Susan Kelly #FollowRespiratoryAnalytics
Co-Founder and CEO Dr Susan Kelly is the driving force behind aflo™ - aflo™ uses AI, sensors and hyper-personalised data to control life-threatening symptoms for people with asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. The goal of aflo™ is to improve the management of respiratory conditions for patients and clinicians, saving lives, reducing costs and improving outcomes, you can read more here. We spoke to Susan ahead of our New York trip to find out more about her founder journey.
To get us started - how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Learning new stuff every day.
Describe your business and what prompted you to start it?
Working in health - and through my partner and children's asthma - I saw the frightening impact of uncontrolled asthma and COPD symptoms and wanted to help solve that problem. aflo™ uses AI, sensors and hyper-personalised data to automate inhaler technique, helping to control life-threatening symptoms for people with respiratory conditions, saving lives, reducing costs and improving outcomes.
Tell us a little bit more about you?
I was raised in a big, busy Irish family and now have one of my own. I've been an academic, a researcher, worked in global corporates and really enjoyed problem solving, big challenges, work variety and learning new stuff. I was always thinking about ideas for businesses but felt too busy getting on with work and family life to take that first step. I live near the Atlantic and so I'm never too far away from a chance to clear my head in a beautiful place. I love early mornings, the sun, socialising with friends, new places and being around my big, noisy family.
Fill us in on your female founder journey.
We started our business just before the pandemic and seeing the impact of Covid19 strengthened our resolve to bring our remote support solution to patients as fast as possible. Since then we've dealt with global supply chain issues requiring product redesign, a locked down patient usability study and resource challenges and managed to overcome these problems with more than a little help from all sorts of friends. The biggest learn? People will always help, you're really not alone, don't be afraid to ask. And pay it forward. That's being a good founder.
How has being part of the AwakenHub community helped your business?
Being part of such a great network of strong, focused women has provided me with role models, mentors and new friends. It's connected me with women who have shared their start up experience and helped me win awards. The AwakenHub team has helped refine my pitch deck and given me opportunities to speak at high calibre events such as the LFDT in Cork last September and at the Ulster Bank angel investment session in November, rasing my profile as a medtech founder.
As a founder - what are your non-negotiables?
My key founder non-negotiable is to always ensure your values are aligned with cofounders, investors, advisors, partners and suppliers. Startup world brings challenges every day and you need everyone heading in the same direction so that you can get through the difficult times - and there will be loads!
What are your top three tips for other women founders?
Build hard things over easy things. Get outside every day. Make time for friends/ family/ fun.
What are you hoping to get out of your New York experience?
Network connections and learning more about the US medtech OTC environment.
Where do you see yourself in 12 months and 5 years time?
In 12 months we'll have our asthma product in our first market and be well on our way with COPD. In 5 years we'll have a global community of users who will spread our tech for good message across multiple inhaled medication channels, going beyond respiratory conditions.
To finish up with what are six words to live by?
Just keep going. (Only three!)
#FollowRespiratoryAnalytics
