“Try not to be a sociopath” – Robert Hayes, PhD

A morsel of advice unanimously agreed upon by the panel of experts at the Spring Genome Startup Day event, good communication and empathy go a long way in startup environments. However, it takes more than a good attitude to flourish in this diverse and expanding industry. During our Spring Meetup, we assembled a panel of speakers to discuss how to succeed in a startup, to explore the range of startup career paths, and to provide advice on making the jump from academia to industry. 

The Bridge to Success

Initiating the fireside chat, CEO of Phase Genomics, Ivan Liachko, PhD, along with founder and CTO of Pacific Biosciences, Stephen Turner, PhD, also emphasized the importance of passion in the startup workforce. 

“Startups succeed because of the passion of the employees.” – Stephen Turner, PhD

However, Turner noted that startups must have more than ambition, and work tactically to “build the bridge” between their product and their consumer base. This notion was echoed in our panelist discussion. Lena Shaw, director of marketing at Navigating Cancer, cautioned against being caught in the “overanalysis paralysis” of technological development, and instead, focusing on improving client outcomes, which drive startups towards success. 

Foundation & Integration

Many entering startup companies look for positions outside of being a founder or CEO. During the event, fireside speakers and panelists had a lot to say about the wide range of roles in startup communities and how to prepare for them. While each role may vary depending on the company and its needs, there are universal traits that will facilitate better integration into startup working environments.

A common theme discussed was the importance of versatility. Gabriella Kiss, PhD shared her experience with the transition from working in a very specialized position as a doctoral student to the multiple roles she undertook when moving to a startup company. Moreover, just as important as versatility, is communicability. Being responsive and working well in close-knit environments is essential to performing well in these companies. Panelists described their work life as akin to family life, needing to collaborate to overcome differences and disagreements. 

Starting during a Pandemic

Despite the complications the COVID-19 pandemic imposed on the world, our speakers remarked that biotech startups are actually growing! Dr. Kiss noted that working with teams around the world became more economic and ecological as many adapted to online conferences instead of flying for meetings that could otherwise be done virtually. Furthermore, several panelists mentioned the growth they have experienced in their companies over the past year. Concluding the meetup, they were adamant about encouraging viewers to seek startup employment opportunities, assuring that startups are always looking for the right candidate to hire. 

View the event recording below for the full conversation and more insights into the world of biotech startups. 

Stay up to date with Genome Startup Day on Twitter and LinkedIn or watch previous events on the Genome Startup Day website.

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