#15 Mark Kotter on reprogramming cells and evolving organisations

Mark is CEO & Founder of bit.bio, a UK-based startup on the path to creating every human cell type at scale, and Co-Founder of Meatable, a NL-based startup creating cell-based meat. For Mark it’s both an “insane opportunity” as well as “a privilege” to work on both these human and planetary health challenges. 

We talk about Mark’s journey from neurosurgeon to stem cell researcher and his conviction to stick with his research although he nearly ran out of money and credibility with no one believing their initial data. With a huge opportunity at his hands and neither his TTO interested nor a founder to be found, he got stuck with starting the company himself and getting his research out of the lab. His biggest learnings to date revolve around the people involved in and around the startup and how to design an organisation that fits the goals and current phase of the journey.