# 017 - "Feet First" with Ahmed Zobi

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2022-01-26
- Length: 1h 07m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/017---Feet-First-with-Ahmed-Zobi-e1de96j

## Summary

Ahmed Zobi, Founder and CEO of Syntr Health Technologies, explains how he bootstrapped his company from a university project to FDA 510(k) clearance for the SyntrFuge System, a device that automates the microsizing of adipose tissue for body contouring and wound care. Zobi details the strategic decision to target aesthetics and orthopedics first to generate revenue while pursuing diabetic foot ulcer indications, and describes the intense personal sacrifices made during the grant submission process and the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging mentors, conducting customer discovery through the NSF iCorps program, and building a robust quality management system early to navigate regulatory requirements.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=0) Introduction: Ahmed Zobi and Syntr Health Technologies
- [2:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=160) Zobi's Background and the Origin of SyntrFuge
- [5:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=315) SyntrFuse Technology: Combining Lab-on-Chip and Centrifugal Microfluidics
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=660) Regulatory Strategy: 510(k) Clearance and Future Diabetic Ulcer Indications
- [21:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=1279) Mentorship, University Support, and the Grant Submission Process
- [35:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=2116) Bootstrapping, Personal Sacrifice, and Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
- [46:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=2778) Building Quality Management Systems and Regulatory Compliance
- [55:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=3350) Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Team Dynamics
- [1:02:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi#t=3761) Commercialization Plans and Future Outlook for Syntr Health

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Syntr Health Technologies (company)
- SyntrFuge System (product)
- Spirit Corp (company)
- Acelity (company)
- NIH (other)
- NSF (other)
- NSF iCorps (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#381: MedTech Advice from an Accidental Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-09-05-381-medtech-advice-from-an-accidental-entrepreneur) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#336: From Academia to FDA Clearance (True Quality Roadshow - Boston)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-09-14-336-from-academia-to-fda-clearance-true-quality-roadshow-boston) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Sara Naab On Going From Idea to Funding to One of the Bay Area's Most Innovative Life Sciences Co's](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2019-11-07-sara-naab-on-going-from-idea-to-funding-to-one-of-the-bay-areas-most-innovative) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#455: MedTech Founder 101: Shifting from Corporate to Startup with John Schindler](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-04-13-455-medtech-founder-101-shifting-from-corporate-to-startup-with-john-schindler) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [From Startup to Industry Leader: LIVE RECORDING AT SCBIO CONFERENCE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2022-05-04-from-startup-to-industry-leader-live-recording-at-scbio-conference) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-26-017-feet-first-with-ahmed-zobi. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Let's Combinate.