The Biotech Startups Podcast 🧬Stavros Papadopoulos: How Serendipity Sparked TileDB's Startup Journey (Part 2/4)
Mar 6, 2025
41:40
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"Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal."
In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data.
Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning.
Key topics covered:
- Transition from academia to entrepreneurship: Seizing opportunities at MIT and Intel
- Developing TileDB: Creating a novel database system for complex data types
- Fundraising journey: From angel investors to venture capital
- Challenges of starting a database company: High costs and talent requirements
- Importance of mentorship and building win-win relationships in tech entrepreneurship: Key strategies for success
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Find our guest, Stavros Papadopoulos, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stavrospap/
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Website: https://www.excedr.com
Mentions:
Resources & Articles:
Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet: https://www.d-eship.com/
Zero to IPO by Frederic Kerrest: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/book-day-zero-ipo-frederic-kerrest-summary-mircea-ioan-soit-kvspe/
TileDB database technology: https://cloud.tiledb.com/academy/what-is-tiledb/
Genomics DB (precursor to TileDB): https://www.tiledb.com/blog/population-genomics-data-with-tiledb
MIT Technology Licensing Office: https://tlo.mit.edu/
Broad Institute's VCF (Variant Call Format): https://www.broadinstitute.org/publications/broad12186
Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM): https://radygenomics.org/begin-ngs-newborn-sequencing/
UK Biobank: https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/
Companies & People:
Intel: https://www.intel.com/
MIT: https://www.mit.edu/
TileDB: https://tiledb.com/
Broad Institute: https://www.broadinstitute.org/
Nexus Venture Partners: https://nexusvp.com/
Frederic Kerrest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fkerrest/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:24 Transitioning from Hong Kong to MIT/Intel
11:30 The importance of proactivity and hustle in seizing opportunities
20:59 Working on database systems at MIT/Intel
29:08 The serendipitous encounter that led to starting TileDB
32:16 Developing TileDB: A database for non-tabular data and machine learning
35:30 Solving scalability issues for the Broad Institute
36:55 Raising initial funding and spinning out TileDB from MIT/Intel
37:26 Challenges of starting a database business
38:15 Structuring TileDB's launch as a win-win for all stakeholders
39:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.