Vietnam's Technological Start-Up Surge: A New Frontier

 

Vietnam's technological start-up scene is burgeoning with growth, propelled by young entrepreneurs who weave together innovation, strategic foresight, and value-centric approaches to attract significant foreign investments. This transformation is exemplified by trailblazers such as Tran Quang Duc of AI Hay, Tran Van Vien of Filum.ai, and Nguyen The Vinh of Ninety Eight.

 

AI Hay: A Visionary Leap Toward Investor Confidence

 

In a monumental achievement last July, AI Hay, a cutting-edge AI-driven search and knowledge research platform, successfully concluded its Series A funding round by securing US$10 million. The round was spearheaded by Argor Capital, with considerable contributions from firms including Square Peg, Northstar Ventures, Appworks, and Phoenix Holdings. This accomplishment underscores the burgeoning sophistication of Vietnam's AI sector amid the turbulent waters of the global economic landscape, elevating AI Hay's total capital to over $18 million.

 

Tran Quang Duc, CEO of AI Hay, emphasized that while AI is hailed as a sector with explosive growth potential, skepticism persists among Southeast Asian investors. Their queries about AI Hay's potential to become a unicorn in a mere two and a half years required the team to address formidable challenges and think expansively. Duc attributes their achievements to a resilient culture that embraces obstacles, learns from global paradigms, and commits to sustainable growth.

 

Filum.ai: Integrity and True Value as Cornerstones of Success

 

Tran Van Vien, the driving force behind Filum.ai, asserts that sincerity is the key to securing investor trust. By espousing authenticity over polish, Vien sheds light on how Filum.ai captivated a Korean investor with an impromptu yet heartfelt pitch. This heartfelt philosophy spotlighted during its $1 million funding haul in March, was backed by Nextrans, VinVentures, TheVentures, and individual financiers.

 

Filum.ai, born in 2020, offers AI solutions that amplify customer experience, thereby underpinning their clients' service strategies. Vien underscores that investment represents a 'prepayment of trust,' which mandates the delivery of true value to preserve and honor it. He accentuates that transparency and empathetic engagement with investors can catapult Vietnamese innovators onto the global stage through integrity and authentic connections.

 

Ninety Eight: Pioneering Products Capturing Investments

 

Nguyen The Vinh, at the helm of blockchain ecosystem innovator Ninety Eight, champions a long-term vision aimed at impactful change over immediate gains. His team's exploration of the blockchain technology inherent in Solana led them to design a product, the Coin98 Super Wallet, which simplified blockchain access – transforming user interaction in the market.

 

This pioneering spirit caught the attention of global behemoths such as FTX and Alameda Research, catalyzing Ninety Eight's first $4 million investment round in April 2021. Subsequent financing rounds have totaled $16.5 million, with strategic backing from Hashed and the Spartan Group.

 

Vinh acknowledges the arduous quest for fundraising in volatile economic climates, highlighting the necessity of a clear vision, tangible products, and a robust team. For Ninety Eight, investments transcend finances, embodying strategic collaborations that enhance global reach and acumen. Their resolute commitment to Vietnam remains unwavering, promoting local talent and reinforcing Vietnam's stature in the global digital economy.

 

Pioneering the Future: Vietnam's Role on the Global Stage

 

Through their groundbreaking work and strategic foresight, Vietnam's tech frontiersmen demonstrate that the confluence of innovation, integrity, and vision can redefine a nation's landscape on the global platform. As each venture continues its trajectory towards global recognition, Vietnam positions itself as a formidable player in the international technological revolution, nurturing local talent, driving economic growth, and shaping the digital economy's future.