Building inregulated industriesaddsamassive hurdle to thealready challengingjourney of building a startup. And this week on Build Mode, Startup Battlefield editor Isabelle Johannessen spoke to two founderswho are working to makeprogressin industriesripe for disruption,despite the regulatory headaches that mighthavedeterredmany other people.
In this episode,we’retalking about life and death and how regulatory clearancedoesn’thave to be a damper oninnovationbut it willelongatetimelines and require careful planning from the jump.
Isabelle is first joined by Gabriel Sanchez, the CEO and co-founder ofEnspectraHealth.The company hasbuilt a device that aims to do away with the need for dermatologist skin biopsies. Sanchez breaks down his decade-long journey toreceivingFDA clearance. Throughout the interview, Sanchez offerstactical advice to anyonein the midst ofa long regulatory process and explains howhe’skept his company afloat and his team motivated despite the uncertainties.
Next, Isabelle speaks with Tom Harries, the co-founder ofEarth Funeral,anend-of-lifestartup that has developed a new process that transforms human remains into soil. Harriesdidn’thave to lead his team through along FDAapproval process(because the FDA is primarily concerned with the living), buthis company has faced itsown legislative challenges. Earth Funeral launchedat a time when its alternative process was only legal in one state. And though its path to expansiondoesn’thinge on accreditation or approval from a government agency, it does depend on legislative bodies and voters who may be discomforted by a new way to lay a loved one to rest.
New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday.Subscribe to the podcastor watch onYouTube. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
Isabelle leads Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s iconic launchpad and competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups.
You can contact or verify outreach from Isabelle by emailing [email protected].
She scouts top founders across 99+ countries and prepares them to pitch on the Disrupt stage in front of tier-one investors and global media. Before TechCrunch, she designed and led international startup acceleration programs across Japan, Korea, Italy, and Spain—connecting global founders with VCs and helping them successfully enter the U.S. market. With a Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Disruptive Innovation—and a past life as a professional singer—she brings a blend of strategic rigor and stage presence to help founders craft compelling stories and stand out in crowded markets.
Maggie Nye is a Podcast Producer for TechCrunch based in Denver, Colorado. Previously, she worked as the Brand and Content Manager for BUILT BY GIRLS where she developed an interest in tech and a passion for creating equitable and welcoming professional tech spaces. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in English from Hofstra University in New York.
You can contact or verify outreach from Maggie by emailing [email protected].