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Van Nguyen — Founder & CEO of SmartR | Building AI-Driven Learning and HR Solutions in Vietnam
Sponsor The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people. CavnessHR provides a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com
Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.
Powered By Earth VC is on a mission to unf@#k the earth. They do this by supporting breakthrough scientific research, empowering outlier founders to build enduring climate businesses, and investing in high-growth startups that decarbonize the world.
Earth VC invests from pre-seed to Series A. If you think you might be a match, reach out at [email protected].
Van's Bio Van Nguyen is an experienced executive with over 20 years of experience in product development, sales, and operations, spanning both startups and multinational corporations.
After years working in the U.S., Van returned to Vietnam to found SmartR, an EdTech and HRTech company offering data-driven solutions to help businesses plan, implement, and track talent development programs. His goal: to maximize human capital and build learning cultures inside organizations.
Prior to SmartR, Van held leadership roles at NOV, a global oil and gas technology company, where he led teams across marketing, strategy, and operations. He also co-founded startups including iamViet, a social network for overseas Vietnamese, and Dreamer Land, a virtual reality arcade.
Van describes himself as a passionate entrepreneur, corporate innovator, and avid learner, with a mission to help young talent reach their full potential.
We talked about the following and other items • Van's background and early career in the U.S. • Founding SmartR and building in Vietnam's tech ecosystem • Vietnam as a business hub and startup destination • Entrepreneurship and leadership lessons from NOV • AI in HR and the future of people analytics • The importance of learning culture in modern companies • Managing teams and setting expectations across cultures • Product development and SmartR's growth strategy • Customer acquisition and enterprise vs. SaaS business models • Pricing strategy and adapting to local markets • Daily habits, resilience, and personal growth routines • The founder mindset and long-term vision • Balancing work, family, and personal philosophy • Reflections on religion, consciousness, and the multiverse • Humanity, ethics, and technology's role in our evolution
Van's Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandn/ Company Website: https://smartr.co/
Van's Advice "For those doing business in Vietnam — it's a great market with tremendous potential. Set the right expectations and learn to manage local teams effectively. For founders everywhere — build your business around a real reason and passion. Because when the money doesn't come or the traction slows, it's that deeper purpose that keeps you fighting the fight."
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By Jason Cavness
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Sponsor The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people. CavnessHR provides a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com
Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.
Powered By Earth VC is on a mission to unf@#k the earth. They do this by supporting breakthrough scientific research, empowering outlier founders to build enduring climate businesses, and investing in high-growth startups that decarbonize the world.
Earth VC invests from pre-seed to Series A. If you think you might be a match, reach out at [email protected].
Van's Bio Van Nguyen is an experienced executive with over 20 years of experience in product development, sales, and operations, spanning both startups and multinational corporations.
After years working in the U.S., Van returned to Vietnam to found SmartR, an EdTech and HRTech company offering data-driven solutions to help businesses plan, implement, and track talent development programs. His goal: to maximize human capital and build learning cultures inside organizations.
Prior to SmartR, Van held leadership roles at NOV, a global oil and gas technology company, where he led teams across marketing, strategy, and operations. He also co-founded startups including iamViet, a social network for overseas Vietnamese, and Dreamer Land, a virtual reality arcade.
Van describes himself as a passionate entrepreneur, corporate innovator, and avid learner, with a mission to help young talent reach their full potential.
We talked about the following and other items • Van's background and early career in the U.S. • Founding SmartR and building in Vietnam's tech ecosystem • Vietnam as a business hub and startup destination • Entrepreneurship and leadership lessons from NOV • AI in HR and the future of people analytics • The importance of learning culture in modern companies • Managing teams and setting expectations across cultures • Product development and SmartR's growth strategy • Customer acquisition and enterprise vs. SaaS business models • Pricing strategy and adapting to local markets • Daily habits, resilience, and personal growth routines • The founder mindset and long-term vision • Balancing work, family, and personal philosophy • Reflections on religion, consciousness, and the multiverse • Humanity, ethics, and technology's role in our evolution
Van's Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandn/ Company Website: https://smartr.co/
Van's Advice "For those doing business in Vietnam — it's a great market with tremendous potential. Set the right expectations and learn to manage local teams effectively. For founders everywhere — build your business around a real reason and passion. Because when the money doesn't come or the traction slows, it's that deeper purpose that keeps you fighting the fight."