Meet NanoFlexRobotics co-founder Matt Curran and find out how he advances interventional stroke treatment

06.08.2021 07:30, Isabelle Mitchell

Matt Curran co-founded NanoFlex Robotics, a Venture Leader Medtech that develops a soft robotic system to insert specially made catheters into the brain of stroke patients to remove blood clots. The NanoFlex technology simplifies and shortens procedures and makes interventional stroke treatment safer. Find out more about Matt’s expectations for the Venture Leaders Medtech experience, and discover why fencing can be way more than a workout.

To boost the innovative power of the Swiss medtech industry, medtech startups now have their own Venture Leaders roadshow to Boston, one of the world’s major life sciences hubs and the ideal springboard for ambitious startups on their way to global expansion. Our profile series features the 10 Venture Leaders Medtech 2021, and we will introduce you to the inaugural graduates of the program. To learn more about the startups, we asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Matt Curran
Location: Zurich
Nationality: UK
Graduated from: University of Edinburgh
Your job title: Co-founder and CEO of NanoFlex Robotics
Number of employees: 7
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2020, when I signed up for the Venturelab Newsletter. 

“NanoFlex Robotics develops medical robotic systems for the treatment of stroke.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The technology has been in development at ETH Zurich for almost 20 years. The plan to form NanoFlex came about last year, adding medical device commercial experience to the robotic engineering team.  

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders program, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
The Venture Leaders program will raise the profile of NanoFlex within Switzerland and the US. The interaction with industry experts will support us in refining our plans, make sure we are going in the right direction, and hopefully help us find strong financial partners for our business. 

What is your favorite movie or show?
Good Will Hunting by Gus Van Sant—talent is nothing without support and application.

What advice would you give your teenage self?
Work harder in language class! I could never have imagined growing up in the North of England that I would have lived in Asia and now, for the last 14 years in Switzerland, surrounded by people able to communicate so well in so many languages.

What is one thing not many people know about you?
I took up fencing as an undergrad student to impress a girl—which worked: We’ve been together ever since.

What is something you wish you had known before founding a business?
It takes much longer to create a spin-out company than I would have thought possible.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.” — My first manager

What is your greatest professional failure, and what did you learn from it?
As a young sales rep, I used to get stressed about not closing sales. The stress came across to customers, making me even less successful. I decided to leave the job, and with that, the stress of closing deals left. I had my most successful time in sales after that! In sales, it doesn’t matter if you’re stressed or had a bad day—that’s not the customer’s interest or fault. You have to always focus on the customer and not on you to close a deal.

Last but not least, could you show us your workspace?
 


For more information and updates on NanoFlex Robotics and the Venture Leaders Medtech, follow the Venture Leaders Medtech 2021 team with #VleadersMedtech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
Venture Leaders Medtech 2021 is organized by Venturelab and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Hansjörg Wyss, Kellerhals Carrard, Paul Scherrer Institut, Swissnex Boston, University Zurich, Canton of Vaud, and Canton of Zurich.