Project Medtech

In this episode, Ankit (founder of UGen) and Brent (a physical therapist at University Hospitals) about why rehab is primed for innovation, and how UGen is tackling the biggest breakdowns in physical therapy. Ankit shares how his grandfather’s Parkinson’s journey inspired him to apply his electrical engineering and sensor research background to build wearable motion sensors that deliver real-time,...

In this episode, Cory Criss joins Duane Mancini to share his path from pediatric surgeon to building innovation infrastructure at Nationwide Children’s and helping launch the Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium (MPDC), an FDA-funded Pediatric Device Consortium created to accelerate pediatric device development. The conversation breaks down why pediatrics is uniquely hard—small, fragmented markets...

In this episode, Brent Lavin shares how two decades in product and portfolio management at GE Healthcare, C.R. Bard, and BD shaped his mission to help Series A and B medtech startups build commercial logic into every stage of innovation. Brent breaks down what surprised him most moving from strategics to early-stage teams and why large companies often operate like startups when resources must be e...

In this episode, Duane Mancini speaks with vascular neurologist Anit Behera about what it takes to improve stroke care from the ER through long-term recovery. Anit shares his path through an MD-PhD in outcomes research, how consulting and clinical trials shaped his innovation mindset, and why stroke care advancement spans four phases: prevention, acute treatment, post-acute care, and rehabilitatio...

In this episode, Jake Ward joins Duane Mancini to break down how startups should think about intellectual property from day one and why smart IP decisions directly impact fundability. Jake shares how Ward Law grew from a three-person boutique to a 35-person, multi-state virtual firm, and why their Midwest roots help deliver high-quality IP services at accessible rates for entrepreneurs. The conver...

In this episode, Jenny Lynn—founder of milkmade and a mom-turned-entrepreneur—shares how a frightening breastfeeding experience, including an undiagnosed tongue tie and the exhausting “weighted feed” routine, sparked the idea for a Smart Nipple Shield that can deliver continuous, actionable insight into infant milk intake. The conversation explores why breastfeeding—despite being the clinical “gol...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Sarah to unpack her path from healthcare operator to investor and what founders should know when raising capital today. Sarah shares how her experience as the 10th employee at a digital health startup shaped her empathy for founders and the practical lens she brings to diligence, from ICP and pricing to building durable foundations early. The conversat...

Join us for a special 250th episode of The Project Medtech Podcast as host Duane Mancini and Director of Marketing and Engagement, Lindsey Dinneen, flip the script. Duane shares the journey from the podcast's inception during the height of COVID-19 to becoming a consulting, networking, and education resource for medtech startups. They delve into the core philosophy of creating value, the reali...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Louise Yochee Klein to explore the fundamentals of fostering courage and innovation in the MedTech industry. Louise shares her journey from Canada to Philly, co-founding Courage Growth Partners, and emphasizes the importance of understanding and overcoming fear in business. The conversation highlights the critical need for aligning team objectives, adh...

In this episode, Duane Mancini welcomes Aileen Helsel, Director of Innovation at Carilion Clinic, to discuss the exciting advancements in healthcare innovation in Roanoke, Virginia. Aileen shares her journey from academia to technology transfer and ultimately to her current role, emphasizing the transition from research to real-world application. They explore Carilion Clinic's unique position...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Stan Glezer, Managing Director at Outcome Capital, to dive deep into the roles of strategic advisory and investment banking in driving innovation within the life sciences sector. Stan elaborates on his multifaceted career, from his beginnings as a physician to leading roles in biopharma and MedTech companies. He discusses the importance of aligning a c...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Katie Brinkman to discuss the nuances of biocompatibility, the critical role of biological evaluation plans, and the evolving regulatory landscape, including the importance of risk assessment. Katie also shares her experience with biocompatibility evaluation during significant regulatory changes such as EU MDR remediation and the 10993 standard updates...

In this episode, Duane Mancini speaks with Matt Wunzin, a biomedical engineer from Ohio with nearly 20 years of experience in the medtech industry. Matt shares his career journey from earning his degree at the University of Akron to working at various medical device companies, both large and small, and also discusses his transition to consulting with his firm, Five Design and Development. He share...

