Biotech is bursting with innovation—from gene editing to AI-powered diagnostics—but behind every successful breakthrough is something far less talked about: leadership. In this episode of Inside Biotech, we’re joined by Colin Smith, CEO and co-founder of ExecNow, a next-gen talent partner helping some of the world’s most innovative biotech, greentech, and AI companies find the leaders they need to scale science into sustainable businesses. Colin has spent years working behind the scenes, partnering with founders to solve one of the industry’s toughest challenges: bridging the divide between scientific genius and business execution. He shares insights on why many brilliant biotech companies struggle—not because of flawed science, but because they lack the right leadership to guide them through growth, regulation, commercialization, and culture-building. We dive into why the industry struggles to attract diverse and strategic leaders, how values-based hiring makes a difference, and why a clear mission can be a company’s strongest competitive advantage. Whether you’re a founder, a scientist, or just curious about the human side of biotech, this conversation reveals what it really takes to build companies that not only survive, but lead. (0:00) Intro to Colin Smith CEO of ExecNow (2:25) What is Colin Smith’s general background in biotech? (3:36) What caused Colin to go into talent acquisition? (6:41) The importance of a diverse workforce talent (7:40) How to demonstrate that you have the skills to work in biotech? (9:40) Tell people the story of your career. (12:25) Is professional work life just a group project? (14:04) What does ExecNow’s statement “Build by operators for operators mean?” (16:50) Give some examples of how leadership position priority changes across different funding stages? (19:39) Top talent wants to work with top talent (23:10) Common pitfalls in companies and do they differ across Biotech vs. MedTech? (25:50) How does capital play into company development? (27:52) Few and Far Between Biotech Podcast Ad (28:27) Any topics that surprised Colin with their innovation? (31:23) What are workers main drivers in their career? (33:28) Need to leverage AI on a daily basis. (35:50) Useful idea to use LLM to figure out what biotech companies just received funding and how to contact their hiring managers to see if a job is available. (36:50) How do I find a job to create a trajectory for a fulfilling career? (38:45) How to stick out and not “boil the ocean” and find a job in biotech. (42:10) Noone’s career is up and to the right (in graph speaking) (46:50) How does Gabriella look towards her career when she graduates from her PhD? (51:26) Wrap up thanking Colin Smith CEO from ExecNow
Biotech is bursting with innovation—from gene editing to AI-powered diagnostics—but behind every successful breakthrough is something far less talked about: leadership. In this episode of Inside Biotech, we’re joined by Colin Smith, CEO and co-founder of ExecNow, a next-gen talent partner helping some of the world’s most innovative biotech, greentech, and AI companies find the leaders they need to scale science into sustainable businesses.
Colin has spent years working behind the scenes, partnering with founders to solve one of the industry’s toughest challenges: bridging the divide between scientific genius and business execution. He shares insights on why many brilliant biotech companies struggle—not because of flawed science, but because they lack the right leadership to guide them through growth, regulation, commercialization, and culture-building.
We dive into why the industry struggles to attract diverse and strategic leaders, how values-based hiring makes a difference, and why a clear mission can be a company’s strongest competitive advantage. Whether you’re a founder, a scientist, or just curious about the human side of biotech, this conversation reveals what it really takes to build companies that not only survive, but lead.
(0:00) Intro to Colin Smith CEO of ExecNow
(2:25) What is Colin Smith’s general background in biotech?
(3:36) What caused Colin to go into talent acquisition?
(6:41) The importance of a diverse workforce talent
(7:40) How to demonstrate that you have the skills to work in biotech?
(9:40) Tell people the story of your career.
(12:25) Is professional work life just a group project?
(14:04) What does ExecNow’s statement “Build by operators for operators mean?”
(16:50) Give some examples of how leadership position priority changes across different funding stages?
(19:39) Top talent wants to work with top talent
(23:10) Common pitfalls in companies and do they differ across Biotech vs. MedTech?
(25:50) How does capital play into company development?
(27:52) Few and Far Between Biotech Podcast Ad
(28:27) Any topics that surprised Colin with their innovation?
(31:23) What are workers main drivers in their career?
(33:28) Need to leverage AI on a daily basis.
(35:50) Useful idea to use LLM to figure out what biotech companies just received funding and how to contact their hiring managers to see if a job is available.
(36:50) How do I find a job to create a trajectory for a fulfilling career?
(38:45) How to stick out and not “boil the ocean” and find a job in biotech.
(42:10) Noone’s career is up and to the right (in graph speaking)
(46:50) How does Gabriella look towards her career when she graduates from her PhD?
(51:26) Wrap up thanking Colin Smith CEO from ExecNow