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The MedTech World Middle East conference in Dubai featured a panel on Day 2 called “The Startup Struggle: What It Really Takes to Build in MedTech.” Entrepreneurs and industry leaders discussed the real challenges of building MedTech startups, including the risks, key decisions, and teamwork needed to bring new ideas to market.
Sadiqa Siddique, Founder and COO of Intelligent Solutions Discovery and a leader in Saudi Arabia’s clinical trials sector, led the session. She was joined by Dr. Viviana Mucci, CEO of BREA and Wellness Innovation Manager at Saudi German Hospital, and Andrew Glass, CEO of Vivasure Medical.
The panel also included Yan Lin Lye from IDE Group, Joanna Nathan, Co-Founder and CEO of Prana Surgical, and Steve Gardner, Managing Director at Healthcare World. They discussed the current state of healthcare innovation and commercialisation in the region.
The panellists discussed their experiences navigating the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the MedTech sector, with a particular focus on the early stages of development. Dr. Viviana Mucci reflected on the difficulties of transitioning innovative technologies from the lab to the clinic. She described the pressure of launching new medical devices and the sleepless nights that come with it. “For anyone in the life sciences, especially in clinical-stage companies, the risks during those first clinical trials are daunting,” said Mucci, pointing out how unpredictable biological factors can be.
Andrew Glass, who led Vivasure Medical through important trials and late-stage fundraising, talked about the difficulties of getting funding. He noted that medical devices often have a harder time attracting investment than newer health-tech products. “When we joined the company, we had no money and were facing critical regulatory hurdles, but with determination and strategic partnerships, we pulled through,” Glass said.
Yan Lin Lye, who has a strong background in business development, highlighted the importance of teamwork and mentors in MedTech. She spoke about a critical point when a startup’s founding team can start to break apart. “It’s essential to keep everyone aligned and working towards a shared vision, or the whole venture risks falling apart,” Lye said.
The panel also focused on how to balance innovation with patient safety. Joanna Nathan, CEO of Prana Surgical, talked about the challenges of surgical innovation, especially in cancer care. “In healthcare, the mantra ‘move fast and break things’ simply does not apply. You have to ask yourself, would I trust this technology on a loved one?” Nathan stressed how important patient safety is, especially in surgery.
The panel discussed the challenges of dealing with regulations and entering new markets. Steve Gardner talked about the difficulties of working with different healthcare systems and regulators, and stressed the need to understand local markets. He said, “The real challenge is not just meeting compliance standards, but integrating a new solution into the healthcare ecosystem, which often involves working with government agencies, payers, and clinicians.”
Dr. Mucci also spoke about the increasing role of AI and digital health in MedTech. She said that building trust with regulators, clinicians, and patients is key for new technologies to be accepted. “AI-driven innovations are the future, but building trust between all stakeholders is still a work in progress,” she explained.
At the end of the panel, each speaker shared advice for new entrepreneurs. Andrew Glass encouraged startups to solve real problems by watching healthcare professionals at work. Joanna Nathan reminded entrepreneurs to make sure their passion matches the long-term effort needed in this field: “Are you ready to spend the next decade solving this problem?”
Steve Gardner reminded the audience of the importance of relationships in the MedTech world. “Building a successful MedTech company is not just about the technology. It’s about the people, the partners, and the networks you create,” he said.
The MedTech World Middle East conference in Dubai continues to be a key platform for sharing knowledge and fostering connections within the MedTech ecosystem. As the industry faces numerous challenges and opportunities, events like this help to guide and inspire the next wave of innovators and entrepreneurs.
That concludes the MedTech World Middle East conference. The next event in the MedTech World roadshow will be in Florida, USA, from May 11 to 13, 2026. Register now to join this global event shaping the future of healthcare innovation.
