#010 What would you do if the company you helped build was suddenly sold, leaving you out of a job? For Frank Tighe, that moment of uncertainty became the launchpad for an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey. In this episode of Healthcare Wayfinders, I sit down with my mentor and friend, Frank Tighe, a healthcare entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has navigated the highs and lows of building and scaling successful companies.
Frank shares how an unexpected company sale thrust him into the world of entrepreneurship, leading to the creation and eventual sale of his own healthcare startup. He dives into the pivotal lessons he learned along the way—from the importance of resilience and customer discovery to the power of innovation in delivering better patient outcomes. You’ll hear firsthand about his experiences building Retina Labs, working with Johns Hopkins on groundbreaking medical devices, and transitioning into venture capital to mentor and invest in the next generation of startups.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about what it takes to succeed in the world of health tech, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, candid stories, and timeless business principles.
Key Takeaways:
The surprising question that changed Frank's career trajectoryWhy setbacks often lead to breakthrough opportunitiesHow simple innovations, like a color change in surgical tools, can have massive impactsThe importance of customer discovery and the right team structure when launching a startupFrank's perspective on the future of healthcare innovation and the role of competitionJoin us as Frank unpacks his journey from startup to VC, offering invaluable lessons for anyone navigating the healthcare industry or the startup world.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
Contact the Healthcare Wayfinders Podcast
Email us at podcast@grassrootslabs.comSpecial Thanks to:
Seth Aten who produces the podcast. Grassroots Labs for sponsoring the show.Review us on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen.
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