Timeline: Thursday, 22 January – Friday, 23 January 2026 (13:00 on 22 Jan – 12:00 on 23 Jan)
Venue: The Sentry C (15 Le Thanh Ton Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City)
Raise Partners and Vietnam Innovators Digest, took place over two half-days on January 22–23, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and expert speakers to explore how ESG-driven transitions are reshaping the future of Vietnamese businesses—particularly SMEs and startups.
Under the theme “ESG’s Competitive Edge: Navigating Trade Shifts, Climate Risks & Investor Demands,” the Forum highlighted three interconnected forces influencing SMEs and startups today:
- evolving ESG-linked requirements for access to export markets,
- rising investor expectations around sustainability in capital allocation and green finance decisions, and
climate- and labor-related risks that are increasingly affecting operating costs and long-term scalability.
ESG is Moving from “Optional” to “Expected”
SMEs and startups remain central to Vietnam’s economy. Together, they account for approximately 98% of all enterprises, contribute over 45% of GDP, play a significant role in export activities, and generate more than 60% of total employment.
At the same time, the business environment is shifting rapidly as global frameworks governing trade, climate policy, and investment continue to evolve. Requirements related to traceability, carbon emissions, labor standards, and supply chain governance—especially in the European Union and other developed markets—are gradually moving ESG from a voluntary consideration to a standard expectation for international market access and financing.
For Vietnamese SMEs and startups, the focus is therefore shifting from whether ESG should be adopted to how it can be implemented practically and proportionately, given limited resources and increasing competitive pressures.
From Concept to Execution: ESG as a Growth Enabler
Within this context, the Forum was designed as a space for shared learning and practical dialogue, examining how ESG considerations are shaping competitiveness across trade, investment, and supply chains.
Rather than approaching ESG purely as a conceptual framework, Day 1 emphasized applied tools and real-world approaches—guided by a key question:
How can ESG strengthen business growth and resilience, rather than simply adding complexity or cost?
The plenary session, “New Rules, New Winners,” explored how Vietnamese SMEs can respond to ESG-related shifts at both global and domestic levels, highlighting opportunities where early alignment may support market access and unlock new business potential.
ESGWings Investment Participates as Guest and Speaker
ESGWings Investment was pleased to join the event as both a guest and a speaking participant, engaging directly with SMEs and startups through discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Representing ESGWings Investment at the Forum were:
- Dr. William L. Nolten – Region Asia-Pacific Director, ESG Wings Investment JSC & Golden Gate BCE Group; Senior Advisor, Vietnam Partners LLC
- Ms. Hoang Le Phuong Thao – CEO, ESGWings Investment
- Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu – COO, ESGWings Investment
At the Forum, the speakers shared insights and perspectives on ESG investment and implementation in Vietnam for SMEs and startups, emphasizing the importance of practical, credible, and scalable approaches that align sustainability outcomes with business performance.
Notably, Dr. William L. Nolten delivered a presentation on “ESG in Green Finance & Sustainable Funding,” addressing:
- the strategic importance of ESG in enabling access to green finance and sustainable capital,
- common implementation challenges SMEs face in practice, and
- how businesses can better understand and meet ESG Green Finance criteria in a realistic, step-by-step manner.
His session was well received for its practical relevance and clarity, offering actionable guidance and addressing participants’ key questions on how to begin and scale ESG initiatives effectively.
Mr. William shared insights at the event.
