Nam’s journey in building Pollen Studios is marked by resilience and ambition. His family moved to the United States when he was just a baby, seeking to give their son the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Instilled with a strong drive, Nam began working at the age of fourteen, fully embracing the hustle culture that would shape his character.
In college, he balanced three jobs while pursuing his studies, all the while charting a path toward a career in investments and finance. After graduation, he moved to NYC, where he was introduced to the world of tech and venture capital. He started at Nomad, an Interplay Ventures company, and later joined Human Ventures as an early team member. There, he played a pivotal role in backing and launching over 10 tech and tech-enabled companies. Early in his career, Nam also had the opportunity to help scale a small team to a multi-million dollar operation with 150+ employees. These experiences provided him with the frameworks, expertise, and skills needed to thrive as a founder and business leader.
In 2019, Nam took a bold step by founding Pollinate Art, foregoing a steady salary to pursue his entrepreneurial vision. The journey was fraught with challenges, not least of which were the economic uncertainties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. However, these obstacles only strengthened his resilience and determination. Emerging from those trials, Nam began to think on a global scale. In 2022, he and his partners launched Pollen Studios, a software development agency and innovation studio. Today, the company boasts a team of over 50 professionals across two continents, collaborating with clients ranging from two-person startups to multinational enterprises.
After dedicating years to his career, Nam returned to Memphis to reconnect with his family and immerse himself in the city’s burgeoning tech scene. The Ford Urbanite Challenge presented a perfect opportunity to leverage his team’s expertise in addressing the restaurant industry’s staffing shortages through innovative mobility and micro-transit solutions.
For Nam and the Pollen Studios team, winning the competition signifies more than just validation of their proposed solution—it’s a testament to their perseverance, capabilities, and belief in Memphis’ potential. They are now laying the groundwork for a new chapter of Pollen Studios, committed to driving tech innovation and fostering growth in the city.