Emergent: Building the Future Episode 5: Productizing Biohacking with Andrew Herr
In this episode, we hear from Andrew Herr, the founder and CEO of Fount. Fount designs sophisticated health and performance products and has developed solutions to challenges ranging from jet lag to PMS. Previously, Andrew led human performance and biotech strategy efforts for the U.S. military, focusing on maximizing the performance of Navy SEALs.
Key Takeaways
* Understand Fount’s dual approach: an innovative product development engine fueled by a personalized coaching business.
* Discover how “n of 1” experiments are designed to meet individual goals, such as energy, focus, mood, sleep, and gut health.
* Learn how Andrew prototyped his jet lag solution in just a couple of days, and adapted it to the mass market with a 90% success rate.
* Hear a framework for distilling complex scientific concepts into understandable pitches for investors and customers, like Andrew's explanation of ApoB and cholesterol measurements.
* Techniques for developing productized programs that people adhere to and creating long-term behavioral change.
* Importance of combining qualitative life experience information with biological data and real-time monitoring, such as blood work and wearable data.
* How to decide when a product warrants a digital companion app experience.
* How Fount evolved its physical product packaging in response to customer feedback
* Learn about the company's grand vision to build a comprehensive data set from individual experiments to achieve true customization at scale.
* Understand the significant role of genetics in human performance and how Fount uses both direct genetic information and patterns in blood work to tailor their interventions.
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In this episode, we cover:
* Introduction (00:42)
* How Fount uses personalized n=1 Experiments to Develop Individualized Coaching and Identify Broader Solutions that can be Turned into Marketable Products. (04:00)
* The Rapid Prototyping Process behind Fount’s Jet Lag Product and its Effectiveness. (05:24)
* The Importance of Real-Time Feedback and Continuous Monitoring (10:50)
* Identifying Market Needs and Signals of Product Market Fit (14:19)
* Challenges and Strategies in Marketing Niche Health Products (17:18)
* Behavioral and Demographic Insights of Biohacking Consumers (19:50)
* Prototyping the Jet Lag Product for Rapid Deployment and Building Trust and Running Safe Experiments with Clients (20:23)
* Balancing Short-Term Wins with Long-Term Health Goals (25:00)
* Fount’s Vision for Customized Health Programs at Scale (27:06)
* Launch and Effectiveness of the Supplement Composer System and Utilizing Unique Datasets for Algorithm-Driven Customization (29:05)
* Trade-offs in Short-Term Performance Maximization and Ethical Considerations in Performance Enhancement (31:37)
* The Significant Role of Genetics in Human Performance and Tailoring Interventions based on Genetic Information (38:54)
* Experimentation and Iteration to Find Optimal Solutions (42:40)
* Importance of Timing in Health Interventions and Enhancing Compliance with Reminders and Notifications (44:48)
* Handling Data Privacy in Fount’s Data Sets (50:11)
* Evolution of FlyKit: From Pelican Case to Mylar Bag Packaging and the Introduction of Blister Packs for Supplements (55:22)
* Plans for an App Integrating All Lifestyle Recommendations and Enhancing User Experience with Comprehensive Digital Solutions (57:45)
* Andrew’s Vision for the Future of Fount and Customized Health Solutions (59:30)
* Andrew’s Advice on Pitching Big Visions to Investors and Balancing Intuition with Data (01:01:22)
* Getting in Touch With Andrew Herr and Fount (01:09:23)
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You can connect with Andrew Herr through the following platforms:
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-herr/
* Website: https://fount.bio/
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You can connect with Adam through the following platforms:
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-judelson/
* Substack: https://www.emergentproduct.com
* X: https://twitter.com/Ajuggles
* Website: www.firstprinciples.la
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* Website: https://www.emergentproduct.com
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For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast or becoming a guest, email adam@firstprinciples.la.
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