From Petri to Pillar: Culturing Entrepreneurship with Tony Kulesa.
Karl and Erum welcome Tony Kulesa, an engineer, investor, and entrepreneur in biotech. He’s sharing his insights on the future of biotechnology, discussing how advancements in reading and writing biology are driving significant changes in the field. Tony recounts his journey from academia to founding Petri, an incubator for biotech startups, and later integrating it into Pillar VC to support a global community of scientist-entrepreneurs. Tony emphasizes the importance of a supportive culture for transitioning academic research into practical, impactful solutions. The discussion covers the challenges and opportunities in biopharma, the potential of biotech in addressing global issues, and the growing interest in animal healthcare. Tony's perspectives are both inspiring and practical, providing valuable guidance for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Unlocking the Power of Biology: A New Era
00:00:15 - Summer Vibes and Outdoor Adventures
00:02:19 - Biotech Events and Networking in the Summer
00:03:00 - Dissecting Biopharma Events and AI in Drug Discovery
00:05:11 - The Future of AI and Drug Discovery: Insights and Disappointments
00:09:17 - Investment Trends and Opportunities in Biopharma
00:15:51 - Building a Community: The Grow Everything Podcast Patreon
00:17:36 - Introducing Tony Kulesa: From Research to Venture Capital
00:23:00 - Tony Kulesa on Microbial Therapeutics and Drug Discovery Platforms
00:26:22 - Tony Kulesa's Journey from Research to Venture
00:32:39 - Entrepreneurship at MIT: A Cultural Shift
00:34:42 - COVID-19 and Its Effect on Global Startups
00:37:50 - Tony Kulesa on Scientist-Founders: The New Wave in Biotech
00:40:15 - The Role of Culture in Startup Success
00:42:45 - Insights on Team Building and Leadership in Biotech Startups
00:44:00 - Navigating Regulatory Pathways for Biotech Innovations
00:45:15 - Importance of Networking and Advisory Support in Biotech
00:46:40 - Exploring New Frontiers: Biotech Beyond Medicine
00:47:52 - The Potential of Animal Healthcare in Biotech
00:49:37 - Global Expansion and the Future of Biotech Entrepreneurship
00:50:55 - Addressing Global Challenges Through Biotech Innovations
00:57:03 - Reflections and Future Directions in Biotech Entrepreneurship
Topics Covered: biotech funding, biopharma, venture capital, biology, startup, entrepreneurship, synthetic biology, MIT, Harvard
