Dialogue Forum "From Vietnam to Silicon Valley: How Startups Enter Global Innovation Ecosystems" Connects Global Innovation Ecosystem with Vietnam

28 May, 2026

On May 27, 2026, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Saigon Asset Management and Plug and Play Tech Center, organized the dialogue forum “From Vietnam to Silicon Valley: How Startups Enter Global Innovation Ecosystems.” The event gathered nearly 1,000 representatives from Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem, including universities, startups, enterprises, investment funds, startup support organizations, innovation experts, and policymakers from both Vietnam and abroad.

In the context of the rapid growth of technology startup ecosystems and the increasing role of open innovation models as bridges connecting research, technology, markets, and capital, the forum was organized to create a multi-stakeholder platform for networking and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

Overview of the program

Representing UEH were: Assoc.Prof. Bui Quang Hung - UEH President; Assoc.Prof. Trinh Thuy Anh - Rector of UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc.Prof. Pham Khanh Nam - Head of Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement; along with leaders from member colleges, departments, faculties, and institutes.

Representing the co-organizing partners were Mr. Jojo Flores - Co-founder of Plug and Play Tech Center; Mr. Louis Nguyễn - Chairman and CEO of Saigon Asset Management; Mr. Mike Maceda - Director of Corporate Partnerships and Open Innovation Services at Plug and Play Tech Center APAC; and Mr. Bryan Mok - Ventures Lead for Vietnam at Plug and Play Tech Center.

Assoc.Prof. Bui Quang Hung delivered the opening remarks

In his opening speech, Assoc.Prof. Bui Quang Hung emphasized the synergy between UEH, Plug and Play Tech Center, and SAM in building an innovation ecosystem. UEH contributes its academic foundation, research capabilities, high-quality human resources, and domestic networks, while international partners bring expertise in open innovation, investment capabilities, and global networks. This collaboration expands opportunities for Vietnam’s startup ecosystem to engage more deeply in global innovation while enhancing Vietnam’s position in the global economy.

Mr. Louis Nguyen - Chairman and CEO of Saigon Asset Management delivered remarks at the forum

During the presentations and discussion sessions, speakers shared insights on the commercialization of university research ideas, the role of startup support ecosystems, as well as emerging trends in venture capital, AI, and technological innovation. Opportunities for fundraising, market expansion, and connecting Vietnamese startups to global innovation networks were also highlighted.

Mr. Jojo Flores - Co-founder of Plug and Play Tech Center presented the keynote “From Campus to the Global Ecosystem: How Plug and Play Connects Universities, Industry, and the Next Generation of Innovators”

The program continued with the panel discussion “The Next Frontier for Venture Capital and Innovation in Vietnam,” moderated by Mr. Louis Nguyen - Chairman and CEO of Saigon Asset Management (SAM), with the participation of Mr. Jojo Flores, Mr. Mike Maceda, and Mr. Bryan Mok.

During the discussion, representatives from Plug and Play emphasized that AI is becoming the “new normal,” requiring young people and businesses not only to equip themselves with technological skills, but also to develop human-centered capabilities such as communication, leadership thinking, networking, and English proficiency.

For startups, investors highlighted that the key factors they consider are the problems the business is solving, the market size, and the potential to become a leader in its field. Speakers also noted that small and medium-sized enterprises do not necessarily need to become tech startups, but they should leverage AI and digital transformation to optimize operations, save time, and improve efficiency. For university startups, collaboration models between universities and investors were viewed as a promising direction, enabling students to gain early access to professional investment ecosystems.

With Vietnam’s strong technical workforce, growing pool of AI engineers, and increasing interest from international investors, Vietnam is considered one of the region’s most promising markets. At the same time, Vietnamese startups need to choose development paths that balance domestic market opportunities with global expansion strategies.

Speakers at the panel discussion “The Next Frontier for Venture Capital and Innovation in Vietnam”

Beyond professional sharing sessions, the program also created networking opportunities among startups, investors, enterprises, and the innovation community. This is considered an important starting point for future collaboration opportunities, technological development, and international network expansion.

Networking session between speakers and participants

Through presentations, discussions, and multi-stakeholder networking activities, the forum offered practical perspectives on AI trends, venture capital, technological innovation, and the development potential of Vietnamese startups. The program contributed to strengthening collaboration among universities, enterprises, startups, and investors, creating a foundation for transforming knowledge into practical value and expanding opportunities for Vietnamese startups to integrate into the global innovation ecosystem.

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀

Plug and Play Tech Center is a global innovation platform connecting more than 100,000 startups with over 550 corporations and 50 government organizations. Each year, Plug and Play makes more than 250 startup investments and has a portfolio of over 37 unicorns.

Saigon Asset Management is a cross-border investment platform established in 2007, connecting international capital with high-growth businesses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. SAM has completed more than 65 investments across public and private markets, with offices in Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco.

Through the collaboration between University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Plug and Play, and SAM, the program contributed to connecting academic resources, investment, and global innovation, opening up more opportunities for enterprises, startups, and young Vietnamese talents to strengthen their international competitiveness.

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