# #005 - The tough journey of building a biotech company, with Federico Bürsgens of GNA-Biosolutions, Germany

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2016-12-21
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/005.mp3

## Summary

Federico Bürsgens, Managing Director of Finances, Hardware & Software at GNA-Biosolutions, explains the journey of spinning out a biotech company from the University of Munich to develop ultrafast DNA analysis technology. He details the progression from federal grants and seed funding to a €6 million Series B led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital, highlighting the challenges of validating immature technology for the heavily regulated biomedical market. Bürsgens discusses the strategic decision to hire an external CEO for industry expertise and the choice to outsource manufacturing to manage regulatory burdens while focusing on core R&D.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=1) Introduction and Company Origins
- [2:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=166) From Academic Spinoff to Commercialization
- [8:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=504) Technology Value and Market Applications
- [11:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=671) Funding Journey and Investor Dynamics
- [23:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=1383) Team Building and Hiring an External CEO
- [28:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=1734) Manufacturing Strategy and Regulatory Challenges
- [31:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-21-005-the-tough-journey-of-building-a-biotech-company-with-federico-bursgens-of-gn#t=1890) Founder Advice and Cultural Lessons

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- GNA-Biosolutions (company)
- University of Munich (company)
- Robert Bosch Venture Capital (company)
- Kayogene (company)
- Thinking Fast and Slow (other)

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## Citing this page

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