UII Sip & Share #2: Strengthening international connections and sharing experiences in developing startups in Vietnam

08 May, 2026

The UII Sip & Share #2 event, held on May 7, 2026, at UEH Vo Thi Sau Campus, provided in-depth guidance on legal and governance frameworks to support domestic and international startup projects in their development process within Vietnam. Through a discussion session featuring two speakers, Mr. Matthew Lourey (Chairman of Alitium) and Mr. Pham Nguyen Hoang Thinh (CEO of STEAMax), founders gained insights into market entry strategies and the latest compliance regulations for 2026. Notably, the participation of partners from Nanyang Technological University and six educational technology (EdTech) projects from Quest Ventures (Singapore) opened vital international networking opportunities for projects at the UII Startup Incubator, affirming the program’s role in creating an innovation ecosystem with practical and sustainable connections.

UII Sip & Share #2 : Legal & Governance Policy Guide for Startup Growth

Sip & Share is a recurring series of activities designed as a close, open space for founders, experts, and investors to exchange ideas and build substantive connections. In this second edition, the program attracted nearly 60 participants – one of the largest turnouts to date-creating an incredibly vibrant atmosphere for networking and exchange.

Overview of the cozy connecting space and vibrant networking activities at the event

The event kicked off at UEH Vo Thi Sau Campus with an enthusiastic Icebreaking activity. Founders were encouraged to interact and discuss the real-world challenges their startups are facing with other projects at their tables. This close and open atmosphere set a comfortable tone for the projects to enter the main discussion session with the two speakers.

Founders interacting and discussing the practical challenges their startup projects are facing

The discussion session focused on sharing experiences regarding market access and essential legal frameworks to note in Vietnam for these projects.

Mr. Matthew Lourey, Chairman of Alitium, shared invaluable lessons drawn from over three decades of financial consulting and supporting foreign investors entering the Vietnamese market.
Mr. Pham Nguyen Hoang Thinh, Founder and CEO of STEAMax, provided useful information through practical experiences in building his own project.

The panel discussion resolved many key bottlenecks related to market entry strategies, the latest updates on 2026 legal regulations, and practical considerations for both domestic and international startups developing in the Vietnamese market. These insights help projects correctly understand mechanisms to effectively leverage support resources, thereby building a sustainable growth roadmap and minimizing risks.

Mr. Matthew Lourey, Chairman of Alitium, sharing valuable insights at UII Sip & Share #2

Mr. Pham Nguyen Hoang Thinh, Founder and CEO of STEAMax, sharing practical experiences with the projects

A special highlight of this Sip & Share was the participation of an international partner delegation from Singapore, including representatives from Nanyang Technological University and EdTech startups from Quest Ventures. Their goal was to seek and establish cooperation opportunities with potential projects in Vietnam, creating a foundation for their official market entry in the future. The event facilitated opportunities for projects within the UII Incubation to connect, exchange, and seek collaboration with these international counterparts.

Interaction and meeting between startups from the UII Startup Incubator and educational technology startups from Quest Ventures

The event concluded in a warm atmosphere, reaffirming the role of UII Sip & Share as a vital bridge helping members of the UII ecosystem meet, connect, and share to develop their projects together. This edition opened long-term cooperation opportunities, helping founders find not only strategic partners but also access to investors and useful regional relationships. These sustainable connections serve as valuable preparation for startups to become more resilient in management, achieve strong breakthroughs, and reach out to the international market in the next phase.