Introducing Samphire Neuroscience
Q: Can you introduce yourself and your startup?
Em: I’m Em and I’m a neuroscientist by training and the co-founder of Samphire with Alex. At Samphire, we focus on developing neurotechnology specifically for women’s health, addressing the often neglected needs within this area.
Alex: I’m Alex. Originally from Australia, I transitioned from a career as a regulatory lawyer to focus on product development and regulatory affairs at Samphire. Our goal is to create solutions that meet the unique health needs of women, leveraging both our backgrounds to make a significant impact.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Em: It really started with a mix of experiences and observations. I was initially working on brain stimulation techniques for treating depression. Through discussions with Alex, we identified a significant gap in how depression is approached, especially when it intersects with women’s health issues, like premenstrual disorders and periods. The standard treatment often dismisses these concerns as mere PMS, ignoring the deeper, more serious aspects of depression in these contexts. My academic background highlighted a critical unmet need, while Alex’s experience in product development saw a viable opportunity to address this through targeted neurotechnology.
Alex: Em’s insights into the unique challenges faced by women with depression during their premenstrual period struck a chord with me. Coming from a regulatory and product development background, I saw the potential for a solution that could not only address these neglected needs but also reach millions of women worldwide. Together, we realized that combining our strengths could lead to the creation of medical devices tailored to these specific health challenges, bringing meaningful innovation to the field of women’s health.
Why HAX?
Q: What motivated you to join HAX?
Em: Our excitement about creating a tangible product was strong, but as non-engineers, we faced a steep learning curve. HAX caught our attention because it offered extensive mentorship in hardware development and supply chain management, which are critical areas we were less familiar with. The accelerator seemed like the perfect opportunity to bridge our knowledge gaps, learn the ropes of early and advanced prototyping, and eventually bring a scalable product to market efficiently. We aimed to leverage HAX’s resources to navigate the complexities of product development with minimal errors.
Alex: I’d just emphasize that stepping into hardware development was more challenging than we initially anticipated. HAX wasn’t just about filling in the gaps in our knowledge; it was about guiding us through the maze of product development, many aspects of which we didn’t even know to ask about at the start. Their support was instrumental in clarifying our path forward, highlighting the invaluable role of mentorship and expert guidance in turning our ideas into reality.
HAX Application Process
Q: Can you briefly describe the application process for HAX?
Em: The application process was quite thorough, involving around four stages of interviews. Initially, we spoke with a program coordinator and a program manager, followed by discussions with multiple partners. There were many interviews, each involving a lot of back-and-forth exchanges where we provided feedback and context about what we were building. It felt like each subsequent meeting posed tougher questions, yet all were highly relevant to our project. The entire process was quite engaging and took about a month from our first conversation to receiving the final decision, which is relatively quick in the investment world. Overall, it was an effective process.
Alex: The process wasn’t as structured as one might expect, given the need to sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. However, the essence of the process went beyond mere selection criteria; it was about relationship building. This included not just navigating the application’s technicalities but also establishing meaningful connections with partners and future colleagues. This dual focus on procedural and relational dynamics was crucial and equally important throughout our application journey with HAX.
Q: What do you believe set your company apart in order to get accepted into HAX?
Em: Our unique idea was definitely a key differentiator. We’re aware of the uniqueness of our concept, especially within the realm we’re addressing. The focus on femtech, or women’s health innovation through technology, particularly through hardware, is relatively rare. While femtech has traditionally been dominated by diagnostics and apps, our approach to developing a therapeutic device stands out. This aligns well with HAX’s strengths and their ability to support investments in innovative hardware solutions.
Moreover, our founding team’s diverse experience significantly contributed to our appeal. My background spans the scientific and public policy domains, with a deep understanding of our target market. Alex, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience in legal matters, commercial team leadership, and product development. This combination of skills and experiences not only made our application strong but also demonstrated our potential to build a knowledgeable and effective team for the future.
Inside HAX Program
Q: How does the HAX program look like?
