Science & Technology

Maintaining Momentum and Morale while Seeking FDA Approval 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

June 25, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

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

Subscribe to Build Mode on Apple Podcasts () , Spotify () , or wherever you like to listen () . And watch the full videos on YouTube () .

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: ([%E2%80%A6]pt2026&utm_content=ticketsales&promo=buildmode15&display=true) 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. ([%E2%80%A6]pt2026&utm_content=ticketsales&promo=buildmode15&display=true)

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.

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CNET

This AI is Giving Doctors a ‘Report Card’ After Procedures

Northwestern Medicine has been using a technology called “Medtronic GI Genius” to assist with colonoscopies and has been harnessing AI to offer post-procedure feedback. You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below *CNET may get a commission on these offers Read more about it on CNET.com Timecode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: AI…

Published

1 day ago

October 25, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Northwestern Medicine has been using a technology called “Medtronic GI Genius” to assist with colonoscopies and has been harnessing AI to offer post-procedure feedback.

You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
*CNET may get a commission on these offers

CNET

We’re Folding the iPhone Duo Until It Breaks (ASMR)

Our custom-built Fold-A-Phone machine is folding the iPhone Duo constantly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, up until either one breaks. Catch the livestream every Monday through Friday on CNET’s YouTube from 1pm to 5pm ET. #foldaphone #iphoneduo #torturetest #foldablephone #allthingsmobile Video Credits: Shot and edited by Faith Chihil Add CNET as a…

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Video Credits:
Shot and edited by Faith Chihil

CNET

Meet the Machine That Will Break the iPhone Duo, Eventually | All Things Mobile

Get a behind-the-scenes look at CNET Labs, where our team of engineers built a machine that folds and unfolds phones exactly like a human would, and measures exactly how many folds a folding phone can be folded. How many folds will the iPhone Duo handle? Read more about the Fold-A-Phone on CNET.com The iPhone Duo…

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Read more about the Fold-A-Phone on CNET.com
The iPhone Duo Is Now in Our Custom-Made Foldable Phone Test Machine. Will It Beat the Galaxy Z Fold 8?

00:00 Introduction to Louisville Labs
00:17 Meet the Fold-A-Phone
00:22 Louisville Labs Testing Facility
00:53 Engineering the Fold-A-Phone Machine
1:26 Testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
2:29 Replicating Human Folding Speed & Pressure
3:30 iPhone Duo Fold Count Predictions
4:15 How to Watch the Live Stream Test

Video Credits:
Host: Dillon Payne & Matthew Murray
Producer: Dillon Payne, Stephen Beacham & Owen Poole
Camera: Dillon Payne & Faith Chihil
Video Editor: Owen Poole
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green