Econ
Germany’s Vietnamese-born former vice chancellor takes job in Vietnam
Philipp Roesler is expected to support Vietnamese startups to go global.
VinaCapital Ventures, the technology investment company of VinaCapital, announced the appointment of Vietnamese-born Philipp Roesler, former German vice chancellor, as the Chairman of its Advisory Board as well as its two latest investments in Urbox and Wee Digital.
As Chairman of the Advisory Board, Roesler will provide counsel for both VinaCapital Ventures and its investees, stated VinaCapital in a statement.
“In Europe, he was as a bridge between German startups and Silicon Valley, and now he will play this and other roles for startups in Vietnam,” stated Don Lam, co-founder of VinaCapital.
For his part, Roesler said VinaCapital has given him an opportunity to work “in the country of my birth”, adding that “Vietnam is blessed with enormous energy and talent and I look forward to playing a part in helping Vietnamese startups realize their full potential.”
Roesler became the first German federal minister of Asian heritage in 2009 when he was appointed Minster of Health, he is also a cardiothoracic surgeon by training.
In 2011, Roesler became Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Technology, and it was while serving in this role that he became actively engaged with and promoted the German start-up community.
He was the steward of the High-Tech Gruenderfonds, a public-private partnership which has invested nearly EUR3 billion (US$3.39 billion) and successfully launched more than 500 high-tech companies.
He has also served as an advisor to the Founder’s Fund, a US-based technology fund known for its engagement in companies such as Space X, Uber, PayPal, and Palantir. Following his government service, Roesler joined the managing board of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and served as the CEO of the HCCF, a charity based in New York.
Born in what is now Soc Trang province in 1973, Roesler was adopted at a young age and grew up in Germany.
Philipp Roesler. Source: Spiegel.de
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“In Europe, he was as a bridge between German startups and Silicon Valley, and now he will play this and other roles for startups in Vietnam,” stated Don Lam, co-founder of VinaCapital.
For his part, Roesler said VinaCapital has given him an opportunity to work “in the country of my birth”, adding that “Vietnam is blessed with enormous energy and talent and I look forward to playing a part in helping Vietnamese startups realize their full potential.”
Roesler became the first German federal minister of Asian heritage in 2009 when he was appointed Minster of Health, he is also a cardiothoracic surgeon by training.
In 2011, Roesler became Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Technology, and it was while serving in this role that he became actively engaged with and promoted the German start-up community.
He was the steward of the High-Tech Gruenderfonds, a public-private partnership which has invested nearly EUR3 billion (US$3.39 billion) and successfully launched more than 500 high-tech companies.
He has also served as an advisor to the Founder’s Fund, a US-based technology fund known for its engagement in companies such as Space X, Uber, PayPal, and Palantir. Following his government service, Roesler joined the managing board of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and served as the CEO of the HCCF, a charity based in New York.
Born in what is now Soc Trang province in 1973, Roesler was adopted at a young age and grew up in Germany.
