The Medtech Innovation Podcast

I'm joined by Lorenzo Johnson, Founder & CEO of Icovy Marketing — one of the only agencies built from the ground up for medtech — as we break down why so many companies with genuinely great technology still struggle to win commercially, how AI rewired buyer behavior and discoverability, and why marketing deserves to be treated as an investment instead of an expense. Why Great Tech Still Loses...

I'm joined by Ryan Schoonmaker, Founder & CEO at Tight Line Solutions, as we explore why growth-stage medtech teams burn out fixing past shortcuts, the two-roadmap discipline almost nobody actually runs, and how to lead engineering through five-alarm fires without breaking your team. In this episode, we dive deep into: Why "Tight Line" Is the Right Mental Model for Product Development → Ryan n...

I'm joined by Lindsay Crescenzo, R&D Director at Heraeus, as we explore how contract manufacturers are powering the electrophysiology boom, the strategic logic behind selective automation investments, and what it actually takes to build a high-performing engineering team from scratch. In this episode, we dive deep into: The DNA of Heraeus: Contract Manufacturing for EP → Heraeus focuses exclus...

I'm joined by Brian Carlisle, Managing Partner and Founder of Carlisle Strategic Partners, as we explore how to build predictable sales engines in medtech, manage distributor relationships like direct reps, and navigate the capital raising landscape without leaving money on the table. Building a Predictable Sales Engine: The Buying Process Mirror → Brian deployed a customized sales methodology at...

I'm joined by Rhys Williams, CEO at Orchestrate, as we explore how AI-powered regulatory technology is breaking down the barriers to medtech commercialization and why the infrastructure gap — not the science — is what's really holding the industry back. The $50K Barrier Nobody Questions → Medtech companies are told to budget $20,000-$50,000 minimum just for regulatory clarity — Rhys challenges thi...

I'm joined by Lucas Pianegonda, Founder at Gradical, as we explore sustainable plastics in medtech, from the four forces driving change across a $340 billion industry to practical strategies for choosing better materials without sacrificing patient outcomes. The Four Forces Driving Sustainable Medtech → 49 of the top 100 medtech companies have committed to climate targets through SBTI, representin...

I'm joined by Brett Jansen, Founder & CEO at HealthTech House, as we explore how AI is transforming go-to-market strategy for medtech startups, why the one-person growth team is becoming reality, and lessons from taking Butterfly Network's handheld ultrasound to market. From Gym Receptionist to MedTech Growth Leader → Brett started as a facilities coordinator at Cerner's gym before executives...

I'm joined by Courtney Turich, Global VP of Sales and Marketing at Cooler Heads, as we explore how scalp cooling technology is transforming chemotherapy for cancer patients and the go-to-market challenges of selling devices outside the traditional surgical setting. From Stryker Sales to Shark Tank → Built her career at Stryker as one of few women in her division, then launched Monkey Mat and lande...

I'm joined by Dan Mazzucco, CEO & Founder of ZSX Medical and Principal at Third Eye Associates, as we explore how he's survived two decades of pivots, FDA battles, and near-death startup experiences building a better way to close surgical wounds - plus an unfiltered look at why women's health innovation is decades behind the rest of medtech. From ACL Tear to Medical Device Entrepreneur → Dan's...

I'm joined by Brad Shirley, Founder at DCMS Solutions, as we explore how he helped a physician-inventor's sports med device get acquired by Arthrex, the playbook for navigating strategic partnerships and IP deals, and why most early-stage medtech companies stall before they ever reach a strategic's radar. From Startup to Arthrex: The HolmesMed Acquisition Playbook → How Brad helped Dr. Wendell Hol...

I'm joined by Serge Kadjo, Founder & CEO at Wearer Lab dba Productflo.io, as we explore how AI-powered design tools are revolutionizing hardware development and compressing the medtech innovation cycle. From African Robotics Dreams to Global Hardware Innovation → Serge's journey spans West Africa, military service, and multiple continents (Poland, China, Morocco, France) with exits in smart ag...

I'm joined by Brent Lavin, Founder of Ironwood Medtech Partners, as we explore product commercialization mastery, the critical mistakes medtech companies make in development, and how to navigate M&A as both acquirer and startup. The Product Development Trap Most Startups Fall Into → Companies commit to their solution too early without sufficient iteration - taking multiple prototypes to physic...

