Empowering Animal Care: Fady Azzouny on Revolutionizing Veterinary Services with Vetwork

Fady Azzouny is a veterinarian-turned-entrepreneur passionate about transforming the animal care industry. With two previous startups in the sector—one a learning experience and the other a modest exit—he now leads Vetwork as its CEO and Founder. Vetwork is an AI-powered platform bridging the gap between pet owners and animal care professionals, making veterinary services more accessible while empowering professionals. With a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation, Fady is also spearheading the development of AI-driven solutions to streamline operations, automate tasks, and elevate the quality of animal care globally.

Why did you choose to start a business?

I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship, inspired by my father, Mahmoud Azzouny, and using technology, inspired by my older brother, Kareem Azzouny, to create meaningful solutions—especially in underserved sectors. The veterinary and animal care field holds immense potential yet lacks the digital tools available in other industries. I saw an opportunity to make a difference by creating a platform that not only improves care but also supports my colleagues in the field. For me, Vetwork is more than a business; it’s a way to bring much-needed support to creatures that cannot speak for themselves.

How did you start your business?

Ideal Answer: The early days of Vetwork were a mix of validating the idea and understanding the needs of both pet owners and veterinary professionals. I focused on building a network of trusted partners and started small, refining the concept through feedback and testing. I then incorporated AI to help scale our operations, automating critical areas like customer support and matchmaking between clients and providers. Navigating this journey required balancing the tech side with the real-world needs of our users, which was invaluable in shaping Vetwork.

Real Answer: The early days of Vetwork were nothing short of a rollercoaster. Fresh out of three years in the Egyptian Army, I was struggling to find stability—traumatized and overwhelmed. With the arrival of my little girl, I needed an income immediately and faced a pivotal choice: continue with Vetwork or find a job. That’s when Allah sent me an incredible opportunity: the 500 Startups Riyadh Accelerator Program. It was a game-changer. I met amazing mentors and peers who transformed my mindset. Building Vetwork has been a cycle of dark days and wonderful days, but each challenge shaped the journey.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your business?

I wish I had understood earlier the complexity of scaling a service-based business in a niche field. I also wish I had recognized that almost every person you’re willing to hire is selling themselves—not in a bad way, but they are trying to show what they could be, not necessarily what they are. I wish I hadn’t trusted people so quickly. While technology can solve many challenges, building trust within the animal care community and educating users takes time and patience. There’s a learning curve to adopting technology in this sector, and understanding that process sooner would have saved a lot of trial and error.

Did you have any support in your journey?

Definitely! I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and resources that have guided me, especially as we began integrating AI into Vetwork. Collaborating with companies and experts in AI and technology has given me insights into how to enhance our platform’s capabilities. Additionally, my mother, Neveen Soliman, who leads Delta Egypt for Integrated Medical Services, has been an inspiration and provided invaluable advice on running a healthcare-related business. Networking with professionals and AI experts has also helped me gain a broader perspective on what’s possible.

What is your greatest challenge as a business owner?

Now, I think it’s important to stay as enthusiastic as before… before doing business with humans 😀. I believe my co-founder and I used to hire people who weren’t the best fit, which was a mistake!

What advice would you give to your past self before opening your own business?

MICROMANAGE until you have structure and reporting ‘compliance’ in place!

Reflecting on your path to entrepreneurship, what key piece of advice would you offer to aspiring founders ?

Stay curious and resilient! Entrepreneurship is a marathon, and success comes from continuously learning, improving, and not being discouraged by setbacks. Always listen to your users—they’ll provide the best insights into what needs to be done. Finally, don’t hesitate to leverage technology—it can open doors you didn’t even know existed.