Episode 11 - Sami Inkinen, CEO & Founder of Virta Health

Join host Norm Volsky in this captivating episode of Digital Health Heavyweights as he sits down with Sami Inkinen, the visionary CEO and Founder of Virta Health. In this thought-provoking conversation, Sami shares his journey from the tech world to healthcare, the accidental discovery that ignited his passion for revolutionizing diabetes care, and the critical traits of successful founders.

Sami tells us that 'Silicon Valley was his Hollywood'- he always dreamed of building. He goes into his story with Trulia, the IPO of Trulia and its eventual merger with Zillow Group. Reflecting on his time at Trulia, Sami emphasizes the importance of building a successful template from scratch, hiring the best talent, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence.

At Virta Health, Sami is on a mission to reverse type 2 diabetes through telemedicine and technology. He delves into the profound responsibility that comes with healthcare, where the margin for error can be a matter of life and death. Sami shares the challenges of merging engineering and medical mindsets to create a cohesive team.

The episode also explores Sami's personal journey from manual labor on a farm to becoming a championship rower and how physical health is integral to mental performance. Sami's dedication to reversing diabetes in 100 million people started as an accidental discovery, leading to the birth of Virta Health. Sami discusses the transformative impact of Virta Health, from its humble beginnings to its current valuation in the BILLIONS, highlighting the importance of humility and continuous improvement. He explains the significance of having a physical outlet for mental resilience.

The conversation touches on Virta's transition from clinical trials to securing its first customers and the explosive growth that followed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sami reveals the strategic decision to sell to self-insured employers and the rationale behind the B2B2C model.

Throughout the episode, Sami shares valuable insights for aspiring founders, emphasizing the importance of unwavering passion, perseverance, ethics, and problem-solving skills. He challenges the notion of IQ as the sole indicator of success and highlights the significance of curiosity paired with intellect.

Tune in to this enlightening episode of Digital Health Heavyweights to gain a deeper understanding of Sami Inkinen's remarkable journey and the groundbreaking work being done at Virta Health to reverse diabetes and transform lives. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the digital health industry's true heavyweights.

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