“The moment you stop treating the company only as yours, people begin caring about it as theirs.”
This week, I had a discussion with a founder about governance and decision-making, the kind of conversation that can easily feel uncomfortable or even like micro-management if not handled with the right context. It didn’t escalate because I understood that feeling, I’ve been there myself.
By definition, returns come from seeing things before they’re obvious.
That requires holding incomplete or unpopular views without rushing into ideology.
The products that really scale usually look simpler at first, but they fit how most people actually live.
The products that really scale usually look simpler at first, but they fit how most people actually live. That’s why local data and judgment always matter more than our personal preferences.
How AI is transforming Asia’s universities and the future of talent
“The new generation of graduates is entering the workforce with capabilities that didn’t exist five years ago. They can harness AI in analysis, communication, and decision-making, becoming productive much faster. What we look for today are people with strong business judgment and leadership, because in markets like Vietnam, where data can be limited, sound judgment […]
Before chasing investors, ask: “Is my product so good that customers want more of it?
Investors, especially in a fast growing/changing market like Vietnam, already carry enough risk: country risk, GP risk, illiquidity risk. They don’t want unnecessary operational risk on top.
Over the years, I’ve learned four things that changed the way I think about value creation.
The longer holding period and capital commitment create a simple, unavoidable reality: you own the result. You can’t hide behind deliverables, you live with the consequences of your decisions.But it took time to shift my mindset from providing answers to driving results.
Giovanni joins Alex Rawlings from the Private Equity Podcast to share insights from operating in Vietnam’s emerging private equity landscape.
In this episode, Giovanni Zangani joins Alex Rawlings to share insights from operating in Vietnam’s emerging private equity landscape. As Managing Partner at Maestro Equity Partners, Giovanni discusses the firm’s hands-on approach to investing in consumer and F&B businesses, the challenges of deal execution in emerging markets, and why local understanding is critical to success.
Vietnam’s food and beverage industry is entering a decisive consolidation phase.
Vietnam’s food and beverage industry is entering a decisive consolidation phase. In the first half of 2025, more than 50,000 F&B outlets closed nationwide, reflecting mounting pressure from rising rents, labour costs and input prices. Yet consumption remains resilient, and the market continues to reward operators with scale, systems and capital.