GreenViet is the leading sustainable building consultant across Southeast Asia. Established about 12 years ago, the company develops green building projects using technical engineering knowledge and software. The founder, Mr. Quang, took time out of his busy schedule to teach us about his entrepreneurial journey. He walked us through the strategies his company implemented to find success in such a niche market. What especially set GreenViet up for success was Mr. Quang’s technical background and industry network. When the company was first founded, his peers in the industry trusted him to do great work. So they hired his company to consult for projects despite lacking any accreditations. This initial boost helped Mr. Quang and his team prove their skill and slowly grow into the successful business they are today.

I was surprised to learn of the massive amount of influence American politics has on the international business environment. One story Mr. Quang told us was about how the size of a Garmin factory being created in Vietnam got cut in half immediately after Trump won. Investors in China feared disruption to their trade so they did not want to risk a large amount of resources on factory development in Vietnam. Beyond this, American sustainability standards have a large role to play in Vietnam factories. Many multinational corporations originating from America use GreenViet’s consulting services for their factories to pass American requirements. This appeases American investors and benefits both the environment and the public perception of the company.

Overall, the visit to GreenViet was an amazing mix of engineering and business. Mr. Quang’s advice on forming successful startups will stick with me for years to come. I enjoyed my time learning about the company and I’m excited to see what other interesting businesses we will visit.