“This project is unique in Germany!” An exciting message – and one among many – that the MedTech Startup School got to share with the press on Lean Monday #6. High-ranking representatives from the University Hospital Tübingen joined Christoph, Lukas, Nils and the projects’ doctors in presenting the project to journalists. Read Lukas thoughts on this milestone!
Meeting the Press
In some respect, every Lean Monday is a milestone, because each time we can add one more piece to the puzzle and therefore complete the picture of our products´ way to the market.
This Monday, however, was special. Having returned from my holidays I saw the MedTech Startup School with fresh eyes and recognized how impressively far the organization and many projects have progressed. A great thing, too, because on this Lean Monday, we had some special guests:
Since September 1st marks the start of our funding through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) we were able to arrange a press meeting with representatives of the university hospital and the university. Dr. Rolf Hecker, Head of the Universities Technology Transfer Office, Prof. Ulf Ziemann, one of the Medical Directors of the Department of Neurology and Prof. Michael Bamberg, the Hospitals Chief Medical Director covered the range, function and motivation behind the Startup School. All speakers pointed out how unique and promising our project is.
The highlights were the project presentations. They were introduced by the lead physicians. I was really impressed how their presentation skills had improved in the last weeks, and how their ideas and passion shone through so clearly. Already at the same day the first press feedback was online. And the next day we found further articles in the regional newspapers and a radio contribution.
Personally, I have learned a lot on this Lean Monday. First and foremost, I became even more aware how important a clear communication towards the press is. We had to clear up some confusing statements concerning the terminology ´incubator` and `accelerator´, because at the moment we are in face a hybrid of an ´accelerator´ and a ´company-builder`. And I have the impression that it is still a little bit unclear, that the Medtech Startup School is a joint project of the University, the Hospital and the Medical Innovations Incubator. So while we have improved in many areas we have to hone our communications skills even more.
Most importantly, though, I felt how the tension curve is rising even faster now for all participants. Getting to present their projects in front of journalists and through them to the public, signified a milestone for the participants. So somehow this press conference gave everyone a shot in the arm to really start gunning for “Demo Day” on October, 12th. I feel that everything is possible!