In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare technology, few startups have captured the imagination and promise of Hona. With a mission to empower speech pathologists through innovative AI solutions, Hona stands at the forefront of a transformative wave in healthcare.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Adam Steinle, CEO of Hona, to delve into the inspiration, challenges, and achievements that have shaped their journey.
The Trio Behind Hona
For Adam Steinle, the entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family. “My parents met by building a software company together. I quite literally wouldn’t be here without tech entrepreneurship and it’s always something I aspired to do myself.” he shared. This early exposure to the power of technology and entrepreneurship set the stage for Adam’s own career, which has seen him move from biomedical engineering to roles at Goldman Sachs and Facebook before founding Hona.
As for Danielle Yoesep, Hona’s COO, she found her entrepreneurial path through a passion for building. She fell into entrepreneurship in her last venture within research and wanted to get back to the building. In her last role, she realized that she’s super energized by the early stages of company building.
Shuying Zhang, the CTO, brought a unique blend of technical expertise and a desire to make a real-world impact. As a former big tech SWE and biomedical engineer, she wanted to find a way to apply her skills to improve healthcare. Further, entrepreneurship allowed her to work in a faster-paced environment with more ownership.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to success is rarely smooth, and Hona has faced its share of challenges. One of the most significant hurdles was pivoting from their original AI-automated patient intake product. “Despite initial success, we realized it wasn’t effectively addressing provider burnout. We improved one workflow aspect but added complexity with another portal to manage,” Adam explains.
The team made the tough decision to end existing customer relationships and explore more fundamental problems. After a month of interviews and brainstorming, they identified a significant issue in speech pathology that resonated with them. This led to a full pivot into developing vertical software for speech pathologists, aiming to support every aspect of their work. This experience underscored the importance of user feedback and adaptability in product development.
Proud Achievements
One of Adam’s proudest achievements is the ability to consistently surround himself with inspiring and talented individuals. “I’ve consistently invested in my network – from my Facebook RPM program to B-School to YC – and this has paid great dividends. I’ve been able to use this network for resources, advice, and sourcing great teammates.”
As a team, Hona takes pride in the difficult decision to leave comfortable jobs to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. Their dedication to improving the lives of speech pathologists and their patients is a testament to their commitment and vision.
A Vision for the Future
Hona’s mission is clear: to empower speech pathologists to operate independently without the burden of administrative overhead. “We aim to create a dynamic marketplace that efficiently connects speech pathologists with various opportunities, including cash-based services, school contracts, and insurance-covered treatments,” Adam explains.
Their vision extends to developing a platform where speech pathologists can easily build their own client base and manage their practice with minimal administrative work. This approach will allow therapists to focus on providing care while maintaining control over their income and work-life balance. By streamlining the connection between patients and therapists, Hona aims to reduce waitlists and ensure that more people can receive the care they need in a timely manner.
Empowering the Asian Community
While Hona’s primary goal is to support speech pathologists and improve access to speech therapy for all, they recognize the potential benefits for the Asian community. Their initiatives provide flexible work opportunities for Asian speech pathologists and increase access to culturally competent care for Asian patients. By reducing language and cultural barriers to accessing speech therapy, Hona is making it easier to match patients with therapists who understand their specific needs.
Connect with Hona
Instagram: @hona_care
Linkedin: Hona
Facebook: Hona Care
For more information about Hona and its innovative solutions, visit honacare.com.
