Deniz Binay is a visionary tech leader and co-founder of Lemon Health, driven by a deep desire to turn innovation into real-life impact. From shaping global AI products to building a purpose-led health startup, Deniz’s journey reflects resilience, curiosity, and a strong commitment to helping people live healthier lives—making his story especially meaningful for the Humans of Fuzia community.
What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey with Lemon Health?
My background is deeply rooted in AI. I was part of the founding team that launched Google Assistant and later worked on Gemini Mobile. While working in health-related AI projects, I realized something important—people don’t just want data about their health, they want help taking action. Many apps track steps or sleep, but very few guide people on what to actually do. With AI now capable of deep personalization, and with my experience in AI, health, and personalization, I felt it was the right time to build something that truly helps people take action toward better health.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building the company?
Every day brings new challenges as an entrepreneur. One of the biggest hurdles was finding our voice in a very crowded health-tech market. There are so many health apps out there. At first, we were too broad with our audience. Over time, we learned to niche down, clearly identify who we want to serve, and define what makes us different. That clarity made a big difference.
What milestone are you most proud of so far?
Growing the team has been the most rewarding part of this journey. When people reach out saying they believe in our mission and even offer to work with us just to be part of what we’re building—it’s incredibly motivating. Seeing users benefit from the product and being excited about it is also deeply fulfilling.
Do you work alone or with a team?
I have a co-founder and our team currently consists of about nine people.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership and empowerment?
Good ideas come from everywhere. Building great products requires diverse perspectives—men, women, and people from different backgrounds. More than half the world’s population is women, so it’s essential that women help shape the products being built. Beyond business value, it’s also about fairness. Historically, many groups have faced disadvantages, and it’s important to consciously remove those barriers. We must also address unconscious bias through awareness and training.
What message would you like to share with future women leaders and entrepreneurs?
I’ve worked with incredible women leaders at Google, DeepMind, and in the startup world. There are many inspiring examples out there—so believe that it is possible. It might be hard, but it’s absolutely achievable. My biggest advice to everyone is: follow your dream. Even if the path is difficult, you’ll be happier knowing you went after what you truly wanted.
What does success mean to you personally and professionally?
Success is deeply personal. For me, it’s about balance—being in harmony with what you want in life. It’s not just about money or titles. If you feel aligned, calm, and at peace with where you are, that’s success.
“Follow your dream. Even when it’s difficult, you’ll always be happier knowing you chose what truly mattered to you.”
Connect with Deniz Binay: Deniz Binay | LinkedIn
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