In this episode of MedTech Pioneers, host Lisa Carmel welcomes Maria Artunduaga, MD, MPH, MTM, a physician, scientist, inventor, and MedTech Innovator grand prize winner, who has made significant strides in respiratory healthcare. Maria discusses her journey from Colombia to becoming a founder and CEO of Samay, a startup focused on non-invasive, affordable pulmonary function testing. She shares insights into the innovative technology behind Samay's device, the hurdles in COPD treatment, and her experiences in the MedTech Innovator accelerator. Maria also touches on the challenges of funding, the importance of mentorship, and offers valuable advice for startup founders in the medtech space.
0:00 Welcome to MedTech Pioneers
00:20 Meet Maria Artanduaga: Physician, Scientist, and Inventor
02:05 Maria's Journey to Founding Samay
03:45 Innovative Pulmonary Function Testing
06:02 Challenges and Market Insights for COPD
10:55 Overcoming Startup Challenges
14:50 The Role of Technology and Teamwork
17:57 Pivots and Perseverance in MedTech
21:37 Surprising Learnings and Community Support
24:17 Challenges in Securing Grants
26:38 Joining MedTech Innovator
28:35 Experience with MedTech Innovator
32:42 Winning the Grand Prize
38:30 Future Plans and Fundraising
42:10 Advice for Startup Founders