In this episode, Duane Mancini speaks with vascular neurologist Anit Behera about what it takes to improve stroke care from the ER through long-term recovery. Anit shares his path through an MD-PhD in outcomes research, how consulting and clinical trials shaped his innovation mindset, and why stroke care advancement spans four phases: prevention, acute treatment, post-acute care, and rehabilitation. He explains where he sees major opportunity next, pointing to emerging devices and research in post-stroke rehab alongside stronger prevention strategies and better health literacy. The conversation also breaks down how clinicians evaluate new technologies, emphasizing rigorous data, patient safety, and real-world workflow fit, plus the role of key opinion leaders and conferences in driving adoption.

• Anit Behera LinkedIn

• Duane Mancini LinkedIn

• Project Medtech Website

• Project Medtech LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors: Ward Law and JumpStart Inc.

In this episode, Jake Ward joins Duane Mancini to break down how startups should think about intellectual property from day one and why smart IP decisions directly impact fundability. Jake shares how Ward Law grew from a three-person boutique to a 35-person, multi-state virtual firm, and why their Midwest roots help deliver high-quality IP services at accessible rates for entrepreneurs. The conversation dives into where to start with patents, then shifts to trademarks and brand strategy and why selecting the right mark early, staying consistent, and timing registration can prevent costly rebrands later. They also tackle AI in legal work, exploring confidentiality concerns, “don’t trust the robot” pitfalls, and how to use AI as a tool without letting it undermine strategy or enforceability.

• Jake Ward LinkedIn

• Ward Law Website

• Duane Mancini LinkedIn

• Project Medtech Website

• Project Medtech LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors: Ward Law and JumpStart Inc.

In this episode, Jenny Lynn—founder of milkmade and a mom-turned-entrepreneur—shares how a frightening breastfeeding experience, including an undiagnosed tongue tie and the exhausting “weighted feed” routine, sparked the idea for a Smart Nipple Shield that can deliver continuous, actionable insight into infant milk intake. The conversation explores why breastfeeding—despite being the clinical “gold standard”—so often breaks down early, driven by perceived and actual low milk supply, fragmented care, and limited access to lactation support, especially in rural communities. Jenny Lynn also unpacks her path from marketing and health tech into regulated medtech, including patents, pursuing clinical validation, and navigating a Class II De Novo pathway with no predicate.

• Jenny Lynn Walding LinkedIn

• milkmade Website

• “Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez

• “She Persisted” by Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger

• Duane Mancini LinkedIn

• Project Medtech Website

• Project Medtech LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors: Ward Law and JumpStart Inc.