Dominik Lysek: ‘I would not want to miss the Venture Leaders experience’

Dominik Lysek is an entrepreneur, board member, and one of the sponsors of the Venture Leader Medtech 2022 program. He started his entrepreneurial journey in 2010 by founding Credentis— a biotech company that provides dentists with a non-invasive option to regenerate caries lesions. In 2020, Credentis was acquired by vVardis: As vVardis's co-CSO, Dominik and his team now develop technologies to help heal and prevent early tooth decay by mimicking how nature rebuilds the minerals in tooth enamel. To learn from a startup expert and Venture Leaders alumni, we asked Dominik about this career, his thoughts on the Swiss startup ecosystem, and his advice for the Venture Leaders Medtech. 

Dominik, in 2010, you founded Credentis, a startup that revolutionized the treatment of small caries lesions. In 2020, Credentis was sold to Golnar Abivardi and Haleh Abivardi, the entrepreneurs behind Swiss Smile. What are some of the most important lessons you learned as a founder and CEO?
If there is one lesson that I learned, it is that you should have thought about the US market yesterday. When you have a product that has a global impact, no serious player will take a look at you before you have US market access, including approvals and clearances. The second lesson is that you need to think big, create a vision based on that idea, and build it up.

You have been an entrepreneur for almost 15 years. How has the Swiss startup ecosystem changed since 2008?
It has certainly become more professional and diverse. There have always been good ideas, but failure has become more acceptable, enabling entrepreneurs to take the risk.

How would you describe Swiss innovation in 2022?
World-class: There is a support system and encouragement by academia to found startups. In addition, the company’s failures are no longer associated with the personal shortcomings of the founders. 

What have you been up to since Credentis’ exit in 2020?
I am still involved at vVARDIS as co-CSO. On top of that, I am CEO of PharmaTrail, have become a partner of the small oral care venture capital fund Revere Partners, and have founded, together with Michael Hug, a small consulting firm called Let’s Innovate. We provide consulting services for medtech, cosmetic, and general healthcare companies. Our services range from strategic consultancy, including financing support, to advising on more operative issues such as supply chain and clinical development. 

You continue to support Swiss startups: You are one of the sponsors of the Venture Leaders Medtech 2022 program. Why did you get involved with the program?
Simply to give back to what I received and enable others to have the same unique experience I had.

What advice do you have for the participants of the roadshow? 
Enjoy the trip to Boston! It is a fantastic city, and you will meet great people and hopefully form new friendships that will help you develop yourself and your company.

You were part of one of the very first Venture Leaders programs, and you were one of the TOP 100 Swiss Startups from 2011 to 2013. How have these programs supported Credentis and your entrepreneurial career? 
The Venture Leaders 2011 was a very unique experience: The contacts and friendships that originated then are still active, and I would not want to miss the experience for the world. Being among the TOP 100 Startups was less impactful, as we never made it among the top 10. However, our investors looked very favorable at our inclusion in the TOP 100. This cannot be underestimated, as investor relationships (and their happiness with their investment) significantly impact the development of the startup. 

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs in Switzerland?
Keep innovating. And most important of all: Enjoy what you are doing. Being an entrepreneur is a unique opportunity that only a few are lucky to have.



For more information and updates on Bearmind and the Venture Leaders Medtech 2022, follow #VLeadersMedtech on Twitter or on www.venture-leaders.ch/medtech.

The Venture Leaders Medtech program is organized by Venturelab and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Hansjörg Wyss, Helbling Technik, Kellerhals Carrard, Paul Scherrer Institut, Swissnex Boston, Canton of Vaud, Canton of Zurich, and Venture Leader alumnus Dominik Lysek.