How does a Singaporean ajumma (as she calls herself) end up co-founding a tech startup with a Russian tech entrepreneur? It’s a story that blends resilience, pragmatism and a passion for solving real-world problems.
Whei Chern Ho is the co-founder of MIEA Health, a startup in Singapore offering AI chatbot software as a service for clinics. But her entrepreneurial journey didn’t start with a business plan or even the intention to launch a startup. Instead, it was born from her years of experience in corporate healthcare communications and her desire to address a long-standing problem in patient care: effective communication.
Marrying Young and Starting A Family First
Whei Chern never planned to be an entrepreneur. She started her professional life in healthcare communications after returning from the US (where her husband was studying for his extended degree) and became deeply involved in front-facing customer services.
Coming from a family steeped in healthcare—her father was an occupational therapist, her mother and sister nurses, and her husband a doctor—she always had a front-row seat to the challenges of healthcare systems.
One glaring issue stood out: nurses and clinic staff often struggled to manage patient follow-ups. These tasks, though essential, took time away from their primary responsibilities and most times, weren’t completed with as much thought.
She mulled about this gap in communications. While clinical care was critical, her work brought her to a valuable realization – patient communication and engagement were just as crucial, if not more so!
Whei Chern identified an opportunity to use AI to solve this problem. But her journey wasn’t straightforward. Initially, her startup focused on patient monitoring. However, data contamination issues—caused by patients in Singapore sharing monitoring devices with family members—led her to pivot toward custom-trained AI for customer servicing.
The Russian Connection
The pivot wasn’t just about a change in strategy; it was also about a meeting of minds. Whei Chern’s co-founder, Dmitri Chekin, brought his expertise in OCR (optical character recognition) technology, enabling the startup to streamline how clinics manage and utilize their data.
Dmitri was the one who reached out to me to suggest that Whei Chern’s story was worth featuring on the Womenpreneur Asia podcast. After a single call with her, I was charmed. Her openness, passion and grounded approach to entrepreneurship were refreshing and inspiring. It helped that we shared similar values and we’re both communicators.
Empowering Small Clinics Across Southeast Asia
Whei Chern’s startup, MIEA Health, is on a mission: “I want small clinics to thrive in today’s digital world.” Her goal is to help small and medium-sized clinics in Southeast Asia benefit from digitization while preserving their personal touch.
For clinics, the AI chatbot solution takes on tasks no one enjoys, like following up with patients and answering routine questions. This not only improves efficiency but also allows healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most—patient care.
Lessons from a Gen X Founder
Whei Chern’s story is filled with valuable insights for anyone considering a leap into entrepreneurship:
- Protect Your Emotional Core: Building a business is challenging, but staying grounded in your emotional well-being and having family support makes the journey manageable.
- The Power of Networks: Relationships and community are crucial. Going the extra mile often opens doors you never expected.
- Embrace Life’s Multi-Faceted Nature: As a wife, mother and entrepreneur, Whei Chern has shown that you don’t have to choose one role over the other. Balance is possible, and every experience contributes to your growth. It’s both heart and head!
Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Never Be Afraid to Fail: Whei Chern started her entrepreneurial journey later in life, proving that age is no barrier to pursuing your passion. It’s probably better to be an older entrepreneur because she is not afraid to fail and even if she fails, she is still learning.
- Be Ready to Pivot: Challenges often lead to new opportunities. Her business began as a healthcare monitoring software but she pivoted when she saw an opportunity in teaming up with Dmitri and harnessing their expertise to build custom AI bots for clinics. In a word, be ready to embrace change and adapt.
- Find Your Why: Her transition into entrepreneurship was driven by a clear and compelling problem she wanted to solve. She didn’t start out wanting to be a tech co-founder; she’s interested to solve a long-standing problem.
Life Isn’t A Single Track
Whei Chern’s journey is a powerful reminder that life isn’t a single track. Her pragmatic optimism and mission-driven approach are inspiring examples for entrepreneurs everywhere.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: healthcare isn’t just about treating the sick; it’s about keeping people healthy. Her conversational AI tool is more than a product—it’s a step toward transforming how clinics serve their communities.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner, Whei Chern’s story is proof that resilience, creativity, and purpose can drive extraordinary success.
Are you inspired by Whei Chern’s journey?
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Let’s continue to celebrate and learn from the amazing women entrepreneurs in Asia!