Exciting And Informative Workshop: How To Approach Investment Funds

On Friday November 21, 2025, VICAIT hosted an in-depth roundtable discussion with representatives from Blue Vision Capital and Global Startups Accelerator, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals to explore opportunities in AI, venture capital, and immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada and beyond.

The workshop was led by Brian Bui, who has extensive experience in fundraising and fund management. He is currently the founder and CEO of Mahogany Innovation.

The conversation covered investment strategies, cultural perspectives, challenges faced by immigrant founders, and emerging global opportunities. Below is a full recap of the key insights.

Invest In The Technology That Trend Needs.

Meir Rabkin, representing Blue Vision Capital, shared valuable insights into the current venture capital landscape. He emphasized the importance of skilled dealmakers and the need for both capital access and execution expertise to sustain and grow a fund.

Meir shared his investment approach: instead of focusing on trends, invest in the technology that the trend needs. A central focus of his message was the fund’s strategy in energy-efficiency technologies powering AI. Meir highlighted a striking gap:

• AI is growing 30% per year

• The electrical grid grows only 1% per year

This mismatch presents significant investment potential, particularly for startups that can reduce energy consumption. He mentioned Blue Vision Capital’s interest in companies like Irreversible, a semiconductor startup in redesigning chips to lower energy usage.

Meir advised founders to:

• Clearly articulate their unique value proposition

• Prioritize speed to market

• Focus on customer feedback over perfecting the product

• Leverage early traction

He also shared that the fund is exploring projects across Quebec, the U.S., and Europe.

Thank you Mr. Meir for being so enthusiastic, taking advantage of the waiting time at the airport to share and give valuable advice.

Global AI Investment & Regional Trends

Meir discussed early-stage AI investment opportunities, noting that seed-stage valuations remain reasonable compared to later rounds. He highlighted the strong return potential for infrastructure-focused AI funds.

He also commented on the decline of startup activity in Canada, attributing it partly to immigration policies, and expressed optimism toward Asia—particularly Singapore and Hong Kong—as rising innovation hubs.

Cultural Investment Strategies

A significant part of the discussion explored cultural approaches to investment and risk-taking.

VICAIT highlighted:

• Ability to mobilize capital quickly through networks

• A strong cultural willingness to take risks

• Differences in investment expectations and documentation needs

The group discussed how religious norms, financial procedures, and cultural habits shape investment behavior. The session ended with conversations on the responsibilities and ethics of representing others’ financial interests.

Empowering Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Miryam Lazarte, founder of Global Startups, shared her story of launching the accelerator nine years ago after noticing a lack of programs supporting immigrant founders.

She explained that many accelerators avoid immigrant entrepreneurs citing “low performance,” but she believes the real issue is cultural differences that must be understood and supported.

Key milestones:

• Global Startups has supported over 340 startups

• Two became unicorns in 2022

• They recently launched GSA Ventures, a fund dedicated to backing immigrant founders who often struggle with traditional VCs

Miryam emphasized that immigrant founders need programs that truly understand the realities of building a business, not bureaucratic checklists.

Building a Support System for Immigrant-Led Businesses

Miryam discussed the challenges immigrant founders face and the support required for sustainable growth:

• A strong village of supporters, including experienced investors and mentors

• Programs designed and led by seasoned entrepreneurs, not bureaucrats

• The importance of diverse networks and culturally aware connections

• Navigating the complex Canadian system to unlock opportunities

Insights Into Building a Venture Capital Fund

Miryam also shared her experience establishing her venture fund, offering practical guidance on:

• Selecting the right startups

• Building diverse and capable teams

• Importance of legal documentation and intellectual property protection

• Addressing pipeline challenges

• Strengthening ecosystems that support early-stage ventures

She also provided updates on the Start-Up Visa program, offering potential scenarios and strategies to help founders become more attractive to investors.

Investor Training & Cultural Understanding

Miryam expressed her openness to hosting an investor training session before December 19 and offered her office as a venue. VICAIT noted we would review our agenda and may organize a small session for Vietnamese investors.

The conversation expanded into market analysis, business processes, and understanding cultural differences in investment behavior.

Investment Strategies & Risk Management

The discussion also covered:

• Evaluating investors’ risk appetite

• Challenges of micro-investing

• Assessing real opportunities versus hype

• Investment possibilities in stock, real estate, and other sectors

• Ensuring proper legal compliance and documentation in all deals

Questions form Participants

Participants from varied backgrounds—including finance, technology, and entrepreneurship—shared their career journeys and aspirations.

Several attendees, such as Thanh, Giang, Khoa, and Son, discussed their transitions from finance into other sectors, emphasizing:

• The value of networking and collaboration

• Professionalism in global markets

• Challenges of balancing personal goals and career growth

• Interest in investment opportunities and continued education

Cultural differences and global adaptation were ongoing themes throughout the discussion.

Community Collaboration & Shared Learning

The session concluded with a rich exchange of perspectives on:

• Investment cooperation

• Learning from peers

• Building strong, trust-based relationships

• Operating businesses across Canada, Vietnam, and global markets

• Navigating challenges of diverse business environments

Participants highlighted the value of community, shared knowledge, and long-term partnership.

End with a free “beer & ideas” chat and networking after the formal session.

Closing Thoughts

This roundtable reaffirmed VICAIT’s mission to connect, empower, and elevate Vietnamese professionals in Canada and worldwide. From AI-driven innovation to immigrant entrepreneurship and global investment, the discussion opened new pathways for collaboration and growth.

👉 Stay connected with VICAIT for more community events, investor sessions, and global opportunities.

Together, we Connect. Grow. Innovate.