Ruthless Prioritization and How it Can Help Every Medtech Startup

A few years ago, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking with serial medtech entrepreneur Paul Buckman, who at the time, was CEO of Conventus Orthopedics.

Prior to Conventus, Paul held CEO roles at SentreHEART, Pathway Medical Technologies (which sold to Bayer HealthCare), and Devax (which sold to Biosensors International). From 2004 through 2006, Buckman served as President of the Cardiology Division of St. Jude Medical.

Before joining St. Jude, he served as Chairman and CEO of ev3, a company that Buckman co-founded and was later acquired by Covidien for $2.5 billion dollars in 2010.

Paul has worked in the medical device industry for over 35 years, including 10 years at Scimed Life Systems and Boston Scientific, where he held several executive positions before becoming President of the Cardiology Division at Boston Scientific in January of 2000. Buckman received a BA degree in business administration and an MBA degree from Western Michigan University.

Interview Highlights with Paul Buckman

• Of all the medtech startups that Paul’s been a part of, the two that are closest to his heart.

• Two of the many key learnings that Paul recalls during his time helping to build Scimed.

• When it comes to product development for medical device startups, why it’s critical to be ruthless about prioritization.

• Paul’s rationale for making the leap from president of Boston Scientific’s cardiology business to starting ev3 in the early 2000’s.

• Paul’s approach to turning around medtech startups that have hit a wall.

• Paul’s advice for raising capital for medical device startups.

• Paul’s favorite business book, the CEO he most admires, and the advice he’d give to his 30-year-old self.