Alex: The HAX program is customized for each participant, which is one of its greatest strengths. While there are common elements like networking, community engagement, and weekly events that are fantastic, they’re not the core. The essence of HAX lies in the tailored support it provides for specific engineering challenges. Initially, there’s an assessment phase where your technology is evaluated and critiqued, identifying areas for improvement. HAX then matches its resources to address several of these challenges, creating a personalized plan for the rest of the program.
Em: Adding to what Alex said, beyond the engineering focus, access to HAX’s partners has been invaluable. This access has allowed us to develop relationships and trust with a diverse range of experts within HAX. This aspect of the program is crucial, not just for the immediate benefits but also for the long-term relationship. HAX partners witness the founders’ growth from novices to capable business operators, fostering a unique bond that extends beyond the program.
Q: Would you say HAX is more of a product-focused accelerator, or does it also emphasize partnerships and pitching?
Em: Although HAX is decidedly product-focused, the support extends into pitching, advice, and mentorship post-technical program. The nine-month core program is just the beginning of an ongoing relationship, given HAX’s role as both an accelerator and an investor. This dual role ensures a blend of product-focused support during the program and broader business support afterward, addressing challenges as they arise.
Achieving Milestones and Overcoming Challenges
Q: What would you consider a significant milestone achieved during your time in the HAX program?
Alex: For us, a major milestone was achieving initial design locks for our devices, marking a critical point in our engineering process. We managed to create fully functional prototypes that not only worked as intended but also began to resemble the final product. In hardware development, making something that both looks and works correctly is a significant challenge, usually approached in stages. With HAX’s support, we were able to accomplish these milestones separately and then worked towards integrating them. Given the lengthy process of bringing a medical device to market, this achievement was a crucial step forward in our journey.
Em: Additionally, towards the end of the program, we successfully raised another funding round. This was a pivotal moment for us, as it not only validated our progress and the viability of our product but also provided the necessary resources to continue our development and move closer to market readiness.
Q: Did you face any unexpected challenges during the HAX program?
Em: Reflecting on the outset of our journey with HAX, we harbored the misconception that joining the program would magically resolve all our engineering dilemmas. Given HAX’s engineering prowess, it’s understandable why we, or anyone, might think that. Initially, I imagined we could finalize our product in just three months, which highlights our naivety about the complexities involved.
However, a transformative aspect of our experience was how HAX empowered us to adopt an engineering mindset. This shift in thinking, moving away from expecting ready-made solutions to understanding the intricacies of product development, was invaluable. It wasn’t about HAX solving problems for us but rather about them guiding us to think critically and solve these problems ourselves.
Alex: Em’s perspective captures it well. Our time with HAX underscored the importance of the journey in both the accelerator and the broader startup ecosystem. It was a profound learning curve that taught us the value of resilience, critical thinking, and the iterative nature of developing a groundbreaking product.
Samphire Neuroscience’s Current Status and Future Goals
Q: Can you share the current status of Samphire Neuroscience and your plans for the near future?
Em: Currently, we’re at a pivotal moment having just closed our latest fundraising round. This achievement marks the beginning of an exciting phase as we gear up for the launch of our beta version.
Looking ahead, our significant upcoming milestone is the market launch of our regulated medical device in the UK within the next three to four months. The year 2024 is set to be monumental for us as our device will have surpassed all the necessary regulatory hurdles. It’s our official launch year, signaling a critical period of growth and expansion for our startup.
Advice for Prospective HAX Applicants
Q: Do you have any final advice for founders considering applying to HAX?
Em: Go for it! HAX is an exceptional program that I’d highly recommend, particularly to founders who might not have a strong technical background but possess the eagerness to learn. Make sure to fully utilize the resources HAX offers while you’re part of the program. It’s an invaluable opportunity to gain the knowledge and support needed to navigate the complexities of product development.
Alex: One approach that served us well, and I’d urge others to adopt, is maintaining a balance of humility and structured hypotheses. Early on, we recognized our limitations, especially regarding engineering challenges, and acknowledged the critical need for external expertise. This humility was essential. However, it’s equally important to keep a clear vision of your business’s core challenges and potential solutions. You know your business best, so maintaining structured hypotheses about addressing these challenges ensures you remain focused and effective throughout the program.