My name is Simon Linwood, and I come from a background in healthcare and digital health innovation. Previously, I served as the Chief Medical Information Officer at the University of California, where I oversaw the integration of health technologies to improve patient care and outcomes. I also led the digital health incubator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, spearheading various AI-focused initiatives. Driven by a desire to tackle pediatric oral health challenges, I left the University of California to dedicate myself full-time to 123Brush, an AI-driven toothbrush startup that aims to make brushing fun and educational for children.
The Institute’s mission to leverage AI for addressing critical societal challenges resonated deeply with my own goals and values. Creating a startup is complicated, and I joined the AI for Good Institute seeking motivation, inspiration, and the knowledge needed to navigate this challenging path.
The Institute provided the tools, knowledge, and network necessary to pursue my dreams, which ultimately led to the creation of 123Brush. A highlight was engaging with a diverse group of peers and mentors. The collaborative environment fostered creativity and innovation, and the support from experts—like top professors from Stanford, thought leaders from Microsoft and LinkedIn, and influential investors—refined my professional journey and strengthened my commitment to making a lasting impact on children’s health.
I was involved in a sustainability project at the Institute. I’m proud that the founder of this project made significant progress and showcased the company on the NASDAQ bulletin board in Times Square—an inspiring moment that underscored the power of social entrepreneurship.
After graduating, I launched 123Brush, focusing on AI-powered brushing solutions for kids. We quickly gained traction: I spoke at conferences like the AI Pitch Summit, where 123Brush was selected as one of the Top 30 startups. We confirmed a strong market need, with 60% of parents expressing interest in our product. We also won first place in the “AI Now and Future” pitch competition, developed a working prototype, and gained mentorship from the former CMO of Colgate and the past president of the American Pediatric Dental Association. We are currently seeking $1M in seed funding to scale globally.
I’m fully dedicated to growing 123Brush to revolutionize children’s dental care. We’re finalizing our product, expanding market reach, and exploring partnerships with dental insurance companies. My long-term vision is to keep leveraging AI for Good to tackle other health challenges. Through 123Brush, I’m determined to significantly reduce the prevalence of dental caries among children and improve overall health outcomes worldwide.
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