OPEN INNOVATION DAY 2026 -
POWER THE NEXT-GEN INDUSTRIAL CITY

Partner – GenAI Fund

Laura Nguyen is a Partner at GenAI Fund, boasting over many years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship. Her career highlights include founding and successfully exiting an education venture and leading market development initiatives in Vietnam for a global cybersecurity company. Laura has also played a pivotal role in expanding Web3 and AI businesses across Southeast Asia for Amazon Web Services (AWS). She currently serves as the Country Head for Ava Labs in Vietnam and is a founding advisor to Arcanic AI (Top 3 fine-tuned Vietnamese LLM), recognized among the top 12 startups in the AWS GenAI ASEAN Startup Accelerator Program, awarded for the contribution to National Assembly of Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Initiatives.

President, Transport Development and Strategy Institute, Ministry of Transport

Director General of Vietnam Institute Of Agricultural Engineering And Post-Harvest Techbnology

Ambassador, Embassy of Finland in Vietnam

H.E. Keijo Norvanto has been working in Vietnam as Ambassador of Finland to Hanoi since September 2021. Norvanto has previously served in Iran as ambassador to Tehran in the years 2017-2021 and as Deputy Director General and Director at the Communications Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011-2017. His career in the Diplomatic Service includes also posts in Riyadh, London, and New Delhi. Keijo Norvanto joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997. He was born in Kemi in 1964 and graduated in 1992 from the University of Turku with a master's degree in political science.

The Ambassador, as the leader of the Team Finland network in Vietnam, supports Business Finland and the Work in Finland team in their endeavors to promote Finland's innovative initiatives in Vietnam, thereby contributing to the enhancement of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Economic Analyst, Consulate General of the United States of America

General Director, Saigon Telecommunication & Technologies Corporation (Saigontel)

Talent Manager for Vietnam at Business Finland

Academy of Cryptography Engineering under the Government Cipher Committee and General Secretary of FISU Vietnam, Vietnam Association of ICT Faculties - Institutes - Schools - Universities

Senior Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development), Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Phát triển thị trường và Doanh nghiệp Khoa học và Công nghệ

Head of Investment Integration Department, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Cục trưởng, Cục Phát triển thị trường và Doanh nghiệp Khoa học và Công nghệ

Director General, National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC)

Mr. Pham Hong Quat – Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology Vietnam.

Mr. Phạm Hồng Quất currently serves as Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Over many years of service, he has made important contributions to developing Vietnam’s innovation and startup ecosystem, advancing the country toward a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Under his leadership, NATEC has implemented several national programs such as Techfest Vietnam, the Open Innovation Platform, and the Vietnam Startup Ecosystem Network, helping to connect startups, corporations, investors, and research institutions both domestically and internationally.

His dedication and commitment have contributed to positioning Vietnam as a dynamic innovation hub in the region, where science, technology, and entrepreneurship work hand in hand to build a sustainable and competitive future.

Cục trưởng Cục Phát triển thị trường và Doanh nghiệp Khoa học và Công nghệ

Further description ..... On March 3, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued a decision to appoint Mr. Tran Huu Linh - former Director General of the General Department of Market Management - to hold the position of Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development.

The term of appointment is 5 years from the effective date of the decision. Previously, Mr. Linh held the position of Director General of the General Department of Market Management from October 2018 to March 2 this year.

The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development was established on the basis of merging the functions, tasks and apparatus of the General Department of Market Management and the Department of Domestic Market.

General Director, Schneider Electric Vietnam & Cambodia

CEO, Energy Capital Vietnam

Vietnam Market Manager, FCC Partners

President of the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA)

Vietnam Energy Association

Director of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve

Director of Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI)

General Director of Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand

Consultant, Asian Development Bank

Intel Product Vietnam Strategy Program Director

Regional Director, Government Affairs & Env, Social & Governance, Southeast Asia and Oceania at Samsung Asia

Senior Account Executive, Engagement Lead for Digital Native in Vietnam & Thailand at Microsoft Asia

Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director, Saigon Fund Management Company (SAM)

President of CIO Vietnam Community

Account Director, PR Newswire, a Cision company

COO, International Centre for Industrial Transformation

BOD of SoiHub - the Open Innovation Hub

Director of Global Education Strategy, the University of Melbourne

Deputy Director, RMIT Center for Post-Carbon Research Center

Manager. Glocal Investment, Do Ventures

CEO, Ventures Builder and Expert of Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute

Head of Strategic Partnerships of Sea Limited (Shopee Vietnam)

Ms. Vu Xuan Linh, Head, Strategic Partnerships, Sea Limited (Shopee Vietnam) leads and coordinates Shopee’s strategic partnership initiatives with both central and local stakeholders in Vietnam. She serves as the Project Lead for Shopee Vietnam’s B2C Cross-Border E-commerce Export Initiative, which aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in expanding their retail exports through Shopee’s international platform, particularly across ASEAN markets. With a vision to connect government policies, business capabilities, and digital infrastructure, Ms. Linh and the Shopee team work to promote digital transformation in export activities, expand distribution channels, and enhance the global presence of Vietnamese products in the international marketplace.

