This week we chatted with Cheri Ackerman, PhD, Cofounder & CEO of Concerto Biosciences. During her postdoctoral work at MIT, she developed the groundbreaking kChip technology that led to the formation of Concerto Biosciences. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of building a company during the pandemic and the importance of learning the business side of biotech as a scientific founder. As always, we trumpet the value of building a network to leverage during the growth process. Cheri gives really great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, which is to keep learning and embrace asking questions when you don’t know something. I also loved her views on adapting and experimenting in business, which is one of the key values at Concerto. 

00:00 Introduction and Early Career Aspirations

00:09 Journey to Becoming a CEO

01:12 Founding Concerto Biosciences

02:31 Understanding the Microbiome

04:56 Concerto's Innovative Approach

07:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Building a Company

08:58 Navigating the Funding Climate

13:00 Building a Strong Team

21:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

29:34 Future Goals and Aspirations

31:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

• Get Cheri's recommended books! Measure What Matters
• The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup (The Kauffman Foundation Series on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13)
• No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't
• Who
• Learn more about Concerto Biosciences
• Link In with Cheri!

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