Savvycom CEO Van Dang: “A Technology Leader Should Speak Three Languages”

HANOI, October 2, 2026: Ms. Van Dang, Founder and CEO of Savvycom, shared her perspectives on “Female Leadership in Innovation and Strategic Technology Entrepreneurship” at the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Forum, held at the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Hanoi. 

Organized by the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre (AVSTC), the forum brought together researchers, policymakers and business leaders from both countries to discuss 5G and 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology. 

Customers buy outcomes, not technology

Drawing on her experience developing solutions for international enterprises, Ms. Van Dang highlighted two approaches to technology development. A technology-led approach begins with the question: “We have an AI model. Where can we apply it?” A business-led approach asks: “This process currently takes three days. Can we reduce it to three hours?” 

She emphasized that enterprise investment decisions are driven by the latter approach, which establishes a clear link between technology and measurable business outcomes. 

“Customers do not buy AI. They buy better outcomes.” 

Ms. Van Dang, Founder and CEO, Savvycom 

Three languages decide whether knowledge becomes value 

A central message of the session was that invention is the starting point. Innovation emerges when that invention delivers meaningful value to users. 

Ms. Van Dang explained that scientific and technical assessment provides an essential foundation, addressing feasibility, technical performance, novelty and reliability. Commercial evaluation extends this assessment to market demand, adoption, willingness to pay, scalability and the value a solution can deliver. 

Technology leaders must therefore speak three languages: technology, innovation and startup. Technology defines what can be built. Innovation identifies the value a solution creates. Startup addresses the conditions required for customers to trust, adopt and integrate that solution into their operations. 

By connecting these perspectives, leaders can evaluate technology in the context of business priorities and the needs of the people it serves. This integrated approach supports informed decisions and helps translate technical capabilities into practical business value. 

Competence creates opportunity, inner strength creates influence 

Addressing the session’s central theme of female leadership, Ms. Van Dang emphasized that women do not need to conform to a predefined leadership model. Listening, empathy, collaboration, resilience and the ability to build trust are valuable strengths for leading innovation and managing change. 

She also highlighted the importance of developing confidence, professional visibility, a clear voice, strong networks, commercial acumen and negotiation skills. These capabilities support career advancement and strengthen women’s influence in strategic decision-making. 

“Competence gets you into the room. Visibility, relationships and leadership help you influence what happens in the room.” 

Ms. Van Dang, Founder and CEO, Savvycom 

Leave with one experiment, not with “one day” 

Ms. Van Dang observed that promising ideas often fail to reach the market because their proponents wait for complete information, fully developed capabilities or certainty before taking action. 

She encouraged participants to begin with a focused initiative, test assumptions, measure results and refine their approach before scaling. This process enables researchers and entrepreneurs to build evidence, validate demand and make informed decisions. 

The session concluded with five practical questions for those seeking to translate research into commercial opportunities: 

• What significant problem am I addressing? 

• Who experiences this problem most acutely? 

• What differentiates my technology? 

• Who will pay for, adopt or champion the solution? 

• What can I test within the next 30 days? 

About Savvycom 

Established in 2009, Savvycom is an AI-driven technology company serving international markets. We provide AI and digital transformation solutions for enterprises in the banking and finance, healthcare, education, manufacturing and retail sectors. 

To learn more about Savvycom’s software development and digital transformation services, visit savvycomsoftware.com. For information on its AI solutions, visit savvycom.ai.