Originally published September 29, 2022 , updated on January 17, 2023

“I’d like to prove that this part of the world [Southeast Asia] can produce something everyone can use.”

This is one of the ambitions of Aung Kyaw Moe, Thailand-based founder and CEO of payments platform provider 2C2P. He recently joined a Goodman Lantern fireside chat as a guest speaker. 

The fintech thought leader is passionate about the role his region has to play in the world economy – specifically the growth of the payment industry. He shares Goodman Lantern Founder and CEO Raj Goodman Anand’s mission to create more work opportunities for women.

During the conversation with the Goodman Lantern team in August 2022, Aung shared his fascinating story. From humble beginnings as the child of Burmese civil servants to completing both the Executive MBA programme at the Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University, the Advanced Management Program at MIT Sloan Executive Education, and OwnerPresident Management program at Harvard Business School. 

Master’s Degree Put on Hold

Unlike many other successful entrepreneurs, Aung’s journey didn’t begin with a dream to start his own business. Instead, a series of fortunate (and unfortunate) events pushed him in this direction.

“By design, I was supposed to become a government servant,” Aung recalls. “But when I was 13 years old, there was a shift in politics, and everything changed in Burma.” 

Aung’s plans to attend the University of Yangon, one of the leading higher education institutes in the region, were put on hold. The result of a military coup and the temporary closure of his university of choice. “I looked for education elsewhere and ended up studying as an external student at a British University and sat the exam at the British Embassy.” 

When the young Aung wanted to continue his education in the UK, he travelled to Thailand to get his student visa. Once again, however, his plans to study didn’t work out. At the time, because of the political instability, Burmese citizens were perceived as dangerous threats and immigration nightmare. So many couldn’t gain entry into the US, UK, or other countries. As a result, “I was stuck in Bangkok and didn’t get to continue my education.”

Although Aung was profoundly disappointed and ashamed to return home without the degree he sought, he made the best of the situation. He secured a job as a computer programmer in the Thai capital. 

“I thought, okay, I’ll be here. I’ll do my job for 2-3 years and then attempt to get my master’s degree again.” 

Becoming a Father a Driver for Success

But fate intervened yet again. Aung fell in love, fathered his first child, and put his plans to further his education on hold. Becoming a father gave him a new perspective on life and ultimately played a significant role in the entrepreneur’s journey to success. 

“I never wanted to become a businessman,” Aung notes. “People like me, who grew up in a socialist, government servant family community, considered businessmen evil. But everything changed the first time I saw my son’s face.” 

Becoming a businessman, Aung reckoned, would give him the means to send his children to good schools in Thailand. This goal continued to propel him forward, and somewhere along the way, he achieved the financial freedom to send his kids to the academic institutions of their choice.

Being a “Burmese underdog” in Thailand also motivated him to find other interesting opportunities as his career progressed. “I wanted to show that it’s possible for a person of my background [someone who is seen as inferior] to do good things if they try hard and achieve more and more over time.”

Western Tech, Make Room for Asian Products

Today, Aung is both the Founder and Group CEO of 2C2P. This full-suite payments platform helps businesses securely accept payments across online, mobile and offline channels. Previous roles included Founding Partner of digiAindra and co-founder of Paysbuy. 

Under his leadership, 2C2P grew into a global company with expertise in emerging markets. While the company’s headquarters are in Singapore, it operates in 10 markets in Asia and Europe. The company currently employs more than 500 employees.

Aung is currently working on proving that Asian technology can, in many ways, replace the Western technology commonly used in the region. 

“Yes, we have Asian brands like Sony, Toyota, and Huawei etc. But I’d like to prove that this part of the world (Southeast Asia) can also produce something of value to everyone. So my ambition has shifted from proving my capabilities to proving the region’s capabilities and showcasing Southeast Asia’s potential to the world.”

Other ambitions include studying to become a better creative writer, penning down his memoirs, and spending more time in the air. Yes, Aung isn’t only an incredibly successful businessman; he’s also a pilot who feels he’s finally ready to become the first Burmese pilot to complete a trip around the world in a DA42 aircraft. 

We’ll be watching closely!

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