Science Council Member, Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI) Advisor, SOI Hub Vietnam; Collaboration Professor, Chungnam National University (CNU), Korea

Mr. Peter (Wook) Lee currently serves as a Science Council Member at OITI and Advisor to SOI Hub in Ho Chi Minh City. Since December 2024, he has also been a Collaboration Professor at Chungnam National University (CNU) in Korea, fostering academic–industry–government partnerships to advance innovation and talent development between Korea and Vietnam.

He is the Founder and CEO of The KEII Platform, an education technology and innovation company operating in Korea and Vietnam, pioneering initiatives such as WE Math and WE Study Center, which blend AI-based pedagogy with human mentoring.

With over 25 years of experience in education, edtech, and innovation ecosystems, Mr. Lee has held senior executive roles at major education groups including Creverse (Chungdahm Learning, April English), English Egg, and Topia Education.

At CNU, he plays a key role in programs such as the ICT Global Convergence Talent Program and the Innovation University (COSS), promoting collaboration with institutions like Vietnam’s NATEC under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

His vision focuses on developing Asia’s next generation of creative talents through the integration of education, technology, and entrepreneurship, promoting open and human-centered innovation for shared growth.

Staff Manager, Business Development & Representative of the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC)

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thao is Staff Manager, Business Development & Representative of the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC). She plays a leading role in promoting innovation and startup ecosystems in Vietnam, particularly in semiconductors, 5G, IoT, and AI-based technologies.

With extensive experience in business strategy, partnership development, and technology commercialization, Ms. Thao has been instrumental in connecting Qualcomm’s global innovation programs with Vietnamese startups, universities, and government partners.

Through QVIC, she supports early-stage tech startups to enhance product R&D, accelerate market entry, and integrate into Qualcomm’s global innovation network, contributing to Vietnam’s digital transformation and high-tech industry growth.

Director, Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI)

Dr. Hoang Xuan Hien graduated from Kiev Polytechnic Institute (Ukraine) in 1996, majoring in Precision Engineering, and earned his Ph.D. in Nanotechnology from the University of Oklahoma (USA) in 2015.

He has lectured at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Dai Nam University, and Electric Power University, and also worked at Viettel Group, where he contributed to numerous research projects and practical technology applications.

Dr. Hien is one of the founding members of the Director, Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI), and currently serves as Director, leading the institute’s efforts in research, collaboration, and commercialization of innovative technologies.

Notable achievements:
Top 10 Vietnam Golden Products 2020 (Micromodule Optical Cable)
Second Prize, Viettel Science & Technology Contest 2021 (Multi-head 3D Printer)
Patent holder of ADSS Optical Cable

Director General of the Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade - Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi is Director General of the Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade - Ministry of Industry and Trade.
He has over 20 years of working experience at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, including 10 years as Deputy Director General of various Departments and 6 years as Director General of the Institute, making many great contributions to strategic and policy studies serving state management in the fields of industry, energy and trade.

His recent research interests include the formulation, evaluation of the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of development strategies, plans, schemes, programs, projects, policies, economic and technical standards and norms for industries and sectors of industry, energy and trade.

Innovation and Startup Expert, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the Hue City Party Committee

Dr. Hồ Thắng, Innovation and Startup Expert, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the Hue City Party Committee. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the Hue City Party Committee responsible for implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

He previously served as the Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City. Dr. Thắng holds a Ph.D. in Economics and has extensive experience in science and technology management, fostering innovation and startup ecosystems, promoting green transition models, and developing the circular economy.

Country Representative to Viet Nam at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Deputy Director, Open Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship Institute (OITI)

Mr. Bui Trung Hieu is currently the Deputy Director of the Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI), a green growth expert, and a Member of the Management Board of the SoiHub. He is also an expert for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the project supporting the development of the semiconductor industry workforce for Long An Province, as well as an expert at the Vietnam Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in HCMC (HCMC C4IR). Mr. Hieu has five years of experience working at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with extensive expertise in implementing greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in the agriculture sector and carbon credit initiatives.

Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Open Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship Institute (OITI)

Ms. Bui Thanh Hang is currently working at the Technology Incubation Center – National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Expert in HCMC C4IR’s Policy and Strategy Department and also serves as the Project Director of SoiHub. She has over five years of experience in developing Vietnam’s startup and innovation ecosystem under the Ministry, alongside ten years in communications and public relations management for development organizations such as Winrock International, DAI Global, and the United Nations. She is also the Vice Chairwoman of the Scientific Council of the Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute (OITI).

Ms. Hang plays a leading role in promoting open innovation models and strategies based on the triple helix model of collaboration between enterprises – government – academia, and is spearheading the pilot implementation of the Open Innovation Hub (SoiHub) in Ho Chi Minh City to advance Vietnam’s innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem.

She has been instrumental in the early-stage development of SoiHub, turning it into a practical platform for fostering collaboration among startups, businesses, and public sector stakeholders. Currently, she is leading the development of a new SME Support Program for Hanoi City for the period 2026–2030.

In addition, Ms. Hang actively participates in regional forums on innovation and human capital development, organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its partners, serving as an expert contributor. Notable engagements include:

• AI-Powered Innovation in Vietnam’s Educational Landscape:

https://events.development.asia/materials/20240926/ai-powered-innovation-viet-nams-educational-landscape

• Scaling Private Sector Investment in Education and Training:

https://events.development.asia/materials/20231019/scaling-private-sector-investment-education-and-training

• Vietnam’s Digital Gen Z Workforce:

https://events.development.asia/materials/20230511/viet-nams-digital-gen-z-workforce

Senior Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development), Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Head of Talent Acquasition in Vietnam and ASEAN

Van Anh Le is a Talent Manager at Business Finland, the Finnish government organization responsible for innovation funding, trade, investment, and travel promotion under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Within the Work in Finland Unit of the Talent Boost Program, she leads Finland’s international talent attraction and collaboration strategy in the region, fostering stronger connections between skilled professionals, researchers, and startup founders from Vietnam and Finland’s globally recognized innovation ecosystem.

As the spokesperson for Work in Finland in Vietnam, Van Anh has spearheaded strategic partnerships and coordinated high-level delegations that strengthen Finland’s engagement in the region’s rapidly evolving talent and startup landscape. Through her leadership, she actively connects Finland with the local region as a premier destination for global talent, innovation, and sustainable business collaboration.

Managing Partner, Quest Ventures

Founder of Lacàph Coffees Vietnam

Timen R. ter Meulen Swijtink is a Dutch entrepreneur and creative strategist based in Vietnam, where he leads Collective Company Limited, the parent of several innovative coffee brands including Lacàph and BOLD84. With a passion for turning ideas into reality, Timen blends business acumen with cultural storytelling to elevate Vietnamese coffee onto the global stage. His work spans direct-trade partnerships with farmers, premium product development, and experiential storytelling that connects people to the origins of their coffee.

Having lived across Europe, the U.S., and Vietnam, Timen thrives in multicultural environments and draws inspiration from Vietnam’s dynamic growth and vibrant street culture. Beyond coffee, he’s involved in creative projects that merge design, sustainability, and community building. Driven by curiosity and purpose, his long-term vision is to make Collective the world’s leading premium Vietnamese coffee company.

Regional Head of Partner Sales Startups, ASEAN of Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Vice Chairman of G-GROUP

Mr. Ha Trung Kien is the Vice Chairman of G-Group – a leading Vietnamese technology conglomerate operating across digital finance, media, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.

With over 15 years of experience in technology and innovation, he leads G-Group’s strategic initiatives in digital infrastructure development, including big data systems, tech solutions, and AI applications to support digital transformation in Vietnam and the region.

Mr. Kien is a pioneer in developing "Make in Vietnam" platforms, such as GapoWork – a domestic digital workplace solution replacing Meta’s Workplace, now adopted by hundreds of thousands of employees at major Vietnamese corporations.

He also represents G-Group in international partnerships focused on technology transfer, investment, and innovation ecosystem development, collaborating with partners across South Korea, the Middle East, and North America.

Managing Director of BytePilot Technologies Co. Ltd

ZHOU Jun, Jerry is a professional with over 18 years of experience at the forefront of the Hi-tech industry. As a leader in big data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, he specializes in digital innovation for traditional industries by using state-of-the-art AI technologies and has a deep understanding of the evolving AI ecosystem.

Currently Jerry is the Co-founder of Erbach Smart Solutions GmbH in Germany, Managing Director of Byte Pilot Technologies in Vietnam, also serves as the Data Scientist of SDSC-BW (Smart Data Solution Center Baden-Württemberg) in Germany. He and his companies’ goals are to provide the best digital and AI solutions to support the growth of traditional industries in big data era.

Jerry holds double master’s degrees, Electrical Engineering from KIT (Karlsruher Institut für Technologie) in Germany and MBA from USC (University of Southern California) in US.

