Critical Moments Graceful Failure: Lessons from Sci-Fi Foods with Josh March and Kasia Gora
In this episode of Critical Moments, Mark sits down with Josh March and Kasia Gora, co-founders of Sci-Fi Foods, a groundbreaking cultivated meat startup. They discuss their journey, from raising $45 million to create a better future for meat production to the critical moments leading to the company’s shutdown.
Mark dives into their candid post-mortem on shutting down a startup with integrity and the lessons they’ve documented in Graceful Exit. Listen as Josh and Kasia reflect on market collapse, the tension between optimism and realism, and how honest communication and leadership paved the way for an impactful ending.
Key Moments:
• [00:47] Sci-Fi Foods’ origin story and mission.
• [07:00] Raising $45M and the evolution of cultivated meat.
• [11:20] Realizing market challenges and pivoting strategies.
• [17:33] Receiving the critical email and the decision to shut down.
• [22:50] Managing employees, investors, and creditors with grace.
• [31:57] How Sci-Fi Foods’ IP is shaping the future of cultivated meat startups.
• [38:02] Lessons in leadership: vulnerability, communication, and normalizing failure.
Join us for a raw and inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and the art of ending well.