Nguyễn Hải Ninh

Serial entrepreneur — from Urban Station to The Coffee House, M Village, and Every Half

Notable Quotes

“I rose from the mud, studied the wrong major, and knew nothing about coffee.”
Source: CafeBiz

“We don't franchise because we're afraid of handing our "child" to someone else.”
Source: CafeBiz

“Before money reaches your pocket, the invoices will arrive first.”
Source: YBOX

“Fundraising is a consequence, not a goal.”
Source: CafeF

Advice

3 pillars: Passion, Strength, Market need

You need at least 3 factors: passion, playing to your strengths, and those strengths must solve a real need.

Invoices arrive before revenue

Prepare mentally and financially — don't be blinded by others' glamour.

Fundraising is a consequence

Solve real problems for the right people, build systems, learn fast — investors will come to you.

Key Highlights

✓4 ventures in 14 years: Urban Station, The Coffee House, M Village, Every Half
✓The Coffee House: 175 stores, ~800B VND revenue, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2019)
✓Every Half: $3M Pre-Series A (2025), exporting specialty Robusta to North America
✓M Village: $10M from Trip.com, historic 100B VND unsecured bank loan from OCB

Biography

Nguyễn Hải Ninh (b. 1987) graduated in Chemistry from HCMC University of Technology. After PepsiCo's Management Trainee program, he began his entrepreneurial journey. In 2011, co-founded Urban Station (60+ stores). In 2014, founded The Coffee House — "community coffee" philosophy, 175 stores, ~800B VND revenue (2019), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. Left in 2021. Now running M Village (co-living, $10M from Trip.com) and Every Half Coffee Roasters ($3M Pre-Series A, 14+ stores).