Medsider: Learn from Medtech and Healthtech Founders and CEOs

Scott Nelson
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Learn from the brightest CEOs in medtech and healthtech. That's our primary goal with Medsider. We unpack the strategies, tactics, and secrets behind the most successful startups. Join tens of thousands of ambitious doers and get access to the top medical device and health technology thought leaders.

  1. Why Commercial Discipline Starts Long Before Launch: Interview with RenovoRx CEO Shaun Bagai

    1D AGO

    Why Commercial Discipline Starts Long Before Launch: Interview with RenovoRx CEO Shaun Bagai

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx.  The company is developing targeted oncology therapies and is currently commercializing RenovoCath, which is focused on pancreatic cancer.  Before joining RenovoRx in 2014, Shaun spent over a decade in the cardiovascular space, including leading global market development at HeartFlow and helping establish the European renal denervation market at Ardian, which Medtronic acquired for approximately $1 billion. He began his career in clinical research and device sales at TransVascular and Medtronic.  In this interview, Shaun discusses how testing markets with minimal infrastructure reveals what leads to commercial success, why clinical trial enrollment benefits from sales discipline, and what founders should understand about going public when traditional capital isn't available. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. And if you’re ready to level up your medtech game, you should check out Medsider Courses — 8-week masterclasses covering topics like fundraising, M&A and exit planning, design and development, clinical and regulatory strategy, and commercialization. These courses, featuring hard-earned lessons from elite medtech CEOs, can be purchased individually or come free with our All-Access Pass. If you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Shaun Bagai.

    56 min
  2. Using Private Capital to Preserve Control: Interview with SynerFuse CEO Justin Zenanko

    FEB 10

    Using Private Capital to Preserve Control: Interview with SynerFuse CEO Justin Zenanko

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Justin Zenanko, co-founder & CEO of SynerFuse. SynerFuse is developing the e-TLIF procedure, which combines spinal fusion with neuromodulation by placing leads directly at exposed nerves during surgery. A certified public accountant and serial entrepreneur, Justin previously served as CFO and senior vice president of corporate development at Recombinetics, where he led fundraising efforts totaling $68 million. In this interview, Justin discusses approaching FDA interactions as negotiations, validating procedures with off-the-shelf components before investing in custom devices, and structuring private raises through investment banks to preserve control while delaying institutional venture capital. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. And if you’re ready to level up your medtech game, you should check out Medsider Courses — 8-week masterclasses covering topics like fundraising, M&A and exit planning, design and development, clinical and regulatory strategy, and commercialization. These courses, featuring hard-earned lessons from elite medtech CEOs, can be purchased individually or come free with our All-Access Pass. If you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Justin Zenanko.

    57 min
  3. Why Small UX Details Can Matter More Than Years of R&D: Interview with Eli Health CEO Marina Pavlovic Rivas

    JAN 27

    Why Small UX Details Can Matter More Than Years of R&D: Interview with Eli Health CEO Marina Pavlovic Rivas

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Marina Pavlovic Rivas, co-founder & CEO of Eli Health. The company is focused on making hormone data accessible in real time through its saliva-based testing system that delivers results through a mobile app.  A data scientist by training, Marina previously founded Gradiant AI, a machine learning company that was acquired in 2019.  In this interview, Marina discusses how to evaluate form factor options without locking into a design too early, what beta testing reveals that years of lab work can't, and how existing consumer spending patterns influence positioning and pricing strategies. She also shares how regulatory considerations shaped product decisions from the outset and why building in-house proved more efficient than outsourcing when external partners said the company’s goals were impossible. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. And if you’re ready to level up your medtech game, you should check out Medsider Courses — 8-week masterclasses covering topics like fundraising, M&A and exit planning, design and development, clinical and regulatory strategy, and commercialization. These courses, featuring hard-earned lessons from elite medtech CEOs, can be purchased individually or come free with our All-Access Pass. If you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Marina Pavlovic Rivas.

    50 min
  4. Building Fast Without Cutting Corners: Interview with Excision Medical CEO Greg Walters

    JAN 21

    Building Fast Without Cutting Corners: Interview with Excision Medical CEO Greg Walters

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Greg Walters, co-founder & CEO of Excision Medical. Excision is developing a leaflet modification system to enable lifetime management of aortic stenosis. Greg has almost 40 years of experience in cardiovascular devices, holding leadership roles at Kensey Nash Corporation where he led the development of Angio-Seal and several endovascular programs. He later co-founded Essential Medical, which was acquired by Teleflex in 2018, and is an inventor on more than 75 U.S. and European patents. In this interview, Greg discusses why early-stage teams should build to learn rather than to impress, using functional prototypes to generate real feedback and fundraising momentum. He outlines how disciplined safety work — not perfection — defines first-in-human readiness, and what makes a pre-revenue company attractive to strategic acquirers.  Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. And if you’re ready to level up your medtech game, you should check out Medsider Courses — 8-week masterclasses covering topics like fundraising, M&A and exit planning, design and development, clinical and regulatory strategy, and commercialization. These courses, featuring hard-earned lessons from elite medtech CEOs, can be purchased individually or come free with our All-Access Pass. If you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Greg Walters.