Contry Director of Binance

Lynn Hoang is a Country Director at Binance. Previously, Lynn was COO at Remitano and Project Director at Infinity Blockchain Labs.  Lynn received an AS. Biological Sciences/Pre-Medicine from Cañada College. BS. in Finance/Accounting  from San Francisco State University  and MBA from Golden Gate University. Lynn is a community builder for Seedstars, Techstars, Product School, DevNetwork, Techfest and also an active member of CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium, Y-Combinator Startup School and Vietnam Innovation Network.

Country Manager, Account Director, Vietnam, PR Newswire, a Cision company

Megan Ly is the Country Manager of PR Newswire, a Cision company, where she leads strategic growth and communications initiatives in Vietnam. With a decade of experience in communications consulting, Megan works closely with brands across sectors—from hospitality and technology to FMCG—helping them amplify their voice and visibility on the global stage. She is passionate about helping organizations craft meaningful narratives and engage audiences worldwide through thoughtful, strategic communication.

Senior Consultant, Asian Development Bank

Samuel is a technologist turned serial entrepreneur, public administrator with more than 30-years of cumulative experience across ASEAN and South Asia. He provides consultancy to the Asian Development Bank in the areas of innovation and higher education.  As part of CSR, he organises and supports, K-12 learning for disadvantaged children in rural South-East Asia. Samuel is passionate about helping young people transform and grow through education and technology.

Chief Education Officer for Women in AI, APAC Head, and President of WAI Australia

Angela Kim is a data science and AI leader with over 15 years’ experience across consulting, banking, and insurance. She is currently Head of Data Analytics & AI at AIA, and was previously Director of Data Analytics & AI at Deloitte Australia.

Passionate about ethics and inclusion in AI, Angela serves as APAC Chief and Global Chief Education Officer for Women in AI, sits on the ACS Data Sharing & Responsible AI Advisory Board and UNSW AI Institute Advisory Board, and is a founding member of Springer’s Ethics in AI Advisory Group in the UK. She collaborates with global institutes on AI for Healthcare, advancing digital pathology solutions for breast and cervical cancer.

A strong advocate for diversity, she leads programs supporting underprivileged youth, refugees, and First Nations artists, and delivers the annual Women in AI APAC Awards. Recognized globally, Angela has received accolades including Australia’s Top 4 Analytics Leaders (2020) and Educator of the Year (UAE, 2022).

Managing Partner of TADI Global

Celine Dinh is a Finance Executive with over 20 years of global financial management, operational leadership, and strategic transformation experience across high-growth startups, tech, and manufacturing. She has led and supported over $150 million in equity, debt, and structured financing, partnering with private equity firms, institutional lenders, and global investors to fund expansion, stabilize operations, and drive turnaround strategies. Her career includes leadership roles at Vinatea, Vingroup & VinFast USA, and multinational companies operating in complex global supply chains and sourced manufacturing environments. She brings deep expertise in financial planning, modeling, and Board reporting, with a proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in cost efficiency, scalability, and profitability across R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and DTC channels.

Managing Director at Beanstalk AgTech

William is Managing Director at Beanstalk AgTech where he leads the charge in scaling transformative agtech innovations and agribusiness models across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.

He’s worked with agribusinesses, multinationals, NGOs, and investors to commercialise and implement emerging technologies and plays a pivotal role in launching innovation Landing Pads that connect global and local agtech startups and scaleups with opportunities in new markets. William and his team led the establishment of the world’s first venture studio dedicated to tackling drought and climate resilience in agriculture, working in partnership with the Australian Government, agricultural research institutions, and leading Universities across Australia. This model is helping to reimagine commercialisation in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, helping to translate research into commercial solutions. In Vietnam, Beanstalk has been support the development of the AgTech innovation ecosystem since 2017.

Prior to Beanstalk William held multiple senior government roles in agriculture, trade and investment policy and led diplomatic programs between Australia and Asia. Will serves on multiple innovation and diplomacy advisory panels, has BA. Agricultural Economics from University of Sydney and a MA. in Farm Systems Management from the University of Melbourne.

Principal at ADB Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Asian Development Bank

Pang Sittakaradej serves as Principal at ADB Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Asian Development Bank, focusing on early-stage tech startups driving significant climate and developmental impact in developing Asia and the Pacific. She leads the Seed Program, driving early-stage investments and portfolio growth. With over a decade in investment and business growth across Asia Pacific, Pang has helped scale impact-driven companies at the crossroads of finance, technology, and sustainable development.

