Conversations with Tyler Noubar Afeyan on the Permission to Leap
Jan 13, 2021
Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, is a biomedical innovator and philanthropist. He shares insights on the 'paranoid optimism' that fuels his entrepreneurial spirit, shaped by his Armenian-American heritage. Afeyan discusses the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine and the balance of corporate responsibility in biotech. He also explores the future of gene editing, the importance of a diverse culture in innovation, and the impact of his classical pianist mother on his life. His reflections on ethical decision-making and the role of immigrants in shaping America are equally captivating.
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Teaching Entrepreneurship
- Teach entrepreneurship as a combination of mindsets and beliefs, not just inherent traits.
- Put yourself in your students' shoes and consider what you would have wanted to know beforehand.
Flagship's Model
- Flagship Pioneering is a novel company that develops other companies, creating platforms within them.
- This model combines innovation, talent, and capital in one entity, allowing for greater risk-taking and persistence.
Scaling Flagship
- Flagship's scaling is limited by finding people who are trained in their way of thinking.
- It's also limited by the challenge of finding individuals willing to dedicate themselves to a contrarian approach.
