In this episode of "Designing Successful Startups," host Jothy Rosenberg interviews Sarah Porter, founder of MedDefend. Sarah shares her personal journey from being misdiagnosed for five years (visiting over 35 specialists) to creating an AI-powered platform that helps patients with chronic conditions get properly diagnosed. She explains her battle with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), which affects the autonomic nervous system, and how this experience inspired her to create technology that empowers patients and educates healthcare providers. The episode highlights how MedDefend uses AI to analyze patient data, create diagnosis roadmaps, and provide nurse coaching to help patients navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Sarah's startup journey includes raising funds through Techstars and angel investors while working to reduce the average seven-year diagnosis time for chronic conditions.

In this episode of "Designing Successful Startups," host Jothy Rosenberg interviews Håkan Andersson, a Swedish entrepreneur now based in New York. Håkan shares his journey with Establish, a logistics consulting firm he originally built, sold, and then bought back when it was failing. Rather than using traditional consulting approaches, Håkan implemented a radical transparency model - making their methodologies completely visible online, simplifying their service offerings from 70+ to just four core services, and letting customers find them rather than chasing leads. This approach helped him rebuild the company after being "airdropped" into New York with no network. Håkan also discusses surviving COVID when their entire pipeline disappeared in 10 days, the importance of maintaining a cash buffer, and his family history including his grandfather's legendary party that burned down their 500-year-old family farm. The episode highlights the value of transparency, focused offerings, and financial resilience in business.

In this episode of "Designing Successful Startups," host Jothy Rosenberg interviews Jesse Fittipaldi, an entrepreneur from Eugene, Oregon. Jesse shares his journey with Arcimoto, an electric vehicle startup that created an innovative three-wheeled EV designed for an autonomous future. He discusses securing initial investment from banker Bill Hambrecht, raising $19.5 million through a regulation A IPO, and the challenges of disrupting the automotive industry with a fraction of the usual budget. Now leading a biotech startup focused on neurological disease treatments, Jesse remains driven by his core purpose: making the world better. The episode highlights the importance of purpose-driven innovation, community impact, and resourceful thinking in entrepreneurship.

The primary focus of our discussion with Ken revolves around the mission of Bioforge, which seeks to revolutionize the manufacturing processes of precision biological medicines, particularly cell and gene therapies. Ken articulates the vision of making these groundbreaking treatments more affordable and accessible, addressing the unsustainable costs that currently range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per treatment. Throughout our conversation, we explore the intricate dynamics of innovation and the translational journey from scientific discovery to practical applications that can significantly enhance people's lives. 

Jeffrey Van Dyk elucidates the pivotal concept of "innovating the invisible," which serves as the cornerstone of his professional endeavors. Through his extensive experience, he aids entrepreneurs in articulating their visionary ideas and formulating market strategies that resonate with unmet needs in their industries. This episode explores the categorization of entrepreneurs into four distinct types—replicators, synthesizers, innovators, and visionaries—each contributing uniquely to the entrepreneurial landscape.

The conversation with Sam Morris elucidates the profound journey of adaptation and resilience that arises in the face of life-altering challenges. Following a catastrophic spinal cord injury that rendered him paraplegic, Sam shares his experience of navigating the complex interplay between acceptance and the instinct to fight against perceived limitations. He emphasizes that true strength lies not in battling one's circumstances, but in embracing them.

Gwenael “Gwen” Hannema is a mechanical engineer by training and a MedTech entrepreneur at heart. As the founder of OrthoSens, he is on a mission to revolutionize post-surgical recovery by "making implants talk." His company develops smart sensors and the SensApp platform to provide continuous, real-time insights into orthopedic recovery, empowering surgeons with dynamic data and engaging patients in their own healing journey.

Roger Espasa, the esteemed founder and CEO of Semi Dynamics, engaged in a profound discourse on the intricacies of innovation within the realm of high-performance computing and machine learning. Central to our conversation was the notion that the journey of entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges, yet it is the persistent pursuit of completion and excellence that defines success. Espasa articulated his personal motivations for founding Semi Dynamics, stemming from experiences in larger corporations where pivotal projects were often abandoned, leaving him with a profound sense of frustration

David and Jothy reminisce about their long-standing friendship and their shared experiences in the tech industry, with a particular focus on their time at Borland. The conversation delves into the importance of strong teams and customer relationships in developing quality software. They reflect on their individual career paths, highlighting key moments that shaped their understanding of technology and management. Jothy shares his journey through various startups, emphasizing the value of grit and resilience in the face of challenges.