I'm joined by Monica Vajani, Executive Director of the MedTech Accelerator at mHUB, as we explore the broken early-stage funding model, the evolution of value-based care's impact on medical device purchasing, and why Chicago is becoming a powerhouse for hard tech innovation. Living Through the Value-Based Care Revolution → Monica witnessed firsthand the transition from physician-driven purchasing...

I'm joined by Jonathan Swill, Principal Consultant at Surgical Excellence Partners, as we explore the future of patient-specific implants in orthopedics, why 20% of knee replacement patients remain unsatisfied, and how personalized medicine combined with robotics and AI will transform musculoskeletal surgery. In this episode, we dive deep into: The Patient-Specific Implant Revolution in Orthopedic...

I'm joined by Jelani Abdus-Salaam, Founder at Best of AI, as we explore how AI can transform medtech operations, the critical distinction between AI automation and AI agents, and practical strategies for adopting AI without massive organizational overhauls. In this episode, we dive deep into: AI Literacy Gap Creates Massive Medtech Opportunity → Medtech is perfectly suited for AI with rules-based...

I'm joined by Jeff June, MedTech Founder and Ecosystem Builder, as we explore the broken venture capital model in healthcare, why accelerator programs are failing early-stage companies, and his battle-tested strategies for building successful MedTech ventures through strategic partnerships and ecosystem development. In this episode, we dive deep into: The Funding Crisis Reality Check → Why venture...

I'm joined by Aaron Moncur, Founder and President at Pipeline Design & Engineering, as we explore his unique approach to building an engineering empire centered on promoting joy in team members' lives, innovative automation solutions, and creating community-driven platforms that are revolutionizing how engineers collaborate and learn. In this episode, we dive deep into: From Near-Death Surfing...

I'm joined by Ross Peterson, Chief Business Development Officer at ProPlate, as we explore the specialized world of metallization and electroplating for medical devices, from life-saving pediatric applications to cutting-edge energy delivery systems. In this episode, we dive deep into: The Science of Medical Device Metallization → How electroplating adds metal microinches at a time using electrica...

I'm joined by Jeremy Ridley, Senior Director of Engineering at Delve, as we explore how the best engineers design and develop complex medtech innovations, from managing regulatory constraints to building breakthrough products that actually make it to market. The Hidden Reality of Medtech Engineering Leadership → Most engineering leaders underestimate the time required for regulatory alignment - Je...

I'm joined by John Behles, Owner at Lexigent LLC and Founder & GP at PhiCAP Fund, as we explore the critical role of intellectual property strategy in medtech success, common IP pitfalls that destroy startup valuations, and how physician-led venture capital is reshaping healthcare investing. In this episode, we dive deep into: The IP Strategy Foundation   → Why doing your own prior art researc...

I'm joined by Natalie Freels, CEO at InsightHealth Consulting, as we explore how data-driven market intelligence is revolutionizing medtech commercialization strategies and transforming how innovative companies bring breakthrough technologies to market. The Hidden Truth About Market Research in Medtech → Traditional market research methods are failing medtech startups because they rely on outdated...

I'm joined by Brian More, CEO at Nanovis, a nanotechnology company that's transforming patient outcomes through breakthrough surface engineering innovations. In this episode, we jump into: The Nanotechnology Impact in Spinal Implants → Nanovis creates surfaces that mimic natural bone structure at the nanoscale, dramatically improving osseointegration rates → Their proprietary nanotopography increa...

I'm joined by Damian Carr, CEO of Eyedea MedTech Education, as we explore his mission to rapidly accelerate medtech innovation through democratized catheter design knowledge, hands-on learning experiences, and breaking down the traditional silos that slow device development. In this episode, we dive deep into: From Personal Health Crisis to Innovation Mission   → How a childhood tuberculosis diagn...

I'm joined by Santosh Iyer, Founder and CEO of Moonshot, as we explore the mission to train the modern healthcare workforce in emerging technologies, the true potential of AI in medtech, and strategies for innovating within highly regulated healthcare environments. In this episode, we dive deep into: Moonshot's Mission and Vision → Training healthcare professionals to leverage AI, advanced imaging...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Oke Anakwenze, CEO of SutureTech and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Duke University, as we explore his journey from practicing surgeon to medtech entrepreneur and the development of RapidFix - the world's first all-suture staple for tendon repair. In this episode, we breakdown: The Surgeon's Path to Innovation  → First-generation journey into orthopedic surge...