    53 min
  5. Building Faster by Questioning Dogma: Interview with Future Cardia CEO Jaeson Bang

    JAN 13

    Building Faster by Questioning Dogma: Interview with Future Cardia CEO Jaeson Bang

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Jaeson Bang, Founder & CEO of Future Cardia. Future Cardia is developing a subcutaneous heart-failure monitoring platform designed to capture both electrical and mechanical cardiac signals through a simple office-based procedure. Jaeson brings more than two decades of experience building implantable cardiac technologies across Medtronic, CVRx, EBR Systems, and Abiomed. Drawing on that background, he questioned industry assumptions around miniaturization and invasive workflows — and built a device that prioritizes performance, durability, and clinical practicality instead. In this interview, Jaeson shares how challenging a core constraint unlocked a faster development path, why deep domain expertise matters more than thrift in regulated markets, and how raising capital outside traditional VC can preserve leverage and buy time. If you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Jaeson Bang.

    55 min
  6. The Hidden Drivers of Clinical Trial Success: Interview with Rivermark CEO Dr. Adam Kadlec

    12/16/2025

    The Hidden Drivers of Clinical Trial Success: Interview with Rivermark CEO Dr. Adam Kadlec

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down Dr. Adam Kadlec, practicing urologist and co-founder of Rivermark Medical. Rivermark is a clinical-stage company developing FloStent, a first-line, reversible device therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Before launching Rivermark, Adam built a thriving urological practice in Milwaukee and consulted for several device companies — experiences that ultimately revealed how early true device development begins and why physicians rarely get the chance to influence innovation upstream. Partnering with medtech operator Andy Doraiswamy, Adam transitioned from clinician to CEO and is now leading Rivermark through its pivotal trial. In this interview, Adam shares why workflow integration is one of the most overlooked drivers of adoption, how physician-innovators can build the right decision-making infrastructure, and why understanding who actually enrolls patients at clinical sites can make or break a trial. He also touches on the mindset required to stay resilient through the ups and downs of building a medtech startup. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more! We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and 3 packages that will help you make use of our database of 750+ life science investors more efficiently for your fundraise and help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor! In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VII. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more. Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Adam Kadlec.

    58 min
  7. Building the Market Before the Product: Interview with Inmedix CEO Andrew Holman, MD

    12/10/2025

    Building the Market Before the Product: Interview with Inmedix CEO Andrew Holman, MD

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Andrew Holman, MD, CEO of Inmedix. Inmedix is commercializing CloudHRV, an FDA-cleared diagnostic that quantifies biological stress with clinical precision to guide treatment decisions in autoimmune disease and beyond. Andrew is a practicing rheumatologist in Seattle with 25 years of clinical and research experience. His discoveries linking autonomic dysfunction to autoimmune disease outcomes led to a $10 million patent sale to Boehringer Ingelheim. After a decade in retirement, he returned to found Inmedix and pioneer the field of immuno-autonomics — preparing the market for his technology years before launch. In this interview, Andrew shares how to build a category before commercializing a product, why clinical evidence creates competitive moats that money can't replicate, and how to raise capital from angel investors by understanding what they actually care about. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more! We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and 3 packages that will help you make use of our database of 750+ life science investors more efficiently for your fundraise and help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor! In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VII. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more. Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Andrew Holman.

    53 min
  8. Build Evidence in Layers, Not Leaps: Interview with May Health CEO Colby Holtshouse

    12/03/2025

    Build Evidence in Layers, Not Leaps: Interview with May Health CEO Colby Holtshouse

    In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Colby Holtshouse, President and CEO of May Health. May Health is developing a minimally invasive ovarian ablation therapy designed to restore ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and PCOS-related infertility. Before May Health, Colby served as Global Medtech Commercial Lead at Organon, overseeing the worldwide launch of the Jada System following Organon’s acquisition of Alydia Health, where she held roles including COO, Interim CEO, and VP of Marketing. She has also held leadership positions at Pelvalon, AccessClosure, Medtronic, and Guidant. In this discussion, Colby shares why early clinical evidence should be built in focused layers rather than oversized, all-at-once trials. She explains how a small, deliberate early launch can reveal the workflow nuances and real-world expectations no study ever captures. And she outlines why founders should define the raise first — and how clarity, preparation, and a deep understanding of strategic partners can dramatically accelerate the fundraising process. Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things: First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more! We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and 3 packages that will help you make use of our database of 750+ life science investors more efficiently for your fundraise and help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor! In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VII. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more. Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Colby Holtshouse.

    55 min
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4.7
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Learn from the brightest CEOs in medtech and healthtech. That's our primary goal with Medsider. We unpack the strategies, tactics, and secrets behind the most successful startups. Join tens of thousands of ambitious doers and get access to the top medical device and health technology thought leaders.

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