Tech entrepreneur, ONZM, refugee-turned-board-leader

Overview

Mitchell Pham ONZM is one of New Zealand's most respected technology entrepreneurs and a leading voice on digital strategy, Asia-Pacific business and refugee resettlement. The Vietnamese-Kiwi co-founder of Augen Software Group, he has built a tech business spanning New Zealand and Vietnam while shaping national digital policy and supporting hundreds of Kiwi businesses into Asia.

Who is Mitchell Pham? Mitchell arrived in New Zealand as a refugee at 14 after fleeing Vietnam at age 12 and spending two years in Indonesian camps. He co-founded Augen Software Group in 1993 with university friends and the business now operates across Auckland and Vietnam. He chaired NZTech, the Digital Council of Aotearoa and FinTechNZ, sits on the boards of Kea Global and the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and is New Zealand's representative on the Asia Society Global Council.

Career Highlights • ONZM for services to the technology sector and NZ-Asia relations, 2023 • Co-founder and Director of Augen Software Group / CodeHQ since 1993 • Former Chair of NZTech, FinTechNZ and the Digital Council of Aotearoa NZ • New Zealand's representative on the Asia Society Global Council • Founder of Kiwi Connection Tech Hub in Ho Chi Minh City • Entrepreneur-In-Residence, University of Auckland Business School

Key Speaking Themes • Digital strategy, AI and the future of work in Aotearoa • Doing business in Asia, especially Vietnam and ASEAN • Resilience and the refugee experience • Digital inclusion, ESG and sustainable tech • Governance, founders and the move into the boardroom

What Your Audience Will Gain Mitchell tells one of the most powerful stories in NZ business with humility and quiet conviction. Audiences leave with a clear-eyed view of Asia, digital transformation and what resilience really looks like.

Ideal For • Technology and AI conferences • Business and trade events focused on Asia • Diversity, inclusion and refugee resettlement events • Board and governance forums • Universities and youth leadership programmes

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Mitchell Pham speak about? Technology, digital strategy, AI, Asia-Pacific business, resilience and the refugee experience.

What is Augen Software Group? The technology business Mitchell co-founded in 1993, with offices in New Zealand and Vietnam. It also trades as CodeHQ.

What is Kiwi Connection Tech Hub? The Ho Chi Minh City tech hub Mitchell founded to help New Zealand tech firms accelerate their presence in Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region.

What honours has Mitchell Pham received? He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023 for services to the technology sector and NZ-Asia relations.

What governance roles does Mitchell Pham hold? He sits on the boards of Kea Global, NZTech, FinTechNZ, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, CodeHQ and Easy Crypto Global, among others.

Is Mitchell Pham available for keynotes and panels? Yes. Mitchell is regularly booked as a keynote, panellist and MC at tech, trade, diversity and leadership events.