The Founder’s Formula: Michalis Papadakis

After more than a decade building a company at the intersection of science, medicine and technology, Papadakis’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs comes back to one principle: purpose. “Be clear on why you are doing what you are doing,” he says. For Papadakis, that clarity of mission is what allows founders to navigate the uncertainty and challenges of entrepreneurship. “Technology is not the end product. It is a tool to solve a real clinical problem.” But purpose must be matched with the ability to evolve. Building a lasting company requires conviction in the problem being solved, while remaining open to changing how that solution is delivered. “Be very clear on your vision, on your roadmap and on your pathway, but also listen, learn and adapt,” he says.