Bertin Nahum on Scaling Surgical Robotics for Cancer Care
In this episode, Bertin Nahum, President and co-founder of Quantum Surgical, shares his journey from early medical robotics to building Epione, a surgical robot designed to transform cancer treatment. With a background that spans pioneering medtech start-ups and multiple successful exits, Nahum represents the new wave of industrial entrepreneurs tackling global health challenges.
Key Takeaways:
From Engineering to Medtech Leadership: Trained as an engineer at INSA Lyon, Nahum’s career took a decisive turn when he discovered the potential of technology in healthcare. His early exposure to hospital environments convinced him to dedicate his life to medical innovation.
Serial Entrepreneurial Success: After founding and selling Medtech, creator of the Rosa surgical robot, Nahum launched Quantum Surgical in Montpellier. His ventures highlight the ability of European medtech start-ups to compete globally, even against U.S. giants.
Innovation as Usage, Not Just Technology: For Nahum, the true breakthrough in robotics lies not in hardware or AI alone, but in how these technologies are integrated into medical practice to democratize complex procedures and expand patient access.
Financing and Public Markets: Having led both venture-backed growth and an IPO, Nahum shares lessons on navigating financing challenges in hardware start-ups, underscoring the importance of inventive funding strategies and careful shareholder alignment.
Building an Ecosystem: Beyond company building, Nahum helped establish Montpellier as a hub for surgical robotics, creating hundreds of jobs and fostering a Med Valley in France. His commitment shows how entrepreneurial ventures can reshape regional industrial landscapes.
Conclusion:
Bertin Nahum’s story illustrates how perseverance, vision, and purposeful leadership can drive disruptive medical innovations from local labs to global markets. Quantum Surgical’s mission—to make cutting-edge cancer treatment accessible worldwide—underscores the societal impact of industrial entrepreneurship.
Ready to explore how industrial innovation can scale globally? Join the conversation with OSS Ventures and discover the future of Industry 4.0.
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