Not long ago, Dr. Vi Chi Thanh (born in 1983), a lecturer at the International University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City), along with his colleagues, launched Brain Life Focus - a smart wearable device applying AI (artificial intelligence) - a "Make in Vietnam" biomedical product.
Dr. Vi Chi Thanh (right) introduces the Vietnamese-developed Brain Life Focus product at CES Las Vegas 2026 - the world's largest technology event held in the US (Photo: BN).
According to Dr. Vi Chi Thanh, his and his colleagues' pioneering startup in the field of Neurotechnology in Vietnam has just received an investment of 10 billion VND from the international venture capital fund IDGX.
This investment will be used to further improve the equipment, as well as to fund production and testing operations.
According to the plan, mass production and large-scale testing with approximately 300 initial users will begin in April.
Nathan Hoang, a representative of the IDGX investment fund, stated that the fund invested after an extremely rigorous due diligence process.
With this investment, they hope to support a Vietnamese startup with the ambition to put Vietnamese neuroscience on the world map and realize the dream of "Make in Vietnam" technology solutions (also the action slogan of the national forum on the development of Vietnamese technology enterprises) that are humane and address the major challenges of the 21st century.
Previously, Brain Life Focus was also selected by Google Cloud as a case study for promising AI development units in Vietnam. Simultaneously, it received a £20,000 grant from the Royal Society of Engineering in the UK.
This is also the only startup representing Vietnam at CES Las Vegas 2026 - the world's largest technology event taking place from January 6th to 9th, 2026 in the US.
International venture capital fund IDGX invests 10 billion VND in a "Make in Vietnam" technology idea (Photo: Hoai Nam).
Dr. Vi Chi Thanh was a student at Luong The Vinh High School in Hanoi . He then pursued undergraduate studies in electronics and telecommunications at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and continued his master's and doctoral studies in the UK, where he spent many years conducting in-depth research and collaborating with international groups.
During his 10 years working in the UK, he published approximately 20 international papers and participated in collaborative projects with major universities worldwide, contributing to the fields of brain-computer interaction and multisensory perception technology.
Dr. Vi Chi Thanh and his family once had a good life and a dream job with a high salary in England. But the Covid-19 pandemic became a turning point that changed his life.
Dr. Vi Chi Thanh was one of the first people to contract Covid-19 in the UK. The pandemic further fueled his longing for Vietnamese culture, his homeland, his family, his parents, and led him to decide to return home. Back in Vietnam, he taught, conducted research, and started a technology business.
Regarding the opinion that Vietnam is considered a "lagging" country in terms of technology, Dr. Vi Chi Thanh said that this is just a perception, and in reality, Vietnam is fully capable of developing in the field of technology.
Dr. Vi Chi Thanh tests the functionality of the product he and his research team developed (Photo: NN).
Scientifically, the root of science lies in connecting with colleagues around the world. Technologically, according to Dr. Vi Chi Thanh, Vietnam does not lack production capacity; its greatest strength lies in its young generation's willingness to learn and research. What these young people need is a seasoned leader to guide them.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/y-tuong-cua-tien-si-8x-nguoi-viet-duoc-dau-tu-10-ty-dong-20260206055719950.htm
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