YC
How I built a $275 million biotech company from nothing
@ Y Combinator
09/30/23
Takeaways
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
I didn't look like the typical biotech or healthcare founder; I'm a woman of color without advanced degrees like an MBA or MD, which made me feel inadequate at times.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
An unexpected health scare motivated me to start my own company, which I eventually sold to Boston Scientific for $275 million.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
After experiencing a health scare in high school, I realized how antiquated women's health care was, which inspired me to start a company focused on women's health.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
I worked as an engineer at Abbott Vascular and a smaller startup, but I felt an urge to start my own company at 24, driven by my past health experiences.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
To validate my concept for a new device in women's health, I reached out to gynecologists, even pretending to have a stomach ache to get an appointment with one.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
When you graduate from college, focus on the personal network you've built and ask for introductions to people in your industry, as this can lead to valuable connections.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
I faced rejection from investors at least 50 times while fundraising, and it was tough to determine if my challenges were due to being a brown woman without a higher degree or simply lacking progress.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
Investors often dismissed women's health as a small market, questioning if 50% of the population was significant enough.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
Despite the bias, I believe there are enough supporters who recognize your potential; ignore the naysayers and focus on finding the right people to work with and fund your company.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
After raising our seed round, we went on to raise about $20 million more in venture capital, taking our device through prototype stages and clinical studies, ultimately achieving FDA clearance.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
I aimed to build my company to deliver a product that could quickly provide answers for women with complex cysts, helping them avoid unnecessary interventions if they weren't cancerous.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
When I received an offer from Boston Scientific to buy my company for $275 million, it was a moment of disbelief after years of struggle and rejection.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
Signing the acquisition deal felt surreal, especially with my family by my side, marking a significant moment in my journey and securing the future of our product in women's health.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
After selling my company, I was invited to be the first healthcare and biotech partner at Y Combinator, where I could share my story and help other founders.
SS
Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
I encourage applicants to Y Combinator to focus on solving real needs, regardless of their academic credentials, as long as they are passionate about their solutions.
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Surbhi Sarna
09/30/23
@ Y Combinator
My experiences have led me to become a group partner at Y Combinator, where I find joy in helping founders overcome challenges to bring their technologies to market.