Despite a cooling global venture capital market due to high interest rates and investor caution, Vietnam’s startup ecosystem has seen several noteworthy funding deals in 2025. Experts view this as a positive sign that Vietnam continues to hold its appeal as an attractive destination for international capital, especially in sectors like technology, digital agriculture, and green energy.

Steady inflows of foreign capital

One of the standout deals in the early part of the year was a US$70 million Series A investment in Techcoop, a high-tech agricultural startup in Ho Chi Minh City. The funding round was led by Singapore-based TNB Aura and Ascend Vietnam Ventures, with participation from global investors including BlueOrchard, FMO, AppWorks, and Capria Ventures. Soon after, Techcoop secured an additional US$28 million from the same group of investors, signaling strong market confidence.

In March, AI startup Filum AI secured US$1 million in funding from Nextrans, VinVentures, and TheVentures. In renewable energy, Stride, a provider of solar power solutions for homes and businesses, received investment from Clime Capital and UOB Venture Management, both based in Singapore.

Another notable deal came from 1Office, which managed to raise US$3 million from Redbadge Pacific and domestic investors. This round marked a strategic shift, as the company announced its entry into the AI era. 1Office plans to develop specialised AI agents in an effort to automate enterprise operations and build a core AI platform with multiple practical applications.

According to Le Viet Thang, CEO and founder of 1Office, the company’s rapid transformation is attracting strong investor interest.

“With a solid presence in Vietnam, 1Office is aiming for a bigger dream of expanding globally and bringing foreign currency back to the country,” he said.

Vietnam as a regional bright spot for innovation

Although total venture capital inflows into Vietnamese startups in the first half of the year dipped slightly year on year to an estimated US$33 - 38 million, the quality of deals has improved, , with more focus on startups with clear business models and real-world solutions.

Investors said Vietnam is a strategic destination for foreign financiers due to its low operational costs, a young and tech-savvy population, an expanding middle class, and rapid digital transformation. These factors all serve to create a fertile ground for startups to develop scalable technology solutions for both domestic and regional markets.

Tran Viet Hung, founder of Got It and partner at Ascend Vietnam Ventures, noted that local startups have matured significantly, showing stronger business models, clearer growth strategies, and better management capacity.

“This gives investors more confidence, even in a less-than-ideal global market. The capital inflows are also shifting from highly competitive markets like China and India, further enhancing Vietnam’s attractiveness,” Hung said.

Prominent funds such as Monk’s Hill, Openspace Ventures, Antler, and AppWorks have already established a presence in the local market or designated it as a priority in their 2025 - 2026 strategies, Hung noted.

In fact, the internal strength of the country’s startup ecosystem has been also increasing. Local incubators and accelerators are playing a key role in enhancing the quality of founding teams, giving startups a firmer foundation when seeking funding.

According to Ho Viet Hai, co-founder and CEO of Alternō, a startup focused on sand battery technology,, startups must now shift their mindset and operations to adapt to tighter funding conditions. Rather than chasing flashy growth, founders should prioritise efficiency, solid financials, and scalable models.

Despite global headwinds, Vietnamese startups are gradually carving out their niche. While foreign investment funds have become more selective, their continued interest remains a key driver in the development of the country’s innovation ecosystem in the coming period.

Vietnamese AI startup secures US$1 million from leading investment funds

VOV.VN - Vietnamese AI startup Filum AI announced on March 18 that it has successfully raised US$1 million from prominent investment funds in the region, including Nextrans, VinVentures, TheVentures, and other strategic investors.