1. Vietnamese Diaspora Movement Launches OV Ventures To Back Local Founders
A new player has entered Vietnam’s startup ecosystem with a mission to empower local founders for global impact. OV Ventures (OVV) is a community-driven angel syndicate formed by 40 founding members across five continents. Unlike traditional venture funds, OVV pools smaller investments, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per member, and strategic support to back early-stage startups. Their first investments, sized between $25,000 and $50,000, will target three to five startups per year, starting with a homegrown AI company in Da Nang. This marks a vote of confidence in Vietnam’s growing tech capabilities, especially in artificial intelligence.
OVV’s investment thesis focuses on three types of founders:
- Overseas Vietnamese building from global hubs.
- Homegrown founders launching global-first startups from day one.
- Non-Vietnamese with strong operational or engineering ties to Vietnam.
Sectors of interest include AI, software infrastructure, and consumer tech, with the first deals expected in late 2025. The syndicate believes Vietnam’s engineering base, along with increased exposure to gaming and digital infrastructure, provides fertile ground for scalable tech ventures.
The launch of OV Ventures marks a pivotal moment: the formalization of diaspora capital and expertise flowing back into Vietnam’s innovation economy. By backing founders with deep technological expertise, especially in AI, OVV positions itself as a crucial bridge, transforming Vietnam's engineering strength into internationally scalable tech companies.
2. International Financial Center (IFC): Opening A “Playground” For Vietnamese Innovate Firms
Vietnam is accelerating efforts to launch the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center (IFC) as a key institutional platform to support innovative startups. More than just a place to attract capital, the IFC is designed to serve as a “playground” where Vietnamese tech firms can grow and scale internationally without needing to relocate. This move responds to the ongoing “Singapore exodus,” where leading homegrown companies like Sky Mavis (Axie Infinity) and Kyber Network have registered overseas to access better legal protections, cross-border capital flows, and listing opportunities.
To address this, the government is finalizing eight guiding decrees for the IFC, with fintech and innovation identified as top priorities that will receive special policy treatment. Experts emphasize that the center must also prioritize transparency and safety, particularly in digital assets and Web3 transactions. Drawing lessons from Dubai’s Financial Centre, which gained global leadership by enforcing strong security and regulatory clarity, Vietnam’s IFC has the potential to become a competitive alternative in the region.
Ho Chi Minh City's IFC is essential for Vietnam's startups. With open and clear legal frameworks, it can become a powerful launchpad for Vietnamese enterprises to scale internationally without leaving home. The IFC should serve as both a symbol of national ambition and a strategic platform - one that attracts global capital, retains domestic innovators, and strengthens Vietnam's position in the global financial and technological landscape.
3. HCMC Taps Nasdaq To Build World-Class Financial Center
In a major step toward modernizing its financial infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nasdaq Stock Exchange to co-develop the Vietnam International Financial Center (IFC). The partnership covers governance, product development, cross-listing opportunities, and international investor outreach. A joint working group will meet at least twice a year to align on legal frameworks, risk management, and global best practices, positioning the IFC as a trusted gateway between Vietnamese and international capital markets.
Nasdaq will also provide technical support and talent training to operate the IFC. Vietnamese professionals will gain hands-on knowledge in managing securities, bonds, derivatives, digital assets, and the carbon credit market.
The MoU with Nasdaq is a significant step toward establishing HCMC's world-class International Financial Center. The partnership grants direct access to Nasdaq’s expertise in governance, technology, and high-growth listings. Training in advanced instruments (derivatives, digital assets, carbon credits) signals Vietnam’s aim for a modern, sophisticated IFC. This collaboration deepens linkage between Vietnam's financial market and international capital markets, attracting high-quality investments and enhancing management competence.
4. Open Innovation Day 2025: A Vital Networking Hub For Vietnam’s Startup And Innovation Ecosystem
Open Innovation Day 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and NATEC, served as a national-scale networking hub for Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. Under the theme “Technological Breakthrough - Promoting Green & Digital Transition,” the two-day event gathered key stakeholders - government agencies, businesses, startups, and academia - to address institutional bottlenecks and propose solutions in high-impact sectors. The agenda reflected a clear government commitment to building an open innovation ecosystem, one that aligns green growth with digital transformation.
Panel discussions focused on unlocking breakthroughs in two critical areas. On the digital side: artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and digital infrastructure such as cloud computing and data centers. On the green side: energy transition, sustainable supply chains, and the development of new materials. Representatives from organizations like ADB and UNDP Accelerator Lab Vietnam praised the event for its real-world relevance, noting its role in connecting the public and private sectors to tackle large-scale industrial challenges.
The Open Innovation Day 2025 demonstrates Vietnam's unified commitment to a “Green & Digital” economic transition. The event successfully mobilized all key stakeholders to focus on highly strategic, capital-intensive areas like AI, Blockchain, and Sustainable Energy. By strategically fostering deeper connections and addressing institutional and regulatory bottlenecks, the government is attempting to accelerate collaboration and investment.
Genesia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm operating in Japan and Southeast Asia, with a strong belief in the long-term potential of Vietnam’s digital economy. Beyond providing capital, the fund actively supports startups through strategic guidance and connections to a broader regional network.