Meet Venture Leader Ronja Bruhn and learn more about her strategy for solving challenges

11.09.2020 09:29, Isabelle Mitchell

Venture Leader Life Sciences Ronja Bruhn co-founded STIMIT, a medtech startup that develops a breakthrough in critical care by empowering patients to breathe. Learn more about Ronja’s expectations for the Boston roadshow, how challenging times are important catalysts for innovation, and why it is important to stay hungry.

In November, the Venture Leaders Life Sciences 2020 will embark on their week-long roadshow to accelerate their expansion into the US market and build a business network through meetings with top-notch investors and industry leaders in Boston. To shorten the waiting time, we will introduce you to the members of the Swiss National Startup Team. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose four questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life: 

Name: Ronja Bruhn
Job title: CEO of STIMIT 
Location: Nidau
Nationality: German
Graduated from: Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
Number of employees: 5 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2019, contact via Venture Kick

“STIMIT is the next breakthrough in intensive care: From mechanical ventilation to breathing, STIMIT Therapies empower patients to breathe.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The core idea was born by observing a strong clinical need. STIMIT co-founder Oliver Müller, a professional caregiver in intensive care, experienced the life-threatening complications induced by mechanical ventilation: Patients lose their ability to breathe within days when they must undergo conventional mechanical ventilation processes. The consequences range from long recovery processes to mechanical ventilator dependencies to death. He realized that heart stimulation and muscle stimulation had been established, but nobody stimulates the diaphragm to produce breathing. Solving this need, the STIMIT team and I developed important technological solutions with 11 patents filed to date, and STIMIT’s first medical device is getting ready for a first-in-man study. We are the first company to focus on keeping this important body function intact, empowering natural breathing, and speeding up recovery.
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
The US is a key target market, as intrinsically motivated users (respiratory therapists) and hospital incentives suit STIMIT’s business model: In the US, our business model is going to take off via value-based selling, even without reimbursement in place. We already applied for a DoD grant with a renowned US-based clinic, we are in contact with the FDA, and we are looking for a US-based professional medtech investor to complement our European investment consortium and speed up market entry even more. 

Where and when are you most productive?
After challenging times. When the team is working hard to identify solutions to such challenges, there are moments when solutions suddenly appear, pieces fit together like a puzzle, and a bright and clear picture crystallizes. This moment of truth is often triggered by a good night's sleep or by being in nature. But this never happens out of the blue; hard work is always its predecessor.
 
What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
Persistence. The effects of persistence become evident, when people who watched the endeavor carefully, suddenly become enthusiastic supporters, because they become convinced by results. Persistence comes naturally when you are truly convinced and excited by the purpose of your business.

What is your favorite book?
How could it be different: Ronja Räubertochter [Ronia, the Robber's Daughter] by Astrid Lindgren! I read it more than 10 times throughout my youth, and it showed me how teaming up with others helps you to grow and how personality and strength grow exposing yourself to challenge.

What are you most proud of?
Growing an impactful business while building a family. But I try to stay alert when I feel a sense of pride: The journey has just begun, and we must continue to innovate and achieve the next milestones. Stay hungry and get better every day!


For more information and updates on STIMIT and the Venture Leaders Life Sciences, follow the Venture Leaders Life Sciences 2020 team with #VleadersLifeSciences on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
This year’s Venture Leaders Life Sciences roadshow to Boston is supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Hansjörg Wyss, Kellerhals Carrard, Paul Scherrer Institut, swissnex Boston, University of Zurich, Canton Vaud, YPSOMED, and the Canton of Zurich.