Since joining the company as one of its first commercial hires, Quyen has played a central role in scaling the startup’s global go-to-market efforts and expanding its presence across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Founded in 2019 by fellow SSE alum Patrik Liu Tran, Validio focuses on one of the biggest challenges in modern data use: ensuring data quality. The company’s AI-powered platform validates millions of data points in seconds, helping organizations avoid the costly consequences of unreliable data.
For Quyen, the role combines strategic thinking with direct customer interaction. Her responsibilities span everything from setting growth strategies and managing projects to analyzing performance and refining commercial processes. Yet it is the customer-facing aspect of the work that she finds most rewarding.
“What is most rewarding is the customer-facing component in the day-to-day execution: talking to customers and potential users, understanding their challenges, and delivering value to them,” Quyen says.
Working in a global company from Stockholm also means adapting to customers across multiple time zones. Some days involve late-night meetings with potential clients in the United States, while others begin early with conversations with data leaders in Singapore or New Zealand.
Before joining Validio, Quyen worked at a global venture capital firm covering the Nordic market. There, she observed how ambitious many Nordic startups were from the very beginning.
“Most of the companies being built here have global ambitions from day one, and many have achieved global success. It was fascinating to see then, and it is even more exciting now to be part of such a journey,” she says.
A strong believer in continuous improvement and experimentation, Quyen was drawn to a role that encourages deliberate learning and innovation. She describes the company culture as one where new ideas are constantly tested, mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, and mediocrity is never accepted as the standard.
“There is no boundary to testing new ideas and always room for mistakes, but there is also a common mindset of not accepting mediocrity — instead, refining performance and cultivating excellence,” she says.
Quyen is particularly motivated by the broader impact that AI and data technologies can have on society. From accelerating medical discoveries to reducing waste in construction, she sees enormous potential in AI-enabled innovation. However, she believes that none of it is possible without trustworthy data.
“I strongly believe that no good AI models or analytics can be built on bad data,” she explains. “Having validated data feeding into important applications is a fundamental step in gaining true value from AI.”
Her decision to pursue a Master’s degree at SSE was driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of technology-driven business creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Having already accumulated four years of experience in strategy consulting and commercial development, she wanted an environment that combined academic insight with a strong professional network.
“What I was looking for was a deeper understanding of technology-driven business formation, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” Quyen says. “Beyond the knowledge itself, I wanted to connect with like-minded people and become part of a well-connected business network. This was exactly what SSE offered.”
Her time at SSE became a turning point in shaping her professional direction. During her first semester, Quyen participated in a hackathon together with students from KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Their team won the competition and earned a trip to Silicon Valley, an experience that further strengthened her interest in innovation and entrepreneurship.
