The Legacy Code with Teresa

Legacy Lounge hosts Teresa and host in residence Dan speak with Brian Sohmers, a veteran enterprise-software founder and product leader, about building products that become essential infrastructure, validating startup ideas, and assembling effective teams. Drawing on Propel Software, life-sciences technology, and more than a dozen visits to Burning Man, Brian offers practical guidance on customer evidence, fundraising signals, hiring, founder resilience, and AI.Continue the conversation with Teresa Ge, founder of Succedia Ventures and creator of Legacy Lounge.→ Follow Teresa on LinkedIn for investment insights and founder perspectives.→ Explore Legacy Lounge for curated in-person gatherings.Building or backing healthcare AI or healthspan innovation? Message me on LinkedIn with “LEGACY” and a brief introduction.Follow Legacy Code for more conversations about building what lasts.keywordsstartup product strategy, enterprise software, product-market fit, life sciences technology, startup fundraising, early adopters, founder burnout, AI agents, Burning Man key topicsBrian Sohmers introduces his experience founding Propel Software, working on food-waste solutions including Ripefinder, and leading quality-focused product work at Veeva Systems.In regulated life sciences, quality management is a must-have: companies need credible quality programs to satisfy FDA or customer audits and protect patients.Brian recommends proving an early company hypothesis with customers, realistic milestones, adequate time and funding, and a capable team with clear roles.He describes how customer discovery revealed a larger opportunity in executive compensation governance, and how Propel’s quality management system business complemented its product lifecycle management offering.For early enterprise-software validation, paid early adopters matter: customer spending, implementation effort, and staff time provide evidence of genuine commitment.Brian explains the Veeva “two in the box” approach: product managers bring deep product knowledge and market familiarity, while product strategists bring deep market knowledge and product familiarity.Early hiring should fill real capability gaps, including technical expertise, UX, and professional services; founders should remain frugal and willing to take on work themselves.Brian advises founders to pursue work they love, manage workload to avoid burnout, and support their wellbeing through regular exercise.He sees AI, large language models, and agents as major opportunities to embed into workflows and customer products, while taking an optimistic view of their future.Chapters00:00 Meet Brian Sohmers: Burning Man and enterprise software02:04 From food-waste technology to life-sciences quality03:44 Why quality management is essential in life sciences06:33 Prove the startup hypothesis with customers and a strong team09:13 Choose aligned customers and resist the wrong custom work11:10 Unexpected product opportunities and incremental pivots15:11 What investors can learn from paying early adopters18:22 Complementary expertise, early hires, and team gaps21:46 Frugal hiring and founders who wear multiple hats23:18 Founder advice: ambition, balance, and avoiding burnout25:04 AI agents and the opportunities ahead

How do you tell the difference between an impossible idea and one the world simply isn’t ready for yet? Inventor and Deep Future founder Pablos Holman joins The Legacy Code to explore breakthrough technology, invention, deep-tech investing, founder conviction, and what it takes to turn ambitious science into something the real world can use.Pablos’ career spans early cryptocurrency, AI for financial markets, Blue Origin, and Intellectual Ventures Lab, where his team was awarded thousands of patents; his TED talks have reached more than 30 million views. The Legacy Code is part of the ecosystem I’m building around Succedia Ventures—connecting scientists, founders, operators, investors, and long-term capital around consequential innovation.Join upcoming Legacy Lounge conversations and private community experiences:Follow Teresa Ge on LinkedIn for Succedia Ventures investment thinking, founder conversations, and the people shaping the next generation of healthspan and technology. Key TopicsDeep tech investment thesisIdentifying and supporting mad scientistsBalancing science and commercializationTeam composition and founder traitsRisk management in early-stage investingFuture-oriented technology evaluationLP engagement and fund structureChapters00:00 Introduction to Teresa and her investment focus05:50 Differentiating mad scientists from traditional researchers07:53 Balancing scientific ambition with commercialization10:09 The importance of coachability and team building12:12 How scientists can craft compelling narratives for investors13:53 Advice for founders approaching early-stage investors15:47 What makes a founder or fund manager promising17:55 Managing risk and making more bets in venture investing19:59 Evaluating future impact and technology timelines21:46 The role of systemic innovation and long-term vision24:10 Building a diversified portfolio of high-risk, high-reward startups26:10 Case study: Investing in nuclear reactors and regulatory hurdles28:05 The importance of timing and regulatory environment30:01 Engaging LPs and building trust with investors31:56 Matching LP interests with innovative technology investments34:05 The evolution of venture fund structures and standardization35:58 Advice for new fund managers and LPs in venture capital37:54 Aligning business success with technological and societal impact40:05 Teresa's current fund focus on health and infrastructure42:12 Future plans for community engagement and showcasing portfolio companies* Succedia Ventures content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to purchase any security.

