How to go from Underrated to Unbeatable with Surbhi Sarna, Author of Without a Doubt - Ep. 199

FemTech Focus

In this episode, Dr Brittany Barreto talks to Surbhi Sarna, Author of Without A Doubt and Partner at Y Combinator. They discuss Surbhi’s company, which exited in 2018 for $275 million, advice for networking and pitching investors, plus how to recognise burnout and what to do about it. Enjoy the episode!

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Guest bio

Surbhi Sarna is the healthcare partner at Y Combinator, and is the founder and former CEO of nVision Medical, which sold to Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) for $275M. nVision developed a first-in-kind microcatheter for the detection of ovarian cancer. After raising $17M in venture funding, completing three clinical trials, and obtaining two first-in-class FDA approvals, nVision was acquired by Boston Scientific for more than 15X money-in. Surbhi then stayed at Boston Scientific for two years, running the 150+ person commercial organization in preparation for launch. She is now Y-Combinator's only and first partner focused exclusively on healthtech, medical devices, and therapeutics and sits on both private and public company boards.

Company bio

In Without a Doubt, Sarna gives us an inside look at her entrepreneurial journey and shows how she proved her naysayers and doubters wrong using the very qualities that had made her feel different her whole life. Instead, she leveraged these qualities to help her surpass the expectations of others and achieve her dream. In her book, she shares the practical skills and tools that are needed to face setbacks, not let impossible standards get in the way, lead empathetically, empower others to think differently, and how to convince the right people to help you accomplish your goal.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast with Dr. Brittany Barreto is a meaningfully provocative conversational series that brings FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[04:48] Background to the book.

[07:32] What is the book about?

[08:29] Teenage cancer scare

[11:33] Advancement in ovarian cyst research or solutions.

[12:17] Why is it always birth control?

[15:05] Networking advice

[16:45] Making connections.

[17:41] Be excited about your business!

[22:20] Advice to founders who are being laughed at.

[27:45] What do you think of the word femtech?

[28:40] Using words to make people comfortable.

[30:20] Know your pitch and read the room.

[32:58] Handling insecurities about pivoting.

[36:49] Burnout.

[43:08] What Surbhi is up to now.

Resources

Without A Doubt: How to Go from Underrated to Unbeatable

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Episode Contributors

Surbhi Sarna

LinkedIn: @Surbhi Sarna

Twitter: @SurbhiSarnaSF

Y Combinator

Website: https://www.ycombinator.com/

LinkedIn: @Y Combinator

Twitter: @ycombinator

Instagram: @ycombinator

Facebook: @Y Combinator

Youtube: @ycombinator

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanybarreto/

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights