The Interview: Unveiling Anthony Warren and BREATHESIMPLE
Discover Anthony Warren, head honcho at BreatheSimple, a digital platform offering personalized respiratory health analysis and instruction.
Let's dive into the interview:
Yoursite: Tell us about your background and your company, BREATHESIMPLE, in detail.
Anthony Warren: Born in the UK, I pursued a PhD in Physics and spent two years researching at the Universities of Illinois and Toronto. I then ventured into the corporate world, leading a global technology consulting firm with operations in Australia, Europe, and the US. After 17 years of consulting C-level execs in 22 countries, I transitioned to the venture capital sector as a founding partner in a 10-year early-stage fund, followed by stints as a venture partner with Adams Capital in Pittsburgh and a founding partner of a boutique investment bank. In academia, I grew the highly ranked entrepreneurship programs at PennState, and later, I held a Fulbright visiting professorship at the Business University in Vienna, Austria.
While at PennState, I started BREATHESIMPLE, a venture driven by a personal health event that highlighted the need for an affordable solution to diagnose and treat sleep apnea—a largely untapped $5bn market.
Yoursite: What are your aims with BREATHESIMPLE?
Anthony Warren: There are a few objectives. First, ensuring BREATHESIMPLE effectively addresses sleep disorders at an affordable price for everyone. Second, managing my time more effectively to spend with family and friends, and third, immersing myself in cultural and lifestyle activities in Vienna.
Yoursite: What do you consider BREATHESIMPLE's greatest strength right now?
Anthony Warren: We're primed to make a difference in countless lives facing real health dangers, thanks to converging science, technology, and market awareness. Moreover, our robust patent portfolio shields years of research investment.
Yoursite: How did you pave the way to BREATHESIMPLE?
Anthony Warren: Initially, we encountered roadblocks in realizing our vision due to unavailability of low-cost wearables and limited smartphone capabilities. This forced us to develop our own wearable at a hefty cost. It wasn't until several enabling technologies caught up with our ambitions that we shifted focus to software, AI, and user interface solutions to deliver our services affordably.
Yoursite: Why did you establish BREATHESIMPLE?
Anthony Warren: Personal health struggles inspired BREATHESIMPLE. I had a mini-stroke and realized it could be connected to sleep apnea, a condition my wife had observed for some time. Further exploration revealed research suggesting breathing exercises could alleviate apnea. Following successful implementation of these exercises, the idea to provide this solution to sleep issues worldwide at an affordable cost sparked BREATHESIMPLE.
Yoursite: What challenges have you encountered during your leadership journey, and how have you overcome them?
Anthony Warren: Like most start-ups, securing early funding was a challenge. Research grants and support from a vast network of executives and talented individuals helped bridge the gap. Industry partnerships bolstered our presence, but creating a compelling user interface required unexpected talent and time.
Yoursite: Sum up yourself in one word.
Anthony Warren: Tenacious.
Yoursite: What excites you about BREATHESIMPLE's vision?
Anthony Warren: The adventure of pioneering the next generation of sleep problem therapies, rooted in exciting research on brain neuroplasticity.
Yoursite: How does BREATHESIMPLE differ from competitors, and how do you plan to partner with other companies?
Anthony Warren: We're focusing on partnerships with existing firms to expand our market presence. Our unique approach, anchored in strong intellectual property, sets us apart and insulates us from potential intellectual theft. Over the years, I've won several major patent infringement cases.
Yoursite: Describe your most memorable incident in your leadership journey.
Anthony Warren: The day we discovered that the next generation iPhone would have capabilities sufficient to replace our own wearable was pivotal. We were on the brink of closing the company due to lack of funds for manufacturing. Since then, we've kept moving forward.
Yoursite: How do you envision BREATHESIMPLE evolving in the next two years, and how will you create that change?
Anthony Warren: Within two years, we plan to complete several corporate partnerships, develop the next product, and sell the company to one of our partners. My knack for forging and managing relationships will drive the company's evolution.
Yoursite: What benefits do clients derive from BREATHESIMPLE in this competitive market?
Anthony Warren: Our service targets the 80% of undiagnosed sleep apnea patients, offering them a simple, at-home screening method to confirm the need for medical intervention. By identifying and addressing these issues early, we help reduce the risk of severe events.
Yoursite: Is there anything else you wish to communicate to our viewers?
Anthony Warren: As an entrepreneur, resilience and persistence are essential for success. Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, but it's crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and cherish relationships outside the company. Life has far more to offer than just a company!
Connect with Anthony Warren on LinkedIn.
- Anthony Warren's venture, BREATHESIMPLE, is rooted in the science of sleep disorders, aiming to provide affordable solutions for everyone.
- The technology sector, combined with advances in science and growing market awareness, presents a significant opportunity for BREATHESIMPLE to impact numerous lives.
- Lifestyle choices have been an integral part of Anthony Warren's journey, complementing his professional commitments, as he spent time in Vienna for cultural and personal activities.
- Mental health is closely tied to personal health experiences for Anthony Warren, as both he and his wife struggled with sleep apnea, inspiring the inception of BREATHESIMPLE to offer affordable solutions for this undiagnosed condition.