Steve Duddy went from J&J sales floors to CEO of multiple MedTech companies. He shares the leadership code that took 30 years to write.In this insightful interview, Steve Duddy shares his extensive experience in the med device industry, leadership, startup growth, and strategic decision-making. Discover practical advice on team building, navigating challenges, and fostering innovation in a competitive landscape.Guest: Steve Duddy — Founder & CEO, Duddy Executive Services | Former President & CEO, Corinth MedTech | Former CEO, NuvoLase | Director of Global Marketing, Cutera | Johnson & Johnson Ethicon | 3MConnect with Steve:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 WebsiteAbout The Legacy Code:Every leader carries a code — lessons learned the hard way, decisions they wish someone had warned them about, moves that changed everything. The Legacy Code is where those conversations happen. Hosted by Teresa Ge, founder of Succedia Ventures and the Legacy Lounge community in San Francisco.Follow the podcast: [Spotify link] | [Apple Podcasts link]Join the Legacy Lounge Connect with Teresa GeChapters00:00 Choosing a Career Path in the Medical Industry00:53 Lessons from COVID-19 and Industry Challenges02:29 The Crew Team Analogy for Leadership05:32 Assessing Team Strengths and Weaknesses05:43 Hiring for Startup Environments08:43 Setting Goals and Exit Strategies11:03 Revenue Goals and Funding Strategies12:26 Avoiding Common Leadership Pitfalls15:39 Growing Companies in the AI Era23:44 The Importance of Fast Moves in Business25:31 Mentorship and Sharing Experience30:05 Building Community and Knowledge SharingWhat does it actually take to build companies that last in the medical device world?Steve Duddy has been on every side of that question. He started selling pharmaceuticals in New York City, cut his teeth at Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon division and 3M, and went on to serve as President and CEO of multiple MedTech startups — managing P&Ls exceeding $250M, guiding companies through FDA clearance, global commercialization, M&A, and capital raises. Most recently he led Corinth MedTech in commercializing the Veloxion System — the world's first single-use resectoscope — targeting a $2 billion global market.Today, through Duddy Executive Services, Steve advises the next generation of MedTech and HealthTech founders and C-suite executives who are scaling fast and need someone who has genuinely been in the room.In this episode of The Legacy Code, Steve shares the unfiltered leadership lessons that 30 years of wins and near-misses have taught him — including the story of a $28M IP lawsuit that a single decision could have prevented, why the hire that looks perfect on paper will freeze when things get hard, and the one mindset shift that separates leaders who build lasting companies from those who plateau.This is the conversation happening in the rooms where the real decisions get made.🎙️ The Legacy Code is hosted by Teresa Ge — founder, investor, and builder of the Legacy Lounge community in San Francisco. Every episode brings in operators, founders, and executives who share the code they carry — so you don't have to figure it out alone.

In this episode of The Legacy Code, Teresa Ge sits down with Amy Silvis to unpack a lesson that applies far beyond real estate: the best businesses do not just react to churn, they remove friction before people ever consider leaving.Amy shares her path from biotech into commercial real estate, the health challenge that reshaped how she thinks about ambition, and the operating principles she uses to build for the long term. Together, Amy and Teresa explore what retention really means, how great operators manage risk before it becomes visible, and why mentorship, trust, and the right team matter more as your responsibilities grow.This conversation also goes deeper than business. Amy opens up about protecting mental and physical health while building, making hard pivots with conviction, and creating a life and career that compound over decades.If you are building a company, managing people, investing in long-term assets, or simply trying to stay healthy while pursuing something ambitious, this episode will give you a sharper framework for how to grow without losing yourself in the process.This episode is for:- Operators thinking about retention (healthcare, SaaS, real estate, services)- Founders building for decades, not just exits- Anyone who thinks retention is about preventing exits instead of removing frictionIn this episode, we cover:Amy’s personal health journey and how it changed her leadershipThe transition from biotech to commercial real estateRisk mitigation strategies for founders and operatorsWhy mentorship changes the speed and quality of decision-makingHow to build a strong team across different communication stylesThe real connection between health, resilience, and long-term performanceHosted by Teresa Ge, Founder of Solunar Wellness (AI health infrastructure) and creator of The Legacy Lounge, an exclusive community for founders building generational companies.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Amy's Journey04:09 Overcoming Health Challenges and Career Shifts08:17 Transitioning from Biotech to Real Estate10:20 The Importance of Mentorship14:53 Building a Strong Team and Managing Risks17:07 Communication Styles Across Industries17:44 Handling Challenges with Empathy21:48 Prioritizing Health and Well-being23:27 Balancing Work and Mental Health26:40 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

In this conversation, Teresa Ge interviews Brendan Tian, Chief Commercial Officer at Pacera Biosciences, discussing the intricacies of commercializing medical breakthroughs and the leadership required in the biotech industry. Brendan shares insights from his extensive career, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, navigating challenges in scaling businesses, and the role of AI in enhancing pharmaceutical processes. He also reflects on the traits that future business leaders should cultivate and the significance of maintaining personal well-being amidst professional demands.TakeawaysCommercializing medical breakthroughs requires specific leadership skills.Understanding unmet needs is crucial for success in any industry.The right talent and mission-driven people are essential for overcoming challenges.AI is transforming the pharmaceutical industry by improving efficiency.Balancing personal well-being with professional responsibilities is vital for success.Effective communication and alignment of missions can drive business growth.Navigating regulatory challenges is a critical aspect of the pharmaceutical industry.Leaders should encourage creativity and diverse skills within their teams.Passion for one's work leads to greater dedication and success.Taking time to recharge is essential for maintaining energy and focus.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Brendan Tian and His Career Journey01:37 Leadership Lessons from Early Career Experiences03:11 Understanding Customer Needs and Value Propositions06:16 Navigating Challenges in Business Growth09:15 The Importance of Mission Alignment in Business11:09 Prioritizing Patient Safety in Pharmaceuticals13:22 Harnessing AI in the Pharmaceutical Industry15:32 The Advantages of Working in a Smaller Company16:25 Advice for Future Business Leaders20:01 The Role of Fitness and Well-being in Leadership22:07 Embracing Multifaceted Talents in Leadership