Chief Product Officer at io.net

Raj Karan is the Chief Product Officer at io.net, where he’s building at the intersection of AI and decentralized cloud compute. With over a decade of experience across Binance, Uber, and Accenture, he’s led product and growth in both early-stage and scaled environments. Raj holds a Master’s in Biochemical engineering from IIT Delhi and an MBA from IIM Calcutta, and is now focused on building infrastructure for the next generation of AI-native, decentralized applications

Deputy Head, Department of Science, Technology & International Relations, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment

Dr. Tran Thanh Tam is a materials scientist specializing in biomedical materials, nanotechnology, and sustainable innovation. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Materials Engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, and completed a joint Ph.D. in Biomedical Materials at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Kyushu University (Japan).

With more than a decade of academic and applied research experience, Dr. Tam has published 18 scientific works and led over 10 national and industry research projects in areas such as waste recycling, circular economy, and carbon market mechanisms. He has delivered GHG inventory training for more than 200 enterprises and supported businesses in implementing CBAM reporting and decarbonization strategies.

Co-founder of PropTech Vietnam Network, Founder of Seattle-based FinHome.com

Roy Nguyen is a passionate tech entrepreneur bridging global innovation with Vietnam and Southeast Asia's dynamic markets. As Founder of Seattle-based FinHome.com, he empowers international investors to access Vietnam's real estate and fintech opportunities. He also serves as Partner at Zumwhere, a distinctive hospitality brand redefining dining experiences across multiple Saigon locations. Since founding PropTech Vietnam Network in 2019, he has driven innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering digital transformation, ESG initiatives, Smart Real Estate, and FinTech advancement across Vietnam. With international experience spanning the US, Singapore, and Chile, plus three consecutive World Economic Forum selections, he combines cross-cultural business experience with local market insights to advance Vietnam's evolving tech ecosystem.

Head of Technology at the National Data Association

Head of Policy Research & Strategy, Vietnam Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City

Head of Experimentation, UNDP Accelerator Lab Vietnam

Ms. Tran Huong Giang is the Head of Experimentation at the UNDP Accelerator Lab Vietnam, where she leads innovation initiatives addressing sustainable development challenges. With extensive experience in policy experimentation, green transition, and social innovation, she promotes systemic solutions and fosters collaboration across public, private, and community sectors to support Vietnam’s digital and green transformation.

Founder & CEO, Uhwa Solution Co., Ltd.

Ethan Rim is a veteran leader in the global materials and technology sector. As Founder and CEO of Uhwa Solution Co., Ltd., he drives innovation in sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing. He previously served as President of DuPont Chemours Korea, Global Leader for Teflon®, and Asia Pacific Business Head overseeing operations across ASEAN, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Earlier in his career, he led R&D at DB HiTek (semiconductors).

Mr. Rim has maintained close collaboration with Samsung and LG Energy Solution management teams, serves as Chairman of the Samsung Vendors Association, and works closely with Seoul National University’s College of Engineering on technology partnerships.

He was also honored with the Government Trust Leadership Award from the Government of Korea, a prestigious recognition voted by employees nationwide for his exemplary integrity, leadership, and commitment to innovation in the industry.

Chief Executive Officer, Saigon Telecommunication & Technologies Corporation (SaigonTel)

Ms. Nguyen Cam Phuong is the CEO of SaigonTel and a key executive across multiple companies in the Saigontel Group ecosystem. With over a decade of leadership experience, she has guided SaigonTel to become a pioneer in foreign investment attraction and the development of high-tech Industry–Urban–Service complexes.

Under her leadership, SaigonTel has expanded into construction, renewable energy, tourism, and training, while advancing projects in eco-industrial parks, energy recycling, and transport–port infrastructure for sustainable growth.

SaigonTel, a member of Saigon Investment Group (SGI), manages and operates over 30 industrial zones nationwide, contributing more than 20% of Vietnam’s annual FDI inflows.

Ms. Phuong has played a leading role in promoting innovation and green growth, co-founding the Center for the 4th Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and establishing SoiHub Innovation Center to foster startups and digital transformation.

She has built strategic partnerships with global corporations including Microsoft, Viettel, Samsung, Foxconn, LG, Panasonic, and Quantum, and led initiatives such as the Smart Industrial Zone Exhibition and the Green Alliance with international partners to drive Vietnam’s sustainable industrial development.

the Co-founder & CEO of Blockbase Private Capital

Jack Nguyen has over 10 years of experience in investment management, M&A consulting, and fundraising, across listed securities, private equity, venture capital, and real estate. He is the Co-founder & CEO of Blockbase Private Capital, a CIMA-regulated fund focusing on emerging technologies (AI, Blockchain) and digital transformation consulting. Previously, Jack worked with Corecam Family Office, managing USD 80 million in Pre-IPO funds in partnership with Dragon Capital, KKR, and Temasek, and Aspire (Crane Capital & WSIB), overseeing real estate assets exceeding USD 100 million. He also advised notable M&A deals with Auxesia Holdings and BDA Partners, including SCPE–N Kid, UTC–VNPT ePay, Stark–ThiPha Cable, and Mitsui–Minh Phu.

