A Co-Founder often wears multiple hats, from handling operational responsibilities to engaging in strategic partnerships, thereby ensuring the firm remains agile and resilient in a competitive marketplace. Saxon Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of H2U, exemplifies the crucial impact a Co-Founder can have on a company's success. In 2010, amidst the turmoil faced by Foxconn Technology Group due to a series of tragic employee incidents, Chen joined the company and took on the significant responsibility of overseeing the health care of Foxconn’s global workforce. As the special assistant to Founder Terry Gou, Chen faced the challenge of managing diverse health needs across different time zones, regions, and cultures. He spearheaded the integration of smart technology and precision health to offer personalized health solutions to Foxconn employees.
Chen's dedication extended beyond Foxconn. He actively contributed to the Terry Gou family's Yonglin Healthcare Foundation, promoting charitable health projects and co-founding the H. Spectrum Biomedical Incubator & Accelerator, fostering new biomedical innovations. Over more than a decade, his commitment to the healthcare industry has been unwavering. Under Chen’s leadership, H2U initially focused on enhancing the well-being of Foxconn employees but has since expanded its reach to global clients such as Microsoft, Amazon, Gucci, and Chanel. By 2023, H2U evolved to promote public health through a comprehensive digital health ecosystem. Their services now encompass a broad range of health-related areas, including nutrition, apparel, sports, health checks, and recreation, aiming to integrate health solutions into everyday life seamlessly. H2U strives to break traditional boundaries and explore new business models, ultimately aiming to become the premier provider of holistic health services, enhancing public health and quality of life globally. Let’s hear more from him.
How do you ensure optimal health outcomes for your clients by leveraging data-driven insights and integrating digital health services?
Through strategic partnerships, we have developed an extensive ecosystem of health services, offering transparent personal health data and precise guidance across diverse settings. Access to transparent, complete, and continuous health data is crucial for accurately assessing one's health status. We prioritize patient consent for accessing personal health information. Upon authorization, we provide thorough analysis and tailored recommendations based on individual data. By seamlessly integrating data within our comprehensive health ecosystem, H2U delivers clear and thorough health insights, empowering individuals with a profound understanding of their health while identifying and mitigating hidden risks and blind spots. With transparent access to personal health data and a spectrum of health products, individuals can enhance their well-being and receive ongoing support throughout their lives. For corporate clients, we offer premier workplace consulting services and collaborate as partners in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
How can healthcare organizations and leaders ensure the utmost privacy and security while maintaining high standards of patient care?
Through the Everydayhealth and Sportsnote websites operated by H2U, H2U continuously receives data from tens of thousands of users every minute, encompassing physiological examination data, exercise metrics, browsing behaviors, purchasing patterns, and more. Leveraging H2U's marketing technology and artificial intelligence engine, we analyze, learn from, and optimize this data, which is legally authorized and protected as zero-party and first-party data. This enables us to collaborate with leading partners in healthcare and sports to deliver personalized health services and products to company employees and their families through subscription-based services.
"To fellow entrepreneurs, I encourage embracing adventure, maintaining positivity & nurturing unwavering passion"
The information aggregated on the H2U platform pertains exclusively to health examination data, health risk assessments, and related information submitted annually through our health examination platform. Users explicitly consent to H2U connecting and utilizing this health data and related assessments. Given that our clientele includes the world's top 100 companies, all data security measures adhere strictly to GDPR regulations. H2U's AI engine provides personalized health service recommendations solely with user consent to utilize their personal health information. Notably, H2U operates as a digital health platform rather than a medical institution, empowering individuals with AI-driven insights that break down data silos and generate continuous, actionable trends. This approach aids users in managing their health proactively and making informed decisions for their personal well-being.
Tell us about your leadership approach, and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team.
My leadership approach at H2U centers on our identity as a startup focused on advancing digital health. We began by identifying unmet needs in society and industry, aiming to enhance public health and well-being through innovative solutions. Drawing from my experience alongside Terry Gou at Foxconn Group, I've been deeply influenced by his strategic acumen and adherence to Warren Buffett's principles. Buffett's emphasis on kindness, honesty, intelligence, and competency resonates deeply with me, shaping my leadership ethos.
At H2U, transitioning from Foxconn has presented challenges, but these principles guide us through growth and operational complexities. Our journey involves managing vast datasets—such as personalized wearable measurements and millions of health records—each carrying significant cybersecurity risks. Transforming this data into actionable insights requires a meticulous approach akin to semiconductor chip analysis, leveraging AI for personalized health solutions, product recommendations, and health consultations.
I encourage a culture of innovation and teamwork rooted in Buffett’s philosophy, fostering a spirit of daring experimentation and a commitment to individual health, corporate responsibility, and shared values. By upholding these principles, we navigate challenges, drive innovation, and unite in advancing H2U's mission to revolutionize digital health solutions globally.
What would be a word of advice you would like to share with budding industry leaders?
For aspiring industry leaders, I offer this advice: Steve Jobs' quote, 'Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life,' deeply resonates with my personal motto, 'Live for yourself.' Embracing innovation, continual learning, and taking calculated risks have shaped my journey. I've pursued interdisciplinary knowledge and challenged myself beyond comfort zones, akin to my passion for mountain hiking.
Each ascent offers not just physical exertion but a dialogue with nature. Standing atop a summit, gazing at nature's grandeur, brings profound tranquility—a time for mental clarity, not escape. From this vantage point, business challenges often yield unexpected insights.
To fellow entrepreneurs, I encourage embracing adventure, maintaining positivity, and nurturing unwavering passion. Embrace the entrepreneurial journey; it promises diverse experiences and vistas. Best wishes on your path to leadership and entrepreneurship.
Saxon Chen, Co-Founder & CEO, H2U
Saxon Chen, Co-Founder of H2U, holds dual degrees in Economics and Biochemical Technology from National Taiwan University. With a background in international relations and a stint in Taiwanese legislative affairs, he joined Foxconn Group in 2012, later co-founding H2U in 2013. H2U pioneers digital health solutions, serving millions annually and recognized with innovation awards.