Duane Mancini chats with Michael Challenor to discuss his entrepreneurial journey in the medtech industry, starting from his early passion for invention through his pivotal experiences in the Stanford Biodesign program in Perth, to co-founding Vital Trace. He highlights his current venture, Innovate Medtech, which supports medtech startups with grants, fundraising, and product development. Michael...

Duane Mancini interviews Spencer Jones, a registered nurse turned medtech entrepreneur. Spencer recounts his journey from bedside nursing to founding two medtech companies, sharing valuable advice on navigating the often complex medtech landscape, including the critical role of thorough customer discovery and strategic vendor relationships in mitigating commercial risks. He also introduces XO MedT...

Duane Mancini welcomes Emily Adams, Co-Founder of Leading with Human Design, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in the Amish culture to becoming a leader in the tech and consulting world. Emily details her escape at 17, her transition into the corporate world, her rapid rise in the automotive manufacturing industry, and her healing journey through therapy and powerlifting, which led...

Duane Mancini welcomes Ben Fogarty, a design generalist and strategist and founder partner at Council. Ben shares his journey from an art student to leading an independent design practice working with startups and Fortune 500 companies. The conversation delves into the vital role of design thinking in problem-solving, the importance of internal and external brand alignment, and crafting clear, com...

This special episode of the podcast is a recording of a panel discussion that took place at the 2025 Ohio VC Fest powered by @JumpStart Inc. entitled "AI-Driven Healthcare: The Heartland Advantage." Panelists include Michael Dalton (CEO & Founder at @Ovatient), Kaleigh Gallagher (VP of Tech Services & Network Management at @JumpStart), Matthew Zenker (Director of Tech Partnership...

In this episode, Duane Mancini chats with Holly Cotter, a seasoned regulatory quality and clinical consulting expert in MedTech and co-founder of indieMedTech. Holly discusses the inception of indieMedTech, a platform designed to support MedTech professionals, especially independent consultants and startups, with a robust community and marketplace. The conversation delves into Holly's backgrou...

In this episode, Duane Mancini interviews Allison Komiyama, a former FDA reviewer turned successful entrepreneur, who shares her journey from her early passion for biology, through her academic achievements in molecular cell biology and neuroscience, to landing a role at the FDA. She recounts the challenges and lessons learned starting her own regulatory consulting business and scaling it to a suc...

In this episode, Duane Mancini, Tino Chow, and Lindsey Dinneen dive into the intricacies of pitching, focusing on both the technical and emotional aspects. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity, building relationships, and the critical role a cohesive and credible team plays in attracting investors. They share strategies for maintaining consistency across your brand and variou...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits down with Amy Rinaldo, Partner at Ward Law Office, to discuss the strategic intricacies of intellectual property in the medtech industry. Amy shares her extensive experience in patent and trademark law, exploring the intersection of IP strategy with regulatory compliance and commercialization. The conversation covers the importance of comprehensive IP planning,...

In this episode, Duane Mancini sits downs with Leo Eisner, a seasoned expert in medical device safety and compliance, as he shares his extensive experience and knowledge on the IEC 60601 standards. With a career spanning over 40 years, Leo talks about his beginnings at NASA, his role in the development of medical safety standards, and the intricacies of compliance testing. Discover the complexitie...

In this episode, Duane Mancini chats with Logan McKnight, a seasoned professional with a vast background in medtech. Logan shares her journey from starting in medical services and neuromonitoring to leadership roles, culminating in the establishment of her consulting firm, GoodKnight Consulting. The conversation dives into the nuances of managing corporate and field leaders, the importance of tran...

In this episode, Duane Mancini welcomes back Kevin Saem, Managing Director of Zapyrus, for an enlightening discussion on the future of the MedTech industry. The episode delves into the latest trends in medtech funding, highlighting a significant increase in investments outside the U.S., the pivotal role of diagnostic technologies, and the importance of clinical data over revenue for attracting inv...