Connect with us

Science & Technology

Keeping Your Team Motivated When FDA Approval Isn’t Guaranteed l Build Mode

Surviving the long road to FDA approval isn’t just about building great technology, it’s about keeping your team motivated, finding the right investors, and learning how to operate when timelines are uncertain. This week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannesen sits down with Robbie Bustami, co-founder and CEO of BioticsAI, a Startup Battlefield-winning company building an…

Published

4 months ago

on

Surviving the long road to FDA approval isn’t just about building great technology, it’s about keeping your team motivated, finding the right investors, and learning how to operate when timelines are uncertain.

This week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannesen sits down with Robbie Bustami, co-founder and CEO of BioticsAI, a Startup Battlefield-winning company building an AI copilot for ultrasound to help detect fetal abnormalities. From a $100K prototype to FDA clearance, Robhy shares what it actually takes to build in one of the most regulated industries in the world.

In this episode, they break down what it really looks like to build a medtech startup, where you can’t “move fast and break things,” and every milestone takes time, coordination, and trust.

This conversation covers:
🧩How to stay motivated and keep your team aligned when FDA approval isn’t guaranteed
🧩What founders need to know about navigating the FDA process from day one
🧩 How to find investors who understand the slower, high-risk nature of medtech
🧩 Why cross-functional collaboration (engineers, clinicians, researchers) is critical to success
🧩 The role of advisors and why active industry experts matter more than big names
How to build momentum and celebrate wins during long, uncertain timelines

Apply to Startup Battlefield: We are looking for early-stage companies that have an MVP. So nominate a founder (or yourself): techcrunch.com/apply. Be sure to say you heard about Startup Battlefield from the Build Mode podcast.
TechCrunch Disrupt: If you’re thinking about applying to Startup Battlefield, then October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, we’re back for TechCrunch Disrupt, where the Startup Battlefield 200 takes the stage. So if you want to cheer them on, or just network with 1000s of founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts, then grab your tickets.
Use code buildmode15 for 15% off any ticket type.

Chapters:
00:00 Building a $100K MedTech Startup
00:32 Intro: Biotics AI & the Problem with Ultrasound Misdiagnosis
02:16 What Biotics AI Actually Does (AI Copilot for Ultrasound)
02:54 Early Days: Startup Battlefield & First Product
07:10 Navigating FDA Approval (Without Guesswork)
09:22 What FDA Clearance Unlocks (Going to Market)
10:59 Selling into Hospitals & Early Customers
12:11 Keeping a Team Motivated During Long Timelines
18:54 The Hardest Parts of Building in MedTech
22:22 Fundraising, Advisors, and Building the Right Team
28:33 The Future of AI in Reproductive Healthcare

New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CNET

A Foldable iPhone? Siri AI in a HomePod? What to Expect at the iPhone Event | All Things Mobile

Apple’s September iPhone Event will be led by a new CEO, loaded with hardware, and full of surprises. We could finally get a foldable iPhone, new smart speakers, powerful smartwatches and more. Here’s what to expect and what we really want to see once Apple pulls back the curtain on September 9th. Read more about…

Published

2 days ago

on

August 31, 2026

By

Apple’s September iPhone Event will be led by a new CEO, loaded with hardware, and full of surprises. We could finally get a foldable iPhone, new smart speakers, powerful smartwatches and more. Here’s what to expect and what we really want to see once Apple pulls back the curtain on September 9th.

Read more about Apple’s rumored new foldable phone on CNET.com
A Folding iPhone at Last? What to Expect From Apple’s Surprise and Shine Fall Event

0:00 Introduction & Apple Event Rumors
0:34 What to Expect: iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max
1:22 What to Expect: Apple Watch Series 12 & Ultra 4
2:01 What to Expect: CEO Transition to John Ternus
2:41 Wishlist: Foldable iPhone Ultra
4:00 Wishlist: Smart Home & HomePod Displays
4:57 Wishlist: Siri AI Fitness Coach
6:09 Outro & World Record Result

Video Credits:
Host: Andrew Gebhart
Scripted by: Andrew Gebhart
Producer: Iyaz Akhtar, Bridget Carey
Camera: JD Christison
Video Editor: Chris Monroe
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#iphone #apple #applewatch #technews #foldable

Continue Reading

CNET

The Day Tim Cook Replaced Steve Jobs: The iPhone 4S Launch | CNET Archives

Watch the moment Tim Cook takes the stage for his first product launch as Apple CEO in 2011. Stepping into Steve Jobs’ shoes, Cook welcomes the crowd to Apple’s Town Hall auditorium, reflects on his 14-year journey and teases the future of tech. Read more about it on CNET.com Tim Cook’s Legacy: Turning Apple’s Tech…

Published

2 days ago

on

August 31, 2026

By

Watch the moment Tim Cook takes the stage for his first product launch as Apple CEO in 2011. Stepping into Steve Jobs’ shoes, Cook welcomes the crowd to Apple’s Town Hall auditorium, reflects on his 14-year journey and teases the future of tech.

Read more about it on CNET.com
Tim Cook’s Legacy: Turning Apple’s Tech Chic Gadgets Into Status Symbols

Timecode Chapters:
0:20 Welcome & CEO Introduction
0:58 The History of Apple’s Town Hall
1:43 Unveiling Apple’s Integrated Vision
2:12 Introducing the iPhone 4S
2:54 Summary of Announcements (iOS 5, iCloud, & Siri)
3:36 Closing Remarks & Thanks

Video Credits:
Producer/Editor: Vatsal Upadhyay
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#timcook #apple #iphone4s

Continue Reading

CNET

NASA Launches The Roman Space Telescope: Earth’s New Orbiting Observatory

NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Orbiting Observatory was named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, Nancy Grace Roman and can produce images from deep space 100 times larger than NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Read more about…

Published

2 days ago

on

August 30, 2026

By

NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Orbiting Observatory was named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, Nancy Grace Roman and can produce images from deep space 100 times larger than NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

Read more about NASA’s Roman Space Telescope on CNET.com:
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope Is About to Start Its Cosmic Survey

0:00 Liftoff & Ascent
1:03 Max Q
1:54 Side Booster Cutoff & Separation
2:07 Boostback Burn
2:40 Main Core Separation & Second Stage Ignition
2:57 Fairing Separation
3:34 Side Booster Entry Burn
4:09 Side Booster Landing Burn & Touchdown
4:47 Second Stage Cutoff (SECO-1)
5:14 Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Deployment
5:43 Post-Deployment Wrap-Up

Video Credits:
Producer: Stephen Beacham

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#nasa #spacex #space #spaceexploration #romanspacetelescope #astronomy #spacenews #hubble #observation

Continue Reading

Trending