Chan’s interest in science and mathematics began in her childhood. She found joy in being a “creator”, often dismantling and fixing broken devices at home or changing dead light bulbs. This interest led her to study mechatronic engineering at the City University of Hong Kong, where she learned how to create various objects, such as plastics, metals and printed circuit boards. “I realised that creating a product is not a far-fetched goal,” she says.

After graduating, Chan worked as an industry consultant for the Hong Kong Productivity Council, where she would visit factories to assess their production processes and check their compliance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. “After working there for a few years, I felt I wasn’t improving. The world continued to innovate, while my work felt quite traditional,” she recalls.

Consulting with her mentors, she decided to pursue a PhD in biomedical engineering in 2015, believing the field offered a more forward-looking opportunity. Around that time, news of advancements in AI emerged; the US AI research organisation OpenAI was founded and Google’s DeepMind AlphaGo programme had defeated South Korean master Go player Lee Se-dol. Her professor believed this technology would be a game changer and encouraged her to incorporate it into her research project on automatic cell identification.

Although Chan’s application of AI in her PhD study was unrelated to the navigation tool she later developed, it opened the door for her to explore this field further.

Read more: Responsible AI pioneer Dr Rumman Chowdhury on what she wants everyone to know about AI

While developing the AI-powered belt, Chan and her team engaged with over 100 individuals with visual impairments. They conducted interviews to understand their unique experiences while travelling alone in urban environments and invited them to test the product prototypes.

Many of the stories shared by these potential users moved her deeply and fuelled her dedication to bringing this product to life. “I met a woman whom I wouldn’t have guessed was visually impaired just by her appearance and attire. She told me she could see during the day but struggled at night. But she chose not to use any guiding tools in the evening, worrying that such tools could make her an easy target for strangers with bad intentions,” Chan recounts.

The honest feedback on the prototypes has been instrumental in refining and tailoring the product. Initially, Chan envisioned mounting a camera on the user’s chest via a 3D-printed body harness. “Some people found our original design unattractive because it required wearing a large item on their chest. They preferred more subtle and stylish options because they care greatly about their outfit and how others perceive them. One respondent then suggested creating a guiding belt instead,” she says. 

The birth of this product would also not have been possible without the support of various component providers and manufacturers, such as Arrow Electronics and Surface Mount Technology Limited. These companies generously offered assistance in designing and producing some parts of the product at a low cost, even when order quantities fall below minimum requirements.

Read more: Meet Dr Mona Minkara, the blind scientist redefining accessible travel and adventure

Before developing the product at full speed, Chan’s biggest challenge in the first two years after co-founding the company in 2020 was shifting her mindset from being a solo contributor to learning how to run a business and manage a team. 

At that time, she was still completing her PhD studies, which she finished in 2022, while dedicating the rest of her time to starting the company. Her first step out of her comfort zone was seeking advice from fellow founders in the same industry. 

“Founding this business has been a valuable and rewarding learning experience. I have grown immensely because my perspective has broadened,” she says.

A pivotal experience that greatly enhanced her entrepreneurial skills was participating in the 2022 edition of She Loves Tech, one of the largest startup competitions for women and technology. Before securing second place in the pitch competition for the Hong Kong and Macau region, she was paired with mentor Jessica Liu, the co-founder of the fintech company Planto. Liu taught her how to present her business in an impactful manner. 

“I was influenced by my experience as a PhD student, so my deck was full of data and charts, but a pitch deck is supposed to be lean and straightforward,” Chan says. “Over a meeting, she told me how to correct my deck. I couldn’t sleep after. It wasn’t because I was disappointed in myself; I was excited that I finally understood how it works. I pulled an all-nighter to work on it.”

Steering this company has been a life-changing journey for the mother-of-two, but it has also cut into the time she can spend with her family. Growing up in a Chaozhouese household alongside her three siblings, she has always dreamed of having her own family. She makes an effort to carve out special moments with them, such as reading a bedtime story to her five-year-old daughter every night before she drifts off to sleep.

“The guilt of spending less time with them will linger for a lifetime,” she says. “But I believe it’s possible to juggle being a parent and an entrepreneur, even if challenging. After all, if life were too easy, we’d always find it boring, wouldn’t we?”

Currently at the pre-order stage, the startup plans to send the first batch of its products—300 sets of belts—to customers by March this year. They have also received enquiries from elderly homes to see if the belt could be adopted to minimise the risk of seniors getting lost. It’s a product they may explore developing.

“I truly value my chance to build a meaningful company while raising two wonderful kids. It’s incredibly precious to have the opportunity to experience both in my life,” she says.

Read more: She Loves Tech’s Rhea See on what the current investment landscape can learn from the way women build businesses

Here, we ask Chan some quick-fire questions to learn more about her take on AI.

What motivates you in your work?

Florence Chan (FC): We believe that leveraging AI technology for good is crucial for creating a better future for society.

What do you appreciate most about AI?

FC: Its intelligence. I used to spend an entire hour drafting an article, but now I can wrap it up in just 30 minutes. All I do is outline the key points I want to cover and ask it to refine my writing. It’s incredibly effective.

If you could change one thing about AI, what would it be?

FC: I would love for it to be more kid-friendly so that adults and children can use it. As a mother of two—one who’s five and another who’s one—I want my kids to take the lead in using technology rather than being led by it. This way, they can use technology to enhance their lives and contribute positively to the world. I hope they can become familiar with it from a young age.

Can you share an unexpected experience from your journey in starting this business?

FC: My daughter is always eager to visit Hong Kong Science Park [where my office is located]. I’m there practically every day of the week. She used to bring her bike and scooter, playing while I worked. We’ve since moved to a smaller office, so she can’t join me anymore, and she often tells me how much she misses the atmosphere of the office—even the smell of the place.

What guides you in life?

FC: My guide is a teacher in Daoism [a Chinese philosophy that emphasises on living in harmony with nature], who has taught me about karma, finding balance in life and the essence of Dao. Through his guidance, I’ve come to understand the importance of our ancestry and, most importantly, how to live with kindness and align with the Dao.

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This article is part of Founder Stories, a series dedicated to discovering the untold stories and challenges of today’s entrepreneurs on their climb to the top.

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