Healthtech founder inspires audience to believe, act and persist
Newcastle healthtech founder shares her inspiring story of taking Holland Healthcare global at I2N's Startup Stories
Jennifer Holland, a former accountant turned medtech founder, knew very little when it came to growing a venture. But in 2010, after a local GP visit in Newcastle with her first child, she realised a doctor holding a pen light and wooden tongue depressor with a moving young child was not going to work. Searching everywhere Jennifer sought no solution, and so one month later she created the Throat Scope, kick-starting her journey into the world of business.
At I2N's Startup Stories hybrid virtual and in-person webinar on Wednesday 5 May, Jennifer shared her story of founding Holland Healthcare, which create inspired diagnostic solutions to enhance and transform medical devices into digital AI tools.
Jennifer has gone on to build a strong team that is scaling the company across the US, Japan and Europe. They have attracted global recognition, hold numerous patents and have distributed over two million products across eight countries via 30 medical distribution partners.
Catch up on Startup Stories with Jennifer Holland
Top takeaways
- Ideas can come from anyone at any time. What you need to succeed is the ability to believe, act and persist.
- When asked how she filled the gaps of her own knowledge, Jennifer highlights the importance of assembling a skilled and knowledgeable advisory team to guide your hires and development. Venture Mentor Service (VMS) is a free and confidential mentoring service for founders in the University of Newcastle community.
- In business it's important not to take things personally. There will be set backs for a range of different reasons but being persistent and even asking why in the face of no can help you move forward.
- Jennifer recalls a situation where she'd secured a deal with CBS to stock fifty thousand Throat Scope units, but found only weeks before that the entire shipment was faulty and that the deal had to be cut. She explains that transparency and honesty are important for when things go wrong, and persistence will get you through to the next opportunity.
- During her product development, Jennifer would test her devices with doctors, dentists and speech pathologists to get valuable feedback and identify her first target market. I2N Validator teaches founders powerful methods for including customer feedback into their business models.
The University of Newcastle's I2N works with individuals and organisations from across the Hunter region and beyond to turn ideas and challenges into opportunity. As a leading driver of economic and business growth, the I2N cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset that is behind many of the region's most innovative businesses and leaders.
Keep up to date with future I2N events, programs and opportunities by subscribing to I2N's monthly newsletter or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/i2n
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