In this episode of the Notable Men Podcast, Laura Ezzell sits down with entrepreneur, MedTech strategist, and investor Duane Mancini, Founder and CEO of Project MedTech and Managing Partner at PM Ventures.
With more than 15 years of experience helping medical technology startups navigate product development, regulatory strategy, clinical trials, reimbursement, and commercialization, Duane has become a trusted advisor to founders building innovations that improve—and often save—lives. Through Project MedTech, he works alongside entrepreneurs to help them make smarter decisions early, understanding how today's choices shape tomorrow's success.
In this conversation, Duane shares why successful leadership is built on trust, humility, and long-term thinking rather than quick wins. He explains what founders often misunderstand about growing companies, why culture can be a startup's greatest competitive advantage, and how leaders can balance ambition with empathy while navigating constant uncertainty.
In this conversation, Duane shares:
- Why trust is every leader's most valuable asset
- The role humility plays in building strong organizations
- Why transparency strengthens relationships with investors
- The biggest mistakes MedTech founders make early
- Why building the right team matters more than having the best idea
- How great cultures are intentionally built—and easily lost
- The leadership lessons endurance sports taught him about entrepreneurship
- Why meaningful innovation requires patience and persistence
- How AI is changing healthcare without replacing human judgment
- The future of personalized medicine and diagnostics
- Why entrepreneurs must embrace being wrong
- What it means to lead with humanity in high-pressure environments
Whether you're building a startup, leading a growing organization, or navigating your own entrepreneurial journey, Duane offers practical leadership lessons grounded in experience, resilience, and a commitment to creating lasting impact.
