Duane Mancini, Founder and CEO of Project Medtech, a Cleveland-based platform helping medical technology companies move from promising invention to real patient impact.

What began as a podcast has evolved into a broader ecosystem of consulting, events, education, investor connectivity, and community-building for Medtech founders navigating the difficult path from idea to market.

In our conversation, Duane and I explore his path from science and research into entrepreneurship, how Project Medtech grew from a curiosity-driven podcast into a larger platform, and what founders often underestimate about building in Medtech. We talk about regulatory strategy, reimbursement, clinical validation, fundraising, the importance of team over product, and why Ohio may have a unique opportunity to become a more important node in healthcare innovation.

Duane is thoughtful, mission-driven, and deeply committed to helping more life-changing technologies reach patients. Please enjoy my conversation with Duane Mancini.

00:00 Building Trust Through Storytelling
07:53 The Evolution of Project MedTech
12:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
20:37 The Founding Team Dynamics
23:43 Lessons from 250+ Conversations
28:58 De-risking in Life Sciences
33:38 Navigating Capital in Life Sciences
38:35 Redesigning the Market Entry Process
41:24 Understanding Economic Impact in Healthcare
44:18 Measuring Impact and Success
48:11 Optimism in Life Sciences and Med Tech
50:46 Opportunities for Ohio's Life Sciences
54:44 Building Supportive Ecosystems
59:23 Outro
-----

LINKS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanemancini
https://www.projectmedtech.com/

-----

SPONSOR:
Cerity Partners
Cerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.

Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.

Roundstone Insurance
Roundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost.

Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.

Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/

-----

Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa

Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/

Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland

https://www.jeffreys.page/