Now We Build

Ep 27 - Jing Ouyang on scaling Patchwork Health to save the NHS over £100m annually, and how medical students and practitioners can find their entrepreneurial spark.

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In this conversation, Jing Ouyang shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his first business, Podlearn, which aimed to democratize medical education. He discusses the challenges faced in transitioning to a social enterprise with Healthy Future and the lessons learned from both ventures. The discussion then shifts to the founding of Patchwork, inspired by the inefficiencies in healthcare staffing, and how personal experiences and insights led to the creation of a marketplace model for doctors. Jing emphasizes the importance of understanding pain points and validating ideas through real-world experiences.


Keywords


entrepreneurship, medical education, e-learning, social enterprise, healthcare innovation, Patchwork, locum shifts, startup journey, business challenges, medical technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, fundraising, NHS, startup mistakes, clinician experience, growth strategies, medical students, MVP, cost savings


Takeaways


  • Podlearn was a formative experience for Jing and Mohammed.
  • The idea for Podlearn emerged from a desire to democratize medical education.
  • Early entrepreneurial experiences laid the groundwork for future successes.
  • Healthy Future was a response to the lessons learned from Podlearn.
  • The transition from Podlearn to Healthy Future highlighted the importance of sustainable business models.
  • Patchwork was inspired by the inefficiencies in booking locum shifts.
  • The founding team of Patchwork recognized a national problem in healthcare staffing.
  • Anas's experience as a Darzi Fellow provided valuable insights for Patchwork.
  • Testing the Patchwork idea involved validating pain points with fellow doctors.
  • The journey of building Patchwork was marked by learning and adaptation. The initial product was buggy but proved the core mechanic.
  • Mistakes made in the early stages were valuable lessons.
  • Patience is crucial in the healthcare industry.
  • Fundraising is challenging, especially for first-time founders.
  • Building relationships with investors is key to success.
  • Cost savings for the NHS are a measure of success.
  • Clinician experience drives efficiency and outcomes.
  • Empathy for stakeholders is essential in healthcare sales.
  • Sales cycles in healthcare are long and require relationship building.
  • Starting early in entrepreneurship provides valuable experience.


Titles


  • From Medical Student to Entrepreneur: Jing Ouyang's Journey
  • Building Bridges in Medical Education: The Podlearn Story
  • Creating Impact: The Social Enterprise Approach
  • Innovating Healthcare Staffing: The Birth of Patchwork


Sound Bites


"This is not just something unique to us."

"We proved the core mechanic."

"We made so many mistakes."

"None of those mistakes were fatal."

"Fundraising is never easy."

"We could gain traction despite the odds."

"Clinician experience is at its core."

"Start early and launch things."


Chapters


00:00 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

07:17 Transitioning to Social Enterprise

13:27 The Birth of Patchwork

20:02 Testing the Waters: Building a Marketplace

21:58 Building the MVP and Initial Success

22:48 Lessons Learned from Early Mistakes

25:29 Navigating the Fundraising Journey

29:51 Measuring Success and Growth Opportunities

32:41 Driving Growth in the NHS

36:34 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurial Clinicians

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Now We BuildBy Sam Marchant