Why HanaGold Is Winning After Shark Tank and What It Means for the Future of Gold Investment

When HanaGold appeared on Shark Tank Vietnam in 2022, many viewers expected the brand to secure a deal. The founder, Hana Ngô, pitched a vision of making gold investment accessible to ordinary people, not just the wealthy. While her idea was bold, the Sharks turned her down. For many businesses, this would have marked the end of their story. But for HanaGold, it was just the beginning. Today, the company is thriving, attracting investors, and reshaping how people think about gold.

Turning Rejection into Opportunity

On the show, Hana Ngô asked for $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity. Her concept was simple but revolutionary: turn gold into a digital product that anyone could buy, even in small amounts. The Sharks raised concerns about risks tied to fluctuating gold prices and questioned whether the business could scale in a highly competitive market. These doubts were enough for them to pass on the deal.

Yet the rejection had the opposite effect of what many might expect. The exposure HanaGold received during the pitch brought the company into the public eye. Shortly after the show, FundGo, an existing investor, increased its seed investment from $250,000 to $500,000. What looked like failure in the short term became proof of resilience.

How HanaGold Grew Fast

The growth after Shark Tank was not accidental. HanaGold used the attention to position itself as a trustworthy brand in the eyes of larger investors. One of the most important backers was HVA Investment, a company linked with FundGo. They put in 40 billion VND , giving HanaGold the capital it needed to scale.

The results are already visible. As of July 2025, HVA reported that its net asset value from the HanaGold investment rose by 66.8%, and profits received had surpassed 2 billion VND. That is not just a sign of survival but a mark of profitability. For a company once dismissed by the Sharks, this kind of financial stability shows remarkable execution.

How HanaGold Works: The Business Model

HanaGold’s model combines financial technology with a very traditional form of wealth. Instead of requiring customers to spend large sums, the company allows people to begin investing with as little as 100,000 VND, which is roughly four US dollars. This breaks down the barrier that made gold ownership seem out of reach for average households.

Once invested, users see their digital balance grow. They can continue to add small amounts, building up their savings over time. At any point, those holdings can be redeemed as physical gold or jewelry, bridging the digital and tangible worlds. This hybrid system appeals to both older customers who trust physical gold and younger generations who are comfortable with mobile apps.

Why HanaGold Fits Vietnam’s Culture

Gold is more than an investment in Vietnam. It is part of cultural traditions, wedding gifts, and family savings passed down through generations. Many Vietnamese people keep gold at home, treating it as a safe store of value. HanaGold understands this and connects with cultural habits while making the process modern.

The brand does not just sell gold—it sells designs that appeal to younger buyers. Jewelry collections with contemporary aesthetics help it reach customers who might not have thought about gold as an everyday purchase. At the same time, the app format aligns with Vietnam’s rapid smartphone adoption. With nearly 75% of adults using smartphones, fintech platforms are becoming a natural part of daily life. HanaGold sits at the intersection of cultural trust and digital convenience.

Real Data That Proves Its Success

Numbers speak louder than promises. According to HVA Investment, between April 2024 and July 2025, HanaGold delivered around 2.03 billion VND in profit, with projections of more by the end of 2025. These figures show real traction. Unlike many startups that burn through investment funds with little to show, HanaGold is already giving back to its investors.

Expert View

Eric Vuong, CEO of FundGo and chairman of HVA, has praised HanaGold’s approach. He describes the company as helping guide the jewelry industry toward higher standards through its use of technology. By embedding tools like NFTs and NFC into its products, HanaGold is not just selling gold—it is creating a secure and verifiable ecosystem. His perspective gives weight to HanaGold’s vision, showing it is more than hype.

Future of Gold Investment

What makes HanaGold especially exciting is how it hints at the future of gold. The company uses blockchain to issue token certificates, making every piece of gold traceable. Customers can also verify products with NFC tags using their smartphones, protecting them from counterfeit risks.

HanaGold’s launch of the 24K Golden Peacock coins with NFC chips is a striking example. Buyers can scan the coin to see proof of authenticity, something that was almost impossible in the past. This model could become the standard for gold transactions in the future, combining ancient trust in gold with modern transparency.

Lessons from HanaGold’s Story

The first clear lesson is that rejection can create credibility. The Sharks said no, but that spotlight made other investors notice the opportunity. The second is that blending tradition with innovation works. By combining Vietnam’s cultural trust in gold with a user-friendly app, HanaGold captured both old and new markets. The third is that lowering barriers to entry attracts first-time investors. Allowing people to invest with only a few dollars has opened the door for a whole new demographic.

Conclusion

HanaGold proves that rejection can be a foundation for success. From being turned away on Shark Tank Vietnam to securing million-dollar investments, the company has shown determination and vision. It empowers ordinary people to invest in gold while bringing fresh technology to an age-old asset.

This is more than just a story about one business. It is about how resilience, innovation, and cultural understanding can transform entire industries. HanaGold’s journey may well mark the beginning of a new era in gold investment, not only in Vietnam but also for the global market.