Citi organizes Vietnam Digital Leaders Summit 2023

Citi brought together about 100 leaders in the Vietnam technology landscape, including founders, management teams, and investors, to discuss how the new economy is shaping the future of Vietnam.

The Vietnam Digital Leaders Summit 2023, hosted by Citi Commercial Bank (CCB) and Citi’s Investment Bank, featured keynote speeches and lively panel discussions covering various topics, from scale-up journeys and macroeconomic challenges to fundraising strategies.

Speakers and panels also touched on investor perspectives on opportunities in Vietnam and stories on the strategic shift in focus from exponential growth to sustainable profitability. Many speakers addressed the opportunities and pitfalls of harnessing AI throughout the day.

Shervone Saw, CCB’s Asia Digital Head, highlighted that Citi established its technology industry vertical eight years ago to support the startup ecosystem. The unit supports technology startups from infancy to maturity, offering customized solutions for every step of the journey.

Citi’s global network powers companies as they expand into new geographies. Citi is a pioneer in the technology industry in Vietnam, witnessing the rapid rise of companies to the unicorn stage.

At the event, James Perry, APAC Co-Head of TMT Investment Banking, showed that in 2023, private investment into technology companies in Southeast Asia is on track to surpass pre-Covid levels, despite substantial declines from the peak levels in 2021.

“We understand the importance of having a structured and dedicated approach to support the demands of fast-growing tech firms, particularly in a low-growth and volatile macro-environment. Our goal is to work with clients to form a winning strategy, to achieve new milestones, and to help them deliver their strategic objectives,” said Lin Hsiu-Yi, ASEAN & Singapore Head of Citi Commercial Bank.

In Vietnam, Citi has supported and served clients for nearly three decades, helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges of rapid growth and international expansion by enabling them to scale faster.

This flagship event served as a platform for engagement, connection, and exploration of new growth opportunities for clients, investors, industry veterans, and the Citi team.

“Whether clients are considering expansion, exploring partnerships, or seeking strategic financing, our dedicated team is ready to support their needs and enable their businesses to get into the next phase of growth,” said Ramachandran A.S., Vietnam Citi Country Officer.