FINTECH
Notable Fintech matters
MoMo
This is Vietnam’s leading e-wallet platform. We have acted for the fintech company in several rounds of capital raising worth several hundreds of millions of US dollars in several consecutive years. Investment is from international investors such as Goldman Sachs, Standard Chartered P/E fund, IFC (which aborted its subscription), Warburg Pincus, Goodwater Capital, Macquarie Capital, Kora Investments, Mizuho, Ward Ferry, and other investors.
Advance AI
This is a fintech company founded in Singapore, backed by top-tier Asian and US venture capital firms focusing on big data, AI and FinTech investments around the globe. It provides finance solutions through credit scoring, anti-fraud detection, using big data and AI. We advised the client on the legal structure as well as actual conduct of its businesses in Vietnam, including micro lending, from licensing to regulatory advisory, from contract review to corporate matters.
Axinan/Igloo Insure
This is an insuretech startup providing a B2B2C platform for insurance products originated in Singapore and operating in several SEA countries including Vietnam. We reviewed, advised and provided legal opinion on the Vietnam model as part of the startup’s series C fund raising.
Wee Digital/Facepay
Wee Digital provides biometric authentication solutions (known as “Facepay”). We advised and assisted in a complex structure with comprehensive documentation to interpret “Facepay” in merchants’ tech-enabled payment systems, involving the entire payment chain, from merchants (such as convenience stores) to intermediary payment service providers (i.e., e-wallet platforms) and clearing houses (i.e., commercial banks).
Undisclosed Europe-based NASDAQ-listed Fintech Company
This is a leading provider of next-generation payment and financial services with its operations based in Europe. We acted for the client in the acquisition of a Russian-based fintech company with significant micro-lending operations in Vietnam, including conducting extensive legal due diligence of the Vietnam operations and providing legal advice on the regulatory framework for the business in Vietnam.
Trust Circle
This is a Hong Kong-based fintech start-up backed by Texas Pacific Group and developer of a mobile app for enfolded P2P lending of personal savings. We acted with the founders from inception creating a cooperative structure with partners up to the official launch and commercial operation, then merging into a tech P/E fund created by several Skype founders.
TELECOMS – MEDIA – TECHNOLOGY
Notable TMT matters
PropertyGuru
This is the leading real estate online listing agency in Singapore with the largest online property portal in Asia. We act for the client in a wide range of transactions and projects, including the company’s entrance into the Vietnam market through several rounds of acquisition under complex structuring resulting in 100% ownership of Vietnam’s no. 1 real estate listing site (Batdongsan.com), subsequent restructuring of the Vietnam operation for expansion, proposed listing on a foreign stock exchange (along with Allen & Gledhill in Singapore and Sidley Austin and Gilbert + Tobin in Australia), and business combination (F-4) listing on the SEC in the US (along with Latham & Watkins in Singapore, Chandler MHM in Thailand, and Skadden in Hong Kong and the US).
Undisclosed Japanese telecom corporation
We advised on the legal framework for the data center business and assisted in structuring a joint venture with a local partner for a data center in Ho Chi Minh City working with the Tokyo offices of Squire Patton Boggs.
Film Plus
This company provides pay-per-view Over-the-Top (OTP) content (like movies, video streams, television programs, radio programs, news, music, etc.) and linear broadcasting (like OTP television, cable television, digital terrestrial television (DTT)). We assisted them to raise capital from Golden Screen Cinemas of Malaysia.
mHealth
This is a startup backed by Clermont, a healthcare fund based in Singapore. Clermont has the largest network of private hospitals in Vietnam with 12 hospitals and 5 clinics. The startup develops applications for healthcare services, connecting patients and doctors, providing home doctors and nurses, etc. We set up the tech company in Vietnam, prepared all investment documents for Clermont’s funding into the startup, advised on online medical consultation, etc.
Ctrip
This is one of the biggest online booking platforms in China. We acted for them in an acquisition of a fast-growing Vietnamese hotel/airline/travel online booking company. The deal required complex restructuring both pre- and post-closing due to certain ambiguities of the legal framework regulating foreign investment in this sector.
Zone Startups
This tech-support service is from Canada. It provides a platform for tech startups to work and interact with clients and partners, packaged with coaching, mentoring, and advertising programs. In exchange, Zone Startups will have the right to invest in tech startups which use the platform. We have advised Zone Startups in the structuring of legal documents for their services.
WeWork
This American company provides shared workspace and other services for technology startup communities. In connection with WeWork’s restructuring in the US, we have assisted it in connection with its Vietnam stock option plan.
We provided legal advice for businesses via Youtube and other platforms in Vietnam with respect to regulatory requirements for internet-based products, IP protection, content-related regulations, and country-specific compliance issues.
Unnamed American chipmaker
We advised this long time corporate client on its establishment and we continue to advise them on a range of technology-related issues and have done so since their entry into Vietnam.
Samsung
We advised on creating a cloud-based MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) business in Vietnam, a wireless communications service provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure.
Undisclosed Japanese elevator manufacturer
We advised the client on various legal aspects in relation to smart elevators, including import and installation of telecom devices and equipment for elevators, licensing requirements, and overseas data transmission issues.
Uber
We advised the client on the legal framework for the passenger transportation industry, structure of business, and market entry for software applications on a mobile platform, and dealing with regulatory compliance issues.
Nokia
We assisted Nokia in the restructuring of its Vietnamese subsidiary, TNS Mobile, including the transfer of ownership of several Nokia offshore entities, assisting in a range of day-to-day and regulatory matters, including regulatory reports, mobile device type approvals, arrangements with local service providers, providing on-going advice on local regulations in internet and in the telecommunications sector.
Baidu
We advised the client on the regulatory framework for internet-based activities in Vietnam, including legal structures for cooperation with Vietnamese platforms, and assisted in various investments in Vietnam, including the acquisition of a strategic shareholding in an online music platform in Vietnam and subsequent divestment.
iflix
This is a South East Asia focused video streaming service. We advised and helped iflix structure its local presence and cooperation structure with its local partners. We assisted iflix and its Vietnamese partners to prepare contracts with internet content providers (like Pay TV).
Amdocs Software
We provide advice on local internet regulations in the telecommunications sector, advise on regulations in relation to bidding for contracts to provide solutions to Vietnamese telecom companies, address specific telecoms issues.
ACENX
Advised on local regulations in both the internet and in the telecommunications sector.
Luxoft
Advised on local regulations in the internet and in the telecommunications sector, including spectrum frequency, data center, internet content services, resale of telecommunications services and software and other related services.
Symantec
Advised on local internet regulations and on telecommunications issues.
Unnamed telecoms company
Advised on regulatory and related legal matters to set up an online structure to provide pay TV and subscription-based movie streaming services, assist in preparing contractual arrangements with local partners for the operation of the services, registration and protection of trademarks and other IPRs, arrangements for content control and royalties, and related issues.
IP
Advised on local regulations in internet and in the telecommunications sector.
Unnamed European telecoms company
Obtained telecoms license for resale.
Unnamed small American company
Advised on resale of telecoms services.
Unnamed large American telecoms company
Advised on importation of encryption software.
