Founded in 2017 by Christian Nguyễn, an experienced French-Vietnamese tech entrepreneur, WeeDigital did not follow the conventional path of a pure fintech startup. Instead, it chose a more challenging route: developing digital identity solutions based on biometric technology. From the very beginning, the founding team posed a critical question: How can banks and financial institutions in Vietnam optimize user experience while ensuring absolute security? The answer lay in applying artificial intelligence and facial recognition—an approach that was still uncommon at the time, especially in an emerging market like Vietnam.
WeeDigital’s R&D journey started with the development of a simple MVP: authenticating users through facial recognition during transactions. However, moving from a prototype to a commercial product was a long process—one that involved optimizing processing speed (under one second), ensuring accurate recognition in complex lighting conditions, and, most importantly, complying with the stringent security requirements of the financial sector. Their tech stack combined deep learning AI modules, real-time image processing, and tight integration with banking infrastructure—demanding not only technical capabilities but also patience in knocking on the doors of each potential partner.
The true value of WeeDigital does not lie solely in creating an advanced tech product, but in how it addresses a real-world bottleneck: digital customer identification (eKYC)—a vital component in the banking sector’s digital transformation. Prior to WeeDigital, eKYC solutions in Vietnam mostly relied on document uploads and manual selfie comparison, which were inconvenient and error-prone. WeeDigital’s live facial recognition technology allows verification within seconds, eliminating manual steps, minimizing the risk of fraud, and significantly enhancing the customer experience.
Beyond the financial sector, WeeDigital has expanded its influence into the entertainment and services industries, where seamless and smooth user experiences are essential. A notable example is its partnership with Citigym to implement a FaceID-based Check-In and Smart Locker system, allowing users to unlock lockers and access VIP zones using only facial recognition. At Vinpearl, their technology enables guests to enter entertainment areas without the need for tickets or cards—something once reserved for smart cities.
In addition to its technological edge, WeeDigital’s growth has been accelerated by its deep involvement in the innovation ecosystem. In 2018, the startup was named among the top 10 at TECHFEST Vietnam’s National Technopreneur Contest and won first prize at the Fintech Challenge Vietnam, an initiative endorsed by the State Bank of Vietnam. These were not only professional recognitions but also important levers to attract investors. In 2020, WeeDigital successfully raised funding from InterVest (Korea) and VinaCapital Ventures—a key financial milestone that enabled product expansion and team growth. The company has also participated in various technical support programs and networking initiatives with major banks through intermediary organizations.
From an ecosystem perspective, the story of WeeDigital offers an important lesson: building a good tech product is not enough—it must solve a real problem aligned with the industry’s digital transformation needs. While many fintech startups chase trends like e-wallets, lending, or blockchain without strong domain-specific capabilities, WeeDigital chose a difficult but clearly differentiated niche. The founding team understands that reaching enterprise clients—especially banks—requires patience, regulatory compliance, and the ability to clearly articulate technical solutions. This is only possible with a solid in-house technology foundation.
For other founders in the deeptech space, WeeDigital’s journey highlights three key factors: identifying a large, systemic problem; making long-term investments in R&D instead of early growth expenditures; and leveraging support platforms to expand connections within the ecosystem. Technology alone cannot create a market, but if applied in the right direction and proven to deliver superior value, it can reshape the entire user experience—just as WeeDigital is steadily doing with biometrics in Vietnam.
