VPLLC Launches VPCEI: A Purpose-Built Innovation Platform for Vietnam’s Decade of Transformation
Vietnam stands at a defining moment. From AI to ESG, from global trade shifts to talent migration, the country faces both challenge and opportunity. Yet behind every headline about “emerging markets” are entrepreneurs—real people running real businesses, navigating uncertainty while chasing growth. In this context, a new initiative is helping Vietnam move forward—not with hype, but with capacity, capital, and clarity. This September, the VP Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (VPCEI) will officially launch in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a uniquely tailored innovation platform designed to meet the real-world needs of Vietnamese founders, business owners, and corporate innovators.
If you’ve ever pitched a product but couldn’t secure investment… If your team lacked ESG knowledge or global exposure… Or if your startup has hit a ceiling due to lack of support—VPCEI was built for you.
Why VPCEI, Why Now?
Unlike accelerator models such as Y Combinator or 500 Global—built for Silicon Valley’s ecosystem—VPCEI takes a different path. Instead of chasing unicorns, it invests in real, scalable businesses that solve local problems and are aligned with national priorities. The model integrates three core engines: world-class training, practical research & policy, and early-stage venture funding.
Built for Vietnam, with the World in Mind
VPCEI was founded under the leadership of Bradley Lalonde, Chairman of Vietnam Partners LLC, a veteran U.S. investor with over 30 years of experience in Vietnam. Lalonde first arrived in April 1994 to establish Citibank Vietnam, serving as its first CEO and helping to lay the foundation for international financial services in the country. In 2017, a team of MBA candidates from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business (MAP Program) partnered with Vietnam Partners LLC to develop the original business plan for VPCEI. Their final report, and a subsequent WDI feature, highlighted Lalonde’s long-standing belief: “Entrepreneurship is the answer to the war on poverty. But to scale that answer in Vietnam, we need more than capital—we need capability, connectivity, and commitment.” VPCEI brings that vision to life.
The platform is deeply aligned with Resolution No. 57/NQ-TW on fostering science, technology, and innovation, and Resolution No. 68/NQ-TW on strengthening a dynamic, self-reliant private sector. In practical terms, that means helping businesses move from ideas to action, and from compliance to competitiveness.
What Makes VPCEI Different?
What Entrepreneurs Are Saying
If you’re a business owner struggling with ESG compliance… If you’re a startup founder looking for real capital—not just “networking”—or if you’re part of a corporation navigating digital transformation, VPCEI was designed with your voice in mind.
No more generic workshops. No more missed funding. No more waiting on broken systems. VPCEI brings it together: education → policy alignment → capital → international scale.
Measurable Results by 2030
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10,000+ leaders trained
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100+ startups supported
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$5M+ in capital deployed
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Localized ESG dashboards in use
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National-private ecosystem platform established
These aren’t just KPIs—they’re outcomes Vietnamese entrepreneurs can experience directly.
Be Part of the First Cohort
VPCEI’s inaugural Global Mini-MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation launches September 20, 2025. Whether you’re scaling a business or rethinking your corporate strategy, this is where transformation begins.
👉 Apply now at www.vpcei.com
📩 Contact: phoenix@vietnampartners.com
VPCEI: From Vietnam. For Vietnam. Built to Scale.
Vietnam Partners LLC is a pioneering investment and advisory firm dedicated to Vietnam’s sustainable growth by fostering innovation and empowering the next generation. With a decades-long track record, the firm identifies and supports high-potential businesses, providing capital and strategic guidance while facilitating market access and developing future leaders through education and mentorship. Driven by its core values of innovation, sustainability, partnership, integrity, and impact, Vietnam Partners LLC believes in the transformative power of entrepreneurship to create a lasting positive impact on Vietnam and its people.
ABOUT WILLIAM DAVIDSON INSTITUTE (WDI) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The William Davidson Institute (WDI), founded in 1992, is a solutions-driven non-profit organization affiliated with the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA. Operating at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and impact, WDI works to strengthen economic development in emerging markets by equipping individuals, businesses, and institutions with the tools of commercial success.
ABOUT THE WDI ACADEMY
WDI’s training is offered through the WDI Academy, which delivers high-impact programs in leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Academy’s long-term goal is to accelerate equitable economic development in emerging markets by equipping changemakers with practical skills and fresh thinking.
The WDI Academy programs emphasize high-touch learning, contextualized content, academic rigor, and real-world application. Programs are rigorously assessed and continuously improved to maximize their impact. Drawing on the latest insights from the University of Michigan and strong local partnerships, WDI helps build lasting learning communities and delivers measurable outcomes. To date, WDI has trained over 17,000 practitioners and students from more than 8,000 organizations around the world.
ABOUT THE STEPHEN M. ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (branded as Michigan Ross) is a world-renowned business school at the University of Michigan, a leading public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Originally established in 1924 as the School of Business Administration, Michigan Ross has grown into a global leader in business education. Today, it offers a wide range of programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as comprehensive executive education programs. Michigan Ross also collaborates with other colleges and schools within the University of Michigan to provide valuable dual degree opportunities.
Michigan Ross is distinguished by its commitment to action-based learning, which immerses students in real-world business challenges. The school boasts a distinguished faculty, cutting-edge research, and a strong emphasis on developing ethical and impactful leaders. Michigan Ross maintains a substantial endowment, reflecting its financial strength and commitment to excellence.