Migration and Modernization Lead, AWS

With over 5 years at AWS, Mr. Dhiraj Garg helps startups and SMBs across ASEAN accelerate their growth journeys through cloud migration, modernization, and innovation on AWS. His mission is to make cloud adoption simple, cost-effective, and impactful—empowering founders and fast-growing companies to scale faster, innovate boldly, and compete globally.

Dhiraj works closely with AWS partners to build sustainable, high-performing cloud practices and go-to-market motions tailored for the startup ecosystem. By combining AWS programs with data-driven strategies, he enables startups to optimize operations, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities powered by cloud and AI.

Before joining AWS, Dhiraj worked with global technology leaders including IBM, Deutsche Telekom, and Sigfox, gaining deep expertise in technology solutions, sales, and business development across North America, Europe, and Asia. He now leverages this global experience to guide startups from idea to scale—simplifying transformation decisions, designing cost-efficient architectures, and helping founders focus on what matters most: building and growing their businesses.

Deputy Director, RMIT Post Carbon Research Centre, RMIT University (Australia campus)

General Director, Qualcomm Vietnam & Indochina, overseeing Qualcomm’s operations across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. 

Mr. Thieu Phuong Nam currently serves as General Director, Qualcomm Vietnam & Indochina, overseeing Qualcomm’s operations across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. 

Under his leadership, Qualcomm has expanded its footprint in Vietnam, including the opening of a new AI R&D center in Hanoi, focused on generative AI, semiconductors, and supporting Vietnam’s ambitions in digital transformation and AI development. 

Before taking on leadership roles in Qualcomm Vietnam, Mr. Nam has built deep experience in telecommunications and technology strategy, and has been actively involved in promoting 5G adoption and innovation across the region. 

He is a respected voice in Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem, bridging global semiconductor R&D with local innovation efforts in Vietnam and Indochina.

Chief Executive Officer, RMS PLATFORM Co., Ltd. (Korea)

David Lee is the CEO of RMS PLATFORM Co., Ltd., leading the company’s vision in developing integrated smart city platforms and strategic consulting solutions across Asia. With over two decades of experience spanning corporate management, investment, and technology-driven urban development, he has directed multiple international smart city projects, including the AlWadi Smart City (Saudi Arabia), New Clark City and Bacoor Smart City (Philippines).

Before founding RMS, he spent more than a decade at LG Chem Ltd., managing SPC business, M&A, and overseas investment projects. Under his leadership, RMS has become a recognized innovator in smart city planning, digital twin implementation, and sustainable industrial complex development, with partnerships involving global institutions such as PIF, ADB, UNDRR, and CITYNET.

He was also a featured speaker at the World Smart City Expo 2025 and the Korea-ASEAN Project Plaza, where he presented pioneering approaches to smart city innovation and resilience.

Cofounder & CEO, Nuoa.io

Hieu Dinh is a professional and entrepreneur with extensive experience across consumer goods, finance, technology, and climate innovation in Vietnam and Asia. He is currently the Cofounder and CEO of Nuoa.io, a technology company developing solutions that help enterprises track, understand, and mitigate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Nuoa.io integrates world-class research, cutting-edge technology, and deep local insights to provide enterprises with the best tools to achieve their climate action commitments.

Before founding Nuoa.io, Hieu held senior leadership roles and built several successful businesses in Vietnam and across Asia. As Chief Strategy Officer at a now 200-person pan-Asia financial research company serving top-tier investment funds, he built a multinational team from the ground up, established key partnerships, and shaped the firm’s strategic direction across business functions.

Earlier, during his tenure at a global beverage corporation, Hieu’s leadership journey paralleled the transformation of the newly established Vietnam office into a regional hub, where he led post-M&A integration, market expansion, and sustainable growth initiatives.

As a founding consulting member of a premier global consulting firm’s Vietnam office, he also advised major clients in the public sector, financial services, and consumer goods industries.

Hieu holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD Business School (France) and a Bachelor of Economics and Finance with Distinction from RMIT University, where he studied under the President’s Full Scholarship.