Analisa Gooden, founder and CEO of Catch and Release, discusses her innovative approach to licensing content from the internet, addressing the complexities of intellectual property in the digital age. Her company aims to create a seamless licensing layer that connects content creators with brands, ensuring that creators are fairly compensated while brands can utilize authentic content for their marketing campaigns. Gooden shares her personal journey, from her early experiences with entrepreneurship to navigating the challenges of transitioning from a service-based model to a product-focused company.

Vivjan Myrto, founder and managing partner at Hyperplane, shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in Albania under a harsh communist regime to navigating significant health challenges, including a battle with cancer, which ultimately shaped his resilient entrepreneurial spirit. He reflects on the lessons learned from surviving societal upheavals and how they instilled a deep determination to persevere and innovate. Vivjan emphasizes the importance of grit and adaptability in the startup world, highlighting that success often comes from being reactive to the present rather than overly focused on long-term predictions.

Join Jothy Rosenberg as he speaks with Jeremy Toeman, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and innovator, about the challenges and opportunities in video marketing today. Jeremy highlights a striking statistic: 70% of businesses are not utilizing video marketing, which underscores a significant gap in the industry. He shares insights from his journey, including his experiences with startups like Sling Media, emphasizing the importance of transparency and building strong relationships with co-founders and friends to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the intersection of technology and media, exploring how video tools can empower non-professionals to participate in video-first marketing.

Charlotte Sika, founder and CEO of I Am Cultured, joins Jothy Rosenberg to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of cultural awareness through curated experiences. Charlotte believes that anyone can achieve their goals if they are open to learning, willing to face failure, and ready to get back up again. She shares her unique perspective on courage as a habit, emphasizing that it grows stronger with each challenge faced. Originally from Nigeria, Charlotte’s diverse background and experiences have shaped her approach to business,

Stories are the driving force behind change and transformation, as emphasized by our guest, Lior Arussy, a leading authority in customer experience and transformation. In a captivating discussion with host Jothy Rosenberg, Lior shares his insights on how storytelling can mobilize people in ways that mere facts and figures cannot. He reflects on his journey from Israel to the United States, highlighting the grit and determination cultivated in a challenging environment.

Gihan Amarasiriwardena, co-founder of Ministry of Supply, discusses the innovative approach his company takes towards performance clothing designed for the modern professional. With a background in engineering and a passion for outdoor activities, Gihan emphasizes the importance of materials innovation and versatility in clothing. He shares insights into the challenges faced by start-ups, particularly in the volatile post-pandemic market, and how they have adapted their supply chain to meet changing consumer demands.

Nico Torteli, a former Olympic swimmer and successful fintech entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from the competitive swimming world to the realm of startups. After a notable athletic career, which included breaking records and competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Nico transitioned into finance, co-founding multiple fintech companies in Brazil. His passion for sports and technology culminated in the creation of Sportidia, a social media platform designed to foster community and encourage physical activity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Demi Oloyede is a Veteran, dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Limpiar, a cutting-edge cleaning service provider leveraging technology and sustainability to redefine industry standards. With a background in IT management and product development, Demi’s journey began as a first-generation immigrant who worked in cleaning services while putting herself through college. Her experiences and insights have fueled her mission to address challenges in the cleaning industry by building accessible, eco-conscious solutions.

Bennett Maxwell, a multifaceted entrepreneur and the founder of Dirty Dough Cookies, shares his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and innovating in the competitive cookie market. He discusses the unexpected lawsuit from Crumble, a billion-dollar company, which initially seemed like a setback but ultimately became a catalyst for his brand's growth. With a focus on joy and fulfillment, Bennett emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, especially after realizing that monetary success does not equate to happiness.

Natalyn Lewis emphasizes the importance of having a crystal clear vision when starting a business, arguing that many entrepreneurs begin their journeys with half-baked ideas that lack direction. Drawing from her extensive experience in both the corporate world and entrepreneurship, she illustrates how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can derail founders. The conversation delves into her personal journey, including her struggles with anxiety and the pivotal moments that led her to become a coach to entrepreneurs.

Jonathan Lowenhar, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO advisor, shares his insights on the journey of founders transitioning into effective CEOs. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has successfully navigated various roles in startups and large companies, ultimately leading him to create Enjoy the Work, a firm dedicated to helping founders develop their leadership skills. Jonathan emphasizes the unique challenges faced by startup CEOs, particularly the lack of formal training and the overwhelming pressure to succeed.