Viet entrepreneurship in the US and Vietnam has continued to thrive. From inventing the personal computer, to co-founding iconic companies like LinkedIn, to listing companies on the NASDAQ, to selling their tech companies for billions of dollars, Viet entrepreneurs continue to thrive and contribute to a vibrant tech startup community. These successes catalyze the entrepreneurship spirit, including those of the speakers at today's event, emboldening even bolder ventures to take place. In Vietnam, the growth statistics are undeniable. Believe it or not, Vietnam is projected to be the fourth largest exporter of high-tech goods behind China, Taiwan and Germany. Currently in seventh place, Vietnam's growth is peerless. Forty-two percent of Vietnamese exports are high tech goods as of 2020, compared to 13% in 2010. Venture capital made in Vietnam based tech companies ballooned from $48 million in 2017 to $1.15 billion in 2023. Tech companies in Vietnam are now expanding to neighboring countries like Thailand and Indonesia. Connected by a diaspora of over 5 million and a global supply chain that is increasingly becoming intermingled, how will Viet entrepreneurs navigate a more complex global economy with overlapping laws, consumer tastes, and investor expectations? TECxm welcomes speaker from across the US and Vietnam to explore this and other related topics.
Speaker: Huy Do, Chairman of SAVVi Code

Entrepreneurship thrives when there is a robust investor base. Mr. Nguyen shares his journey in founding Republic, a technology platform that curates private investing opportunities with high-growth potential across startups to both accredited and non-accredited investors. Backed by Morgan Stanley, Valor Equity Partners, Galaxy Interactive, Hashed, AngelList and other leading institutions, Republic boasts a portfolio of over 2,500 companies and a community of 3 million members from over 150 countries. More than $2.6 billion has been deployed through investment platforms, funds, and firms within the Republic family of companies. It is headquartered in New York City and has operations in the US, the UK, the EU, the UAE, South Korea, and Singapore.
Speaker: Kendrick Nguyen, CEO/Founder of Republic

Every tech startup needs a strong technology team. Vietnam software engineers have been a key contributor to many startup endeavors, not only in Vietnam, but in the US and around the world. Recently there has been a surge in AI interest. Will Vietnam become a global tech hub for AI and beyond? What are the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam? Mr. Mai will provide a brief overview of Vietnam’s emergence as a hub for tech talent and innovation, sharing his insights on the role of AI and IT outsourcing in Vietnam’s global positioning.
Joining Mr. Mai in this session is Ms. Quyen Nguyen, the Vietnam Director and Ambassador of Women In Tech Vietnam, Chairwoman/CEO of Sharework and Vice President of the VNITO (Vietnam Digital Technology) Alliance. In Vietnam, as the technology sector continues to expand, women are increasingly being engaged and empowered through mentorship programs, coding boot camps, and scholarships specifically for female students. Tech companies are increasingly promoting women to leadership roles. Ms Nguyen will discuss how Vietnam is paving the way for more women to participate and thrive in the tech industry, ensuring that women play a key role in shaping Vietnam's digital future.
Speakers: An Mai, CEO/Founder of IMT Solutions - Quyen Nguyen, Vietnam Director and Ambassador of Women In Tech Vietnam, Chairwoman/CEO of Sharework and Vice President of the VNITO (Vietnam Digital Technology) Alliance

Enjoy lunch at places nearby.

Vietnam’s healthcare market saw an increase of 11% in expenditure on healthcare products. Digital health revenue reached US$968.2 million in 2023 and is expected to increase by 1.5 times that number by 2027. The key indicators support exponential growth with increasing wealth, rising healthcare demand, and government healthcare policies in Vietnam. Over 31.6% of the Vietnamese population is aged 45 or older. The fast-growing middle class will represent roughly 20% of the population by 2024. Medtech is now focused not only on preventative and curative care, but actively and materially extending the average lifespan. Longevity and the "silver economy" is attracting large amounts of foreign capital.
In Dr. Mason Cobb’s distinguished 36-year career, his experience in the USA has included positions of Surgery Chairman, Trauma Services Director, and Academic Division Chief. Upon coming to Vietnam in 1997, he has played a key role in the modernization of the country’s healthcare infrastructure. After co-founding and managing the Columbia-Gia Dinh International Clinic (later Columbia-Asia), he also co-founded Victoria Healthcare Vietnam, successfully establishing 4 major clinics. Dr. Cobb is now the Chief Longevity Advisor for VitalGen Health, a Vietnam company bringing the revolution in personalized peak-wellness to middle-aged and senior individuals. Dr. Cobb will provide an update on the healthcare industry in Vietnam and the many cross-border collaborations that are attracting investors from around the world.
Speaker: Dr. Mason Cobb

Film technology has reduced significantly the overall costs and accelerated the film production process. The lower production costs attracts more independent filmmakers, allowing for greater creative freedom. Yet for many films, production costs still pose a significant barrier. In this session, Emmy nominated writer and TV/Film producer Matt Dearborn, will have a friendly conversation with Carol Liu, an award winning immersive experience creator, filmmaker and entrepreneur working in the fields of film, XR and digital collectibles. Together they will explore the different types of technological innovations that have emerged and how creatives are incorporating them into their works. Yet, despite all the advancements in technology, a key part of filmmaking requires an effective pitch. Mr. Dearborn will share the methods he’s used for pitching your passion project to networks, actors or other industry professionals.
Speaker: Matt Dearborn, interviewed by Carol Liu

When Ross Wells was 5 his parents took him to Radio City Music Hall to see Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The colors, camera angles and compositions had an effect on him. He didn’t look at the world the same after that. He found his Dad's 8mm movie camera and editing gear in a closet when he was 9 years old and shortly thereafter made his first “film”. Join Mr. Wells for a fun session and learn how to make your own short film using technology on your smart phone. With nearly 40 years of production experience, Mr. Wells will share his approach in visual storytelling, audio editing, bringing your vision to life.
Speaker: Ross Wells

The global fashion industry is now valued somewhere around $770.9 billion globally and the use of technology has become increasingly significant. From smart fabrics and wearable devices, the overlay of technology into fashion is transforming the industry. In our inaugural Fashion segment, Van Do, an interdisciplinary scholar and writer, will explore fashion from the remarkable perspective of Vietnamese American fashion designer, Chloe Dao. Ms. Dao is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. She catapulted to international fame after winning Project Runway: Season 2 in 2006. With over 24 years in the industry, Dao’s experiences range from luxury New York fashion to freelance projects and currently encompass her role as an independent fashion entrepreneur with the goal of “mak[ing] a woman feel beautiful with effortless and timeless designs.” Join Ms. Do and Ms. Dao as they explore the many meaningful highlights that underscore how the creative art of fashion intersects with technology and entrepreneurship.
Speaker: Chloe Dao, interviewed by Van Do