Meetup Recap – Cardano University Meetup #1: Venture Capital & Startup Fundraising
(Ho Chi Minh City | July 19, 2026)
Overview
On July 19, 2026, Cardano University Meetup #1 was successfully held at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City.
The meetup was co-organized by Cardano Vietnam, Hub Network, and Inntech, bringing together more than 48 students and young founders from over 78 registrations.
Designed as an educational meetup, the event introduced participants to venture capital, startup fundraising, and practical investment strategies, while showcasing how the Cardano ecosystem and Project Catalyst can support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Meetup Highlights
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Total registrations: 78+ participants
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Actual participation: 48+ students and young founders
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Audience: University students, aspiring founders, and startup enthusiasts
Key takeaway:
The meetup provided participants with practical insights into startup fundraising—from understanding investment funds and venture capital to developing investor-ready pitches and exploring decentralized funding opportunities through the Cardano ecosystem.
Opening Remarks
The meetup opened with welcoming remarks from Ms. Mai Huynh (representative of the Nguyen Tat Thanh University ). She emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship education and early fundraising for students.
She also highlighted the value of connecting higher education with emerging technologies, recognizing Cardano’s role in bridging blockchain innovation with academic learning and startup development.
Keynote 1: Overview of Investment Funds & the Fundraising Ecosystem
Mr. Sang Nguyen from Cardano Vietnam shared an overview of the startup fundraising landscape, comparing traditional venture capital with decentralized funding models.
The session covered:
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How venture capital funds evaluate startup opportunities
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The startup fundraising journey from idea to growth
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The role of Project Catalyst as a community-driven innovation funding platform within the Cardano ecosystem
Keynote 2: Practical Pitching Skills & Term Sheet Negotiation
Mr. Nguyen Le Kha (Director – Sigma Investment & Trading JSC) delivered a practical session on preparing startups for investment.
Participants gained insights into:
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Building effective investor pitch decks
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Structuring financial models
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Understanding and negotiating term sheets
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Presenting startup ideas with greater confidence to potential investors
Community Impact
University Meetup #1 created an engaging environment where students could better understand both traditional and decentralized fundraising models while connecting with experienced founders and industry professionals.
By combining practical startup knowledge with Cardano’s governance and innovation ecosystem, the meetup encouraged the next generation of entrepreneurs to think beyond technology and focus on building scalable, sustainable ventures.
Closing & Appreciation
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all speakers, students, partners, and community members who contributed to the success of this meetup.
Special thanks to Hub Network, Inntech, and Nguyen Tat Thanh University for their collaboration in making this educational initiative possible.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Cardano Foundation and Project Catalyst for their continued support of education, community initiatives, and ecosystem development. Their commitment continues to empower local communities like Vietnam to learn, build, and contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem.
We look forward to welcoming more students, builders, and future founders at upcoming Cardano Vietnam meetups.
Stay Connected
- Cardano Vietnam Community (Telegram): Telegram: View @CardanoVNCommunity
- Cardano Vietnam Twitter: Cardano Vietnam (@VietnamCardano) / X
Cardano Ambassadors in Vietnam:
– Ha Nguyen: ハー Ha Nguyen (@Hahero7) / X
– Mie Tran: Mie Tran (C3ETH) (@mietran0407) / X
On behalf of the organizing committee,
Ha Nguyen
Cardano Ambassador
Cardano Vietnam Community