Vietnam FinTech Scene: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly | Ryan Galloway, Country Director, Funding Societies | Zero to X S2E04

SUBCRIBE NOW to receive notification on the latest episode. Watch on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/YoutubeZerotoX⁠⁠⁠ Become a Sponsor: ⁠⁠https://docsend.com/view/6tzsgiua7tav7b92⁠ In this episode of Zero to X, host Ruby Nguyen sits down with Ryan Galloway, the Country Director of Funding Societies Vietnam, a leading FinTech startup that has facilitated over $3 billion in financing for SMEs across Southeast Asia. With 13 years of experience in finance and technology, Ryan has built an impressive career in Vietnam, navigating challenges and opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Ryan shares his unique journey from being a lawyer to becoming a FinTech leader and why he considers himself an "intrapreneur"—someone who acts like a founder within the companies he works for. He opens up about the realities of building a startup in Vietnam, discussing the rise of innovative technologies like QR codes, the challenges of accessing capital, and the secrets to thriving in a dynamic market. This episode also dives into personal reflections, including the loneliness of leadership, lessons learned from a $120 million mistake, and how boxing helps him manage stress. Ryan’s humor and transparency make this conversation both insightful and relatable for entrepreneurs and professionals alike. Whether you’re interested in Vietnam’s FinTech revolution, the power of intrapreneurship, or the personal stories of resilience behind business success, this episode has it all. 🔔 Subscribe now to discover untold stories of entrepreneurship and innovation on Zero to X. Buy us a coffee that powers the podcast and the host: ☕ ⁠ ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ruby.zerotox⁠⁠ ☕ ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rubyyeukhoinghiep⁠⁠ ✉️ Contact us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you have any feedback or collaboration request. 🔊 Shoutout to our sponsor WorkFlow Focus Space - check them out if you’re looking for a workspace with great flexibility, delicious food, and inspiration-induced coffee at a SURPRISINGLY reasonable cost. #khởinghiệp #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #kinhdoanh #khoinghiep #Startups #funding #fintech #Entrepreneurship #ZeroToXPodcast Timestamps 0:00 Meet our guest, Ryan Galloway 3:28 The story of landing then staying in VN for 13 years 9:24 The love for entrepreneurship and his journey in Fintech 15:45 The evolution of Fintech 18:57 The key difference between leading financial technology markets 21:31 The future of fintech in Vietnam 24:47 Untapped opportunity in fintech in Vietnam 27:11 Setting up his own company? 28:18 Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur 31:23 Biggest mistake during his career 38:53 Attachment, detachment and work-life balance 46:35 Being a person who listens 50:13 Fun Q&A's