam’s national target of recycling 50 percent of urban solid waste by 2030. If VECA continues to grow, it could play a crucial role in reaching that goal.
Challenges Still Ahead
Despite the progress, VECA faces several hurdles. Expanding to rural areas will be difficult because internet access and smartphone usage are lower. Also, waste prices fluctuate due to changes in global scrap markets, which can affect both supply and demand.
Another challenge is competition. While VECA is currently the best-known recycling app in Vietnam, larger players or government-backed platforms could enter the market. To stay ahead, VECA will need to keep improving user experience and strengthening partnerships with municipalities.
What’s Next for VECA
The founders have hinted at expanding beyond Ho Chi Minh City to other urban hubs like Hanoi and Da Nang. They are also exploring features like loyalty rewards for households that recycle regularly, gamifying the process to make it more engaging.
VECA’s ultimate vision is to be the go-to platform for all things recycling in Vietnam — from household scrap collection to corporate waste management. Given their track record since Shark Tank, that future seems within reach.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
VECA’s recycling app connects households with waste collectors using transparent, real-time pricing. After a Shark Tank rejection, VECA grew across Ho Chi Minh City with partners like Coca-Cola, Saigon Co.op, and Tetra Pak to support Vietnam’s circular economy.
FAQs
Is VECA still active in 2025?
Yes. VECA continues operating in Ho Chi Minh City with ongoing programs and partner initiatives that support recycling and formal collection models.
Did VECA get a deal on Shark Tank Vietnam?
No. VECA did not close a deal. The founders declined an offer that required 49 percent equity after seeking 7 billion VND for 15 percent. :
Where does VECA operate now?
Since December 2022, VECA has expanded purchasing coverage to 19 districts across Ho Chi Minh City and Thu Duc City. :
How does the VECA app work?
Households list recyclables in the app, view market-based prices, and connect with nearby collectors who schedule pickup and complete the transaction. :
Is VECA free to use for sellers?
Yes. VECA states the app is free for sellers and designed to increase income opportunities for collectors. :
Are there any service fees?
VECA applies a small service charge to low value orders under 50,000 VND to protect collectors’ earnings. :
What partnerships does VECA have?
VECA partners with brands such as Coca-Cola and Tetra Pak to collect PET bottles and used beverage cartons through the app in Ho Chi Minh City. :
Does VECA collect used beverage cartons?
Yes. Tetra Pak expanded carton collection via VECA to 18 districts, and early results included 7,300 app orders and more than 2 tonnes of cartons. :
What materials can I sell on VECA?
Common categories include plastics, metals, paper and cartons. Availability can vary by district and partner program. :
How are prices set on VECA?
Prices displayed in the app follow market rates to promote transparency and fair payment for sellers and collectors. :
Does VECA help brands with EPR compliance?
Yes. Corporate programs that use VECA’s traceable collection network support packaging recovery and recycling targets under EPR-oriented initiatives. :
Is VECA available on Android?
Yes. VECA and related tools for scrap depots are listed on Google Play for Android users. :
How many users or locations are in VECA’s network?
Public updates cite tens of thousands of households and dozens of collectors and collection points connected through pilot and partner programs in Ho Chi Minh City. :