Kieu My (Kimiko) Doan

Kimi is the trusted source for high-level global connections for frontier technology, deep tech and blockchain with a focus on South East Asia. 

In 2018, Kimi founded YellowBlocks - the first consulting firm in Vietnam focusing on Emerging Tech - which quickly became the trusted partner for more than 120 organizations in over 40 countries, including 4 governments (Vietnam, Australia, Singapore and Austria).

Kimi holds a BSc with merit from the Helsinki University of Technology, and a first-class honour MBA at the University of Gloucestershire, UK. She has a deep understanding and passion for frontier technology (especially blockchain and metaverse) both in terms of the technology stack, business use cases and growth hacking with marketing, communications and community. 
 

After multiple years of being a change agent to promote innovation, revenue growth and massive brand awareness for multiple industries, Kimi has set up strategies and foundations for tech products/services to penetrate new markets and new countries. She has led 30+ high-profile multi-million marketing projects for premium brands as well as setting up global operations for a brand from the ground up. She led the team to organize the global most prestigious competition for the Marketing/Communications Industry for Cannes Lions in Vietnam.
 

Her vision can be found in a recent interview with Dinis Guarda.

About Vietnam

"If I have to describe Vietnam in one word I would say opportunity. In recent years, Vietnam has become a startup hub, one of the hottest destinations in South Asia. Many investors are looking at Vietnam to set up their companies and invest in the new growing startup ecosystem.

The reason why we have such a growing startup ecosystem is that we have shifted from a traditional, agricultural based country to an emerging and innovative one. Vietnam has embraced new technologies to boost innovation and people, especially young people, feel more confident to start their own businesses using what technologies can offer. Everything is happening very fast in Vietnam, we have harnessed globalization and new technologies, which has made Vietnam a hotbed for innovation.

Also equally important was education. Some years ago, computer science and technology related studies became the most sought after for students and universities started to offer more and more of these degrees. This helped literate a whole generation that now feels confident and empowered to become entrepreneurs."

About YellowBlocks

“What I have seen in my experience is that digital technology needs to be trusted to be really well exploited. YellowBlocks is one such platform that was created to leverage that. YellowBlocks is a trusted business/marketing consulting firm and B2B connector – the gateway to and from Vietnam and the world, in regards to the emerging tech ecosystem (AI/ML/Robotics, Blockchain, Cloud, Data). Currently, we have more than 120 strategic partners and guest advisors, with an extended reach of 100,000+ audience in the tech/ startup space. Our network comprises Ecosystem builders, Tech communities, Academic communities (Universities and Research Institutes), VCs/ Incubators/Accelerators, Global Associations, Top Media / Marketing Agencies, Management consultants / advisors… in Vietnam, US, Europe and SouthEast Asia. Just to name a few: Startup Vietnam Foundation, European Blockchain Hub, Nhip Cau Dau Tu, Global Blockchain Chamber of Commerce, RMIT University, Saigon Innovation Hub, Google Developers Group, North Head Capital, SGInnovate, Business Finland”.

Technology trends in Vietnam

"We have a really young population, technical and well-trained so one of the industries that are growing really fast is high-tech manufacturing. We are also seeing a lot of smart city technologies being developed and deployed very fast. Rural-to-urban migration is really high in Vietnam so these technologies are critical for sustainable growth.

From my own observation and what the data from YellowBlocks tell us, I see that there are some upcoming big trends in terms of innovation in Vietnam. For example, platforms that are able to connect different manufacturers, e-commerce apps and companies, etc.

We also have a really growing influencer market in South East Asia. For example, Tik Tok when it first launched picked Vietnam to test the social media app first. That is a good example of how fast and the importance Vietnam is having in the world."