Dr. Pinkey Patel is a clinical pharmacist and mom of two who has built her career at the intersection of healthcare innovation and maternal wellness. Myri Health (Techstars 2023) was born out of her lived experience of massive gaps in maternal care, which she encountered despite her extensive background in healthcare. Driven by this firsthand understanding, she launched Myri Health's D2C beta, which organically garnered 350,000 users across 44 countries, validating the global need for better maternal care.

Under her leadership, Myri Health has now scaled into a B2B platform, serving employers, municipalities, and health systems, and is expanding globally to transform maternal healthcare at scale. As a NASM-certified personal trainer and pre/postnatal corrective exercise specialist, Dr. Patel has worked directly with thousands of women during their pregnancies and maternal journeys, cultivating a deep understanding of their needs. She is passionate about bridging the gap in maternal resources, advancing health equity, and leveraging technology to transform maternal healthcare on a global scale. Her journey reflects resilience, vision, and a relentless commitment to empowering women during one of life’s most transformative stages.

What does your company do, and why is it important?

Myri Health’s technology is rooted in prevention, leveraging AI-powered personalization and predictive analytics to identify risks early and provide proactive, evidence-based solutions for maternal health. Our proprietary algorithms analyze a broad spectrum of data to tailor care plans that address potential health risks, ensuring mothers receive timely, targeted interventions.

From predicting complications like preterm labor to offering early mental health support, our platform is designed to guide mothers and healthcare providers through proactive steps to prevent issues before they arise. By addressing these risks early, we improve health outcomes, reduce costly interventions, and create a smoother, healthier journey for mothers and their families.

Millions of women experience fragmented care, lack access to resources, and face preventable complications. By bridging these gaps with innovative technology and a focus on equity, Myri Health ensures that every mother, regardless of geography or background, has access to the care and support she deserves. Our mission is to improve maternal outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and create a healthier future for mothers and their families.

How is what you are building disrupting your industry?

Myri Health is disrupting the maternal health industry by shifting the focus from reactive, fragmented care to proactive, preventative solutions powered by AI and data-driven personalization. Traditional maternal care often addresses complications after they arise, leaving millions of mothers underserved. Myri Health challenges this status quo by using predictive analytics to identify risks early and tailor interventions that improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance the overall experience for mothers.

Our platform integrates holistic maternal care — encompassing physical recovery, mental health support, and health education — into one accessible, culturally sensitive solution. This approach eliminates silos, connects providers with patients, and ensures that every mother receives the right care at the right time, no matter her location or circumstances.

In an industry that has long overlooked maternal health equity, Myri Health is driving meaningful change by addressing disparities, leveraging innovative technology, and prioritizing preventative care. By doing so, we’re not only improving individual maternal outcomes but also redefining how maternal health is delivered, funded, and valued across the healthcare ecosystem.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey?

“The velocity at which you pivot determines your success,” Dr. Pinkey Patel says that if something isn’t working, changing direction isn’t failure — it’s strategy. "There are no failures. Only lessons. Lessons are knowledge, and knowledge is power."

What has been your proudest moment or biggest triumph in your entrepreneurial journey?

My proudest triumph hasn’t been a single moment — it’s been the resilience, courage, and authenticity I’ve carried throughout my journey. Building Myri Health while pregnant with my second child was a test of grit, but it was launching the platform in its earliest iteration that took real bravery. Putting my “third baby” into the world — a direct-to-consumer beta — was an act of vulnerability, but it garnered paying users and, more importantly, fostered a foundational community rooted in authenticity and integrity. That community remains the DNA and pulse of Myri today because we cannot truly serve mothers without deeply listening to them and responding to their needs with empathy and innovation.

Four months later, the pandemic hit. I found myself working full-time as a clinical pharmacist during the day, building Myri at night, and navigating a household with two children who suddenly had no school to attend. But the stories from the mothers we served stayed with me, even in my sleep, reminding me of the profound need for this work. It’s what gave me the courage to leave my corporate career and go all-in on Myri. Through every sleepless night and every challenge, I’ve remained steadfast in my commitment to solving the massive gaps in maternal care with integrity, resilience, and a mother-first approach. The triumph isn’t just in surviving that journey — it’s in thriving because of it, creating a company that serves mothers with the same strength and care they deserve.

How do you celebrate your achievements and milestones within your business?

I’m notorious for not taking the time to celebrate achievements or milestones because I’m always eager to move on to the next challenge or dive back into the work. However, I’ve been getting better at recognizing the importance of pausing to acknowledge these moments. Gratitude has been a key part of this shift for me — expressing appreciation for my team, our partners, and most importantly, the testimonials from the mothers we serve. Hearing firsthand how our work has positively impacted their lives is the greatest celebration and reminder of why we do what we do. Reflecting on their stories and the tangible difference we’ve made grounds me in the progress we’ve achieved and inspires me to keep going.

Why did you want to do an accelerator, and why did you choose Techstars?

I wanted to join an accelerator because I knew that building something as ambitious as Myri Health required not just hard work and resilience, but also access to the right resources, networks, and guidance. And, entrepreneurship is lonely — no matter what anyone says! An accelerator provides the kind of concentrated, high-impact support that can help a company leap forward in ways that would take years to achieve alone. I was looking for a place that could amplify my vision, challenge me, and connect me with people who believed in the same mission of creating meaningful change.

I chose Techstars because of its incredible reputation for nurturing founders and creating a community that goes beyond just business — it’s about solving real problems and building something that matters. The network is unparalleled, and I knew I would be surrounded by mentors and peers who understood the stakes of building something transformative. Techstars doesn’t just provide resources; it creates an ecosystem where founders can thrive, share, and learn from one another. For me, Techstars represented not just an accelerator, but a launchpad to take Myri Health’s mission to the next level while being part of a community that genuinely cares about impact.

What was your biggest takeaway from your time spent in program with Techstars?

My biggest takeaway from my time with Techstars is that entrepreneurship is lonely, but community is everything. Being surrounded by founders who were “crazy” enough to build transformative solutions and face the same challenges made all the difference. It was a reminder that while the journey can feel isolating, it’s the people around you — mentors, peers, and initial believers — who keep you going.

The phrase "your network is your net worth" truly came to life during the program. The access to doors I couldn’t have opened on my own, the insights from mentors who pushed my thinking, and the support from other founders who understood the grind — all of it was invaluable. Being part of a group that shared the same passion for solving critical problems in their industries was inspiring, and it reinforced that we’re not just building companies, we’re creating necessary change. Techstars showed me that the strength of your community can propel you through even the most daunting moments of the entrepreneurial journey.

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