Co-founder and CTO of Easy AI

Mr. Kha Phan, Co-founder and CTO of Easy AI, is a tech expert with over 10 years of experience. Before founding Easy AI, he worked as a software engineer at Money Forward Vietnam and VNG. At Easy AI, he leads the R&D team in building core AI technologies for eCommerce, working with leading companies such as Mobile World Group (Thế Giới Di Động), Media Mart, Rạng Đông, and University Medical Center HCMC to help Vietnamese businesses boost their digital competitiveness and expand globally. He also co-founded JAMstack Vietnam, pioneering the JAMstack architecture in Vietnam since 2020 and shaping the trend of modern, high-performance, and secure web development. To date, he has led over 300 successful digital projects for major enterprises and top brands.

Partner at GenAI Fund, a VC fund investing in high-potential Generative AI startups across Southeast Asia

Mr. Kai Yong, Kang is a Partner at GenAI Fund, a VC fund investing in high-potential Generative AI startups across Southeast Asia. Beyond capital, the fund supports over 2,000 AI startups in go-to-market (GTM) through its AI Transformation Program, working with 50+ enterprises and governments across Asia.

Previously, Kai was a GenAI startup expert at AWS, where he led Startup and VC Ecosystem Development across ASEAN and Pakistan, supporting 15,000 startups and collaborating with over 1,000 VC and ecosystem partners. He launched and scaled AI and GenAI accelerators that helped hundreds of startups build products, scale GTM, and land enterprise PoCs.

Kai is passionate about helping startups turn cutting-edge AI into real-world impact and making Southeast Asia a global hub for AI innovation.

the Business Development Director at CAS Energy

Mr. Duong, Nguyen N. (MSc, PMP®) is the Business Development Director at CAS Energy—a pioneer in the Green Blue & Circular Economy that delivers climate-smart solutions. With over 12 years of experience in high-tech product development and applying AI, Data, and blockchain to business models, he plays a strategic role in expanding CAS Energy's renewable energy solutions.

Representing CAS Energy, Mr . Duong will share expert insights on translating digital innovation into tangible market opportunities during the session “Energy transition towards sustainable development”. His background will highlight how CAS Energy leverages technology to achieve its goal of delivering 1,000 MW of Renewable Energy solutions by 2030, driving Net-Zero, and contributing to overall sustainability objectives

the Founder and CEO of Synodus, a Vietnam-based custom software development company

Cong Nguyen is the Founder and CEO of Synodus, a Vietnam-based custom software development company. Before founding Synodus, he built and led GEM, an established IT outsourcing firm with an 11-year track record of trusted global partnerships.

With Synodus, Cong aims to go beyond traditional outsourcing by combining domain expertise, product mindset, and AI-enabled efficiency to deliver smarter, faster, and more scalable digital solutions. His vision is to build a company where technology serves both business growth and human growth — a place where top talents choose to stay, innovate, and make meaningful impact.

Synodus helps clients in Banking, Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, and Public Sector accelerate transformation through high-quality engineering, modern software delivery, and co-creation partnerships that drive long-term value.

ASE Endowed Chair Professor / Distinguished Professor; Director at Digital Content and Multimedia Technology Research Center National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan

ASE Endowed Chair Professor / Distinguished Professor
Director, Digital Content and Multimedia Technology Research Center
National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan

Prof. Ing-Jer Huang is the ASE Endowed Chair Professor and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan, where he also serves as Director of the Digital Content and Multimedia Technology Research Center. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California (USA).

His research spans computer architecture, SoC platforms, design automation, embedded systems, IoT, and AI applications. Prof. Huang has established long-term collaborations with leading IC and semiconductor companies in Taiwan, with many of his technologies licensed to industry partners such as Andes, Faraday, Himax, Marvell, and VIA.

He has led numerous large-scale R&D projects, including 3D graphics SoC development, wearable bio-signal monitoring devices for healthcare and sports, and AI-based underwater monitoring systems for smart aquaculture. His teams have received multiple prestigious honors, including the National Innovation Award (2022–2024), FutureTech Awards (2018, 2021), APICTA Merit Award (2023), and the *A Award (2025)**.

Prof. Huang also actively promotes STEM and digital literacy education, co-producing the award-winning TV documentary series “IT Superhero,” which won the Remi Gold Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.

Director, Regional Government Relations and ESG, Southeast Asia & Oceania Samsung Asia Private Limited

Mr. Andrew Khaw is the Director of Regional Government Relations and ESG at Samsung Asia Private Limited, overseeing government engagement and sustainability initiatives across Southeast Asia and Oceania. He leads Samsung’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with government bodies and stakeholders in support of the company’s business priorities, ESG commitments, and regional digital and green transformation.

Andrew brings over 20 years of experience in Singapore’s public sector, including positions with the Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), as well as a posting in the United States. He also worked at Ascendas, where he led new market business development initiatives.

