Saigon Founders Meetup & Startup Fair 2026 – Cardano Event Recap
Ho Chi Minh City | May 24, 2026, Cardano Vietnam x Hub Network
Overview
On May 24, 2026, the Saigon Founders Meetup & Startup Fair 2026 was successfully held at SIHUB – Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Hub.
Organized by Cardano Vietnam in collaboration with Hub Network, the meetup gathered 124 founders, startups, and Cardano builders out of 146 registrations, creating a vibrant space for discussions around blockchain entrepreneurship, fundraising, governance, and sustainable startup development.
The meetup focused on a key question facing the next generation of founders:
How can blockchain startups move beyond technology narratives and build sustainable businesses with strong governance, scalable models, and smart capital strategies?
Meetup Highlights
- Total registrations: 146
- Participants: 124 founders, startups, and ecosystem builders
- Venue: SIHUB – Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Hub
- Focus areas: Blockchain, FinTech, governance, fundraising, startup building, and ecosystem collaboration
The meetup created meaningful connections between startup founders, builders, investors, and ecosystem participants within Vietnam’s growing Web3 landscape.
1. Opening Remarks
The meetup opened with remarks from Huynh Duc, Program Manager at iHub Ventures.
He emphasized the growing importance of:
- Innovation and digital transformation
- Ecosystem collaboration
- Sustainable startup development
A key message from the opening session highlighted the transition from:
“tech-first” thinking → toward “business-first, tech-driven” execution
Founders were encouraged to focus not only on technology, but also on governance, market scalability, execution capability, and long-term business sustainability.
2. Keynote: Cardano & Governance Blockchain – Fundraising & Startup Opportunities
Sang Nguyen delivered a keynote session exploring how Cardano and governance-based blockchain infrastructure create opportunities for startup growth and fundraising.
Key discussion points included:
- Governance as a long-term strategic advantage
- Funding opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem
- Building sustainable Web3 startups with decentralized infrastructure
- The importance of transparency, collaboration, and ecosystem alignment
The session also highlighted how Cardano’s governance model can support founders looking to scale responsibly in an increasingly competitive global environment.
3. Panel Discussion: The Future of Blockchain & FinTech Entrepreneurship
A panel discussion featuring:
- Sang Nguyen
- Minh Bui
- Huynh Duc
explored the future of entrepreneurship across Blockchain, AI, and FinTech from legal, founder, and investor perspectives.
Key insights included:
- The importance of legal clarity and compliance in Vietnam
- The role of governance in building sustainable blockchain ecosystems
- Challenges and opportunities for founders in the evolving Web3 market
- How ecosystem collaboration can accelerate startup growth and innovation
The discussion provided attendees with practical perspectives on navigating the intersection of technology, regulation, and business strategy.
4. Startup Fair, Community Engagement & Networking
Beyond the keynote sessions and panel discussion, the meetup also featured:
- Startup networking activities
- Ecosystem connection sessions
- Community engagement activities and mini-games
- Startup exhibition opportunities
Participants were able to connect directly with founders, builders, investors, and ecosystem representatives while exchanging ideas and exploring future collaboration opportunities.
A special highlight was the opportunity to engage with startup projects and initiatives connected to the broader innovation ecosystem in Vietnam.
Community Reflections
The meetup successfully demonstrated the growing intersection between:
- Blockchain innovation
- Startup entrepreneurship
- Governance infrastructure
- Sustainable ecosystem development
Participants expressed strong interest in Cardano’s governance model, fundraising opportunities, and the long-term potential for building scalable startups within the ecosystem.
The event also reinforced the importance of creating practical spaces where founders, builders, and communities can collaborate directly.
Closing & Appreciation
The Saigon Founders Meetup & Startup Fair 2026 successfully connected the Cardano ecosystem with Vietnam’s startup and innovation community, opening new opportunities in:
- Fundraising
- Ecosystem collaboration
- Governance-based startup development
- Sustainable business growth
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all speakers, participants, startup founders, and partners who contributed to the success of this meetup.
Special thanks to Hub Network, SIHUB, and all strategic partners for their collaboration and support.
We also extend our gratitude to the Cardano Foundation, Cardano Community, and Project Catalyst for their continued support in strengthening the Cardano ecosystem and community initiatives in Vietnam.
We look forward to future collaborations connecting builders, founders, and innovators across the region.
Stay Connected
- Cardano Vietnam Community (Telegram): Telegram: View @CardanoVNCommunity
- Cardano Vietnam Twitter: https://x.com/VietnamCardano
Cardano Ambassadors in Vietnam:
– Ha Nguyen: https://x.com/Hahero7
– Mie Tran: https://x.com/mietran0407
See you all at the next event.
On behalf of the organizing committee,
Ha Nguyen
Cardano Ambassador
Cardano Vietnam Community