From Nokia to Belgo: How Victor Pirmez Is Scaling Belgian Craft Beer in Vietnam

Описание: What makes someone leave a safe global career at Nokia to bet on Belgian craft beer in Vietnam?

In this episode of Seven Figure Founders, Linh sits down with Victor Pirmez, Business Development Director and investor at Belgo Belgian Craft Beer, to unpack his incredible journey: from a childhood across Africa and Asia, to 5G and corporate life in Korea, to building Belgo’s expansion and franchise strategy across Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

You’ll hear how Victor:

Grew up moving from Congo, Angola, Thailand, Belgium, Singapore, Australia, Korea to Vietnam – and how that built his adaptability and appetite for risk.

Walked away from a comfortable Nokia role to start an investment fund (with no money!), then ended up joining Belgo as a partner and BD lead.

Breaks down the real challenges of raising money vs. finding great deals – and why he says: “Don’t ask for money. If you ask for money, you get advice. If you ask for advice, you get money.”

Helps Belgo expand with franchising and distribution, from new pubs in Vietnam to building a cold-chain supply line into Thailand.

Chooses the right franchise partners (and says no to the wrong ones – like pink chairs and sushi in a Belgian beer pub).

Navigates working with investors, building trust, and using them for far more than capital.

Balances entrepreneurship with family life in Ho Chi Minh City, raising two kids born in Vietnam and thinking about legacy, kindness and community.

If you’re a founder or aspiring investor in APAC, this is a masterclass in courage, creativity, and cross‑cultural business building.

About Victor Pirmez
Born in Belgium and raised across Congo, Angola, Thailand, Belgium and Singapore, Victor Pirmez has built a career at the intersection of global business and local culture. After a corporate chapter in 5G and industry solutions with Nokia in Korea and APAC, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City, launched an investment fund, and ultimately joined Belgo Belgian Craft Beer as an investor and Business Development Director. Today, he leads Belgo’s expansion across Vietnam and Southeast Asia through franchising and distribution, while raising his young family in Vietnam and staying obsessed with one idea: using business to build bridges between cultures.

Connect with Victor
Website: https://www.belgo.com.vn/belgohomepage
LinkedIn:   / victor-pirmez-1a1207ab  
Email: [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Trailer
01:12 Welcome to the show & intro to Victor
01:27 Global childhood: Congo, Angola, Thailand, Singapore & Belgium
05:51 First impressions of Vietnam & launching a fund with no money
06:18 Meeting Belgo’s founder & first investment conversations
08:51 From Nokia to Belgo: becoming an investor then joining full-time
13:58 Risk-taking, big moves & having a supportive partner
15:53 “Don’t ask for money, ask for advice” – Victor’s fundraising rule
21:22 Life in Vietnam: family, quality of life & kids born in Saigon
27:20 Victor’s role today: franchising Belgo & building cold-chain logistics
29:26 Choosing the right franchise partners (and saying no when it’s not a fit)
33:21 Entrepreneurship as personal growth & Belgo’s resilience through Covid
34:31 Leading multicultural teams & the importance of communication
35:42 Working with Vietnamese teams & digging deeper than “everything’s OK”
40:54 Legacy, kindness & what Victor wants his kids to remember

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ABOUT EO ​
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ABOUT THE HOST​
Linh Podetti is the CEO and Founder of Outsourcing Angel, a Sydney-based company that helps to create jobs for people in the Philippines while creating freedom for business owners around the world. Linh has been an active member of EO Sydney since June 2022, and she actively seeks out opportunities to promote and uplift fellow entrepreneurs.​
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