An INSEAD Advanced Management Program (AMP) alumnus, Andrew holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is passionate about building strong rapport with senior officials and business leaders to foster collaboration and sustainable growth across the region.

Partner – GenAI Fund

Laura Nguyen is a Partner at GenAI Fund, boasting over many years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship. Her career highlights include founding and successfully exiting an education venture and leading market development initiatives in Vietnam for a global cybersecurity company. Laura has also played a pivotal role in expanding Web3 and AI businesses across Southeast Asia for Amazon Web Services (AWS). She currently serves as the Country Head for Ava Labs in Vietnam and is a founding advisor to Arcanic AI (Top 3 fine-tuned Vietnamese LLM), recognized among the top 12 startups in the AWS GenAI ASEAN Startup Accelerator Program, awarded for the contribution to National Assembly of Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Initiatives.

CTO of APAC Network Solution, Huawei APAC Enterprise Business

With more than 20 years’ experience in the ICT industry, he possesses broad experience in the industry development strategy and technology,  business solutions, Sales and Marketing; His mission is to support customers and partners to identify and develop the right future ICT transformation solutions and ecosystem, to build a Better Connected World. Specialised in network technology such as SDN（Campus and DCN), cloud, Virtualization, IOT, Data Center and Industry solution architect.

Ph.D. in Micro/Nano Materials Engineering and Applications – MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, the Netherlands; Senior Lecturer in Material Science, Vietnamese - German University

After nearly 20 years of living and working abroad, Dr. Hiển returned to Vietnam and has been conducting research and teaching in the field of Materials Science at the Vietnamese-German University since 2019. He has published nearly 100 papers in ISI-indexed journals, focusing on micro/nano materials applied in semiconductors, healthcare, and environmental science.

His current research interests lie in integrating nanotechnology, computational modeling, and both modern and traditional medicine to study Vietnamese folk remedies, treatments that have been used for decades to support disease prevention and improve health. His work aims to enhance the scientific understanding and increase the value of Vietnam’s precious herbal resources.

CEO of Saigontel Hi-tech (Saigontel Group)

Ms. Sabrina Le has over 10 years of experience in industrial real estate, high-tech zone, and green industrial park development. She currently serves as CEO of Saigontel Hi-tech, a key subsidiary of Saigontel Group. She is an expert in foreign investment attraction, consulting, and operation setup for FDI enterprises in Vietnam.

Prior to her current position, Ms. Le served as Head of Business Development & External Relations (Southern Region) at Saigontel Group, where she led initiatives to expand partnerships and strengthen investment networks both domestically and internationally.

Director of Hoa Nam Energy

Mr. Hung Anh is a member of the Vietnam Clean Energy Association, 5 consecutive years as a Vap level partner of Huawei in the Vietnamese market on digital power, specializing in providing solar products and solutions for households, industries, solar farms and battery storage solutions leading the market share in Vietnam.

Chief Executive Officer, Quantum Data Center Advisory

Joshua Robinson is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Quantum Data Center Advisory. Clients include
 private equity investors, operators, and real estate developers seeking experienced guidance in technical
 due diligence, data center design, and project management.

 Additionally, Quantum provides data driven investment advice and transaction advisory services in the
 execution of joint venture partnerships, capital raising, and M&A activities.

 Prior to this role, Joshua was the Chief Investment Officer of a data center builder and operator based in
 Singapore. He has over 25 years experience and has held several leadership roles including Director of the
 Asia Pacific Transaction Advisory Center at Ernst & Young (EY) and the Global Private Equity Business
 Development Leader at EY in New York.

the CEO & Co-Founder of BUYO Solutions Company Limited

Hanh Do is the CEO & Co-Founder of BUYO Solutions Company Limited, a company she founded in 2022 with a passion to provide innovative solutions to the global plastic crisis. With a deep commitment to sustainability and circular economy, Hanh is leading BUYO in providing a breakthrough technology to transform organic waste into bio-based and biodegradable materials to replace plastics. BUYO has received multiple international awards and built a firm partnership with customers from USA, Europe and Asia for its innovation and impacts in protecting the planet. 

Before founding BUYO, Hanh was the Director at Esquel Group, one of the world’s leading apparel and textile manufacturers, where she led multiple business functions, including business development, strategy, finance, human resources, government affairs, and retail. Hanh's earlier career also included serving as Chief Representative of Viet Capital Asset Management and Economic Growth Specialist at USAID Vietnam, where she advised on business restructuring, innovation, and economic growth strategies.

Throughout her career, Hanh has been at the forefront of leading organizations on strategy, innovation, and sustainability and building pioneering technology ventures to create positive impacts on our planet and communities. 

Head of Environmental, Social and Governance, Quest Ventures

Deputy Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), MARD