AI Tinkerers - Ho Chi Minh City: Microsoft for Startups Event - AI Startup Founders & VC Mixer
What VCs Are Looking for in AI Startups
Event Overview
Microsoft will convene AI founders, venture capital investors, and technology leaders for a focused evening of candid insights and high-value connections. The program combines an investor panel on what VCs seek in AI startups, a technical fireside chat with a Microsoft leader, and a dinner mixer designed to spark practical follow-up conversations.
Core Message
AI investors are looking beyond impressive demos. They want differentiated technology, credible teams, real customer value, responsible execution, and a scalable business model.
Event Objectives
Give founders a clearer view of how investors evaluate AI companies.
Help founders sharpen their fundraising narrative and investment readiness.
Share practical Microsoft perspectives on building secure, scalable, differentiated AI solutions.
Create meaningful connections among founders, VCs, and ecosystem leaders in Vietnam.
Audience
AI startup founders, venture capital investors, ecosystem partners, and Microsoft business and technical leaders.
Program at a Glance
4:00 - 4:10pm - Welcome & Opening
Julie Bulaklak -Microsoft Startup Lead ASEAN
4:10pm - 4:55pm - VC Panel | 45 mins
AVV, Do Ventures, GenAI Funds
Moderator: Antron Lim Microsoft Private Capital Lead, APAC
What VCs are looking for in AI startups, followed by founder questions.
4:55pm - 5:05pm - Transition Break
Refreshments and informal introductions.
5:05pm - 5:35pm - Technical Fireside | 30 mins
Gabe Hollombe Microsoft, Director of Solution Engineering, Startups / Asia
Moderator: Son Le
Gabe and his team of Solution Engineers love working with rapidly growing AI-centric startups to help them scale and succeed using Microsoft's cloud services, programs, and tools. Gabe has over two decades of experience working in startups and has spent many years helping build developer communities online and in-person. He says his best days are when he gets to help teams solve real problems with pragmatic solutions that deliver tangible business outcomes for customers.
5:35pm - 6:00pm - Founder & VC Mixer
Networking and dinner. Dinner will be served.
About sixonefourlabs
A 10-week hybrid & part-time software engineering residency in Ho Chi Minh City. Built for the era when AI writes the code, and humans own the outcomes.
We are accepting applications for the cohort 1 in HCMC. Applications closed on 31/08/2026
Visit our website to learn more https://www.sixonefourlabs.com/
Check out our credentials for the cohort 0 testimonials https://www.linkedin.com/posts/done-and-dusted-yesterday-we-held-the-graduation-ugcPost-7484227572294131712-dNa6