Leap Academy with Ilana Golan: Episode Summary Episode: How Forbes 30 Under 30 Kira Radinsky Turns Every ‘No’ Into Opportunity
Release Date: September 24, 2024

In this inspiring episode of Leap Academy with Ilana Golan, host Ilana Golan engages in a profound conversation with Kira Radinsky, a trailblazing entrepreneur recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Kira shares her remarkable journey from her challenging upbringing in the USSR to becoming the CEO of Diagnostics Robotics, offering invaluable insights into perseverance, innovation, and turning setbacks into opportunities.

1. Introduction to Kira Radinsky

Ilana Golan introduces Kira Radinsky, highlighting her accomplishments and the breadth of her impact in the tech and healthcare industries.

Ilana Golan (00:52): "Kira is the CEO and CTO of Diagnostics Robotics. Previously, she co-founded Sales Predict, which was acquired by eBay in 2016. She's renowned for her pioneering work in data mining, predicting early warning signs of political riots, diseases, and epidemics."

2. Early Life and Overcoming Adversity

Kira delves into her early life, growing up in a family of women in the USSR, facing anti-Semitic policies, and the harrowing experience of her mother fleeing to Russia and subsequently to Israel.

Kira Radinsky (01:35): "Being Jewish in the USSR was really hard. Universities limited Jewish admissions, and life was generally tough under communism. My family's dream was to build a free life, which we took for granted today but wasn’t possible back then."

She recounts the nuclear reactor explosion near Kyiv when she was pregnant, leading to her mother's brave efforts to secure a future abroad amid governmental oppression.

Kira Radinsky (02:50): "My mom stood in line for over two days to get one of the last train tickets out of Ukraine. She even took random kids with her on the train, showcasing her selflessness and determination to survive."

3. Education and Early Career Aspirations

From a young age, Kira was driven by a passion for science. She pursued computer science at 15 and undertook internships that spurred her interest in automating scientific processes.

Kira Radinsky (05:30): "When I was 15, I wanted to be a scientist who builds systems that automate scientific work. This led me to develop AI systems to enhance research efficiency."

4. Battling Challenges in Professional Growth

Kira shares her experience trying to join the Israeli army's intelligence forces despite lacking the required experience. Her relentless persistence and willingness to learn on the fly eventually led to her acceptance.

Kira Radinsky (09:04): "I called the recruiter for three months every day, asking for an interview and a test. Even when faced with unfamiliar C code during the interview, I didn't give up."

She attributes her success to focusing on personal growth rather than competing with others.

Kira Radinsky (14:53): "Having no plan B pushes you to innovate. When you have no choice, you'll be surprised about how creative and resourceful you become."

5. Transition to Entrepreneurship

After completing her PhD, Kira decided to transition from academia to entrepreneurship, motivated by her husband's advice to make a tangible impact.

Kira Radinsky (19:50): "My dream was to build real science. Academic work felt like just playing with ideas without ownership. Entrepreneurship allowed me to bring innovations to life."

She co-founded Sales Prediction, focusing on predicting macroeconomic events and assisting B2B companies in optimizing their sales processes.

6. Fundraising and Scaling Challenges

Kira discusses the daunting challenges of fundraising, facing numerous rejections before leveraging personal networks to secure initial investments.

Kira Radinsky (20:12): "We started fundraising, and the usual answers were no. It was only through friends and family that we managed to raise funds and deliver to initial customers."

A turning point came when her husband convinced her to attend an English lord's birthday party, leading to unexpected investment opportunities.

Kira Radinsky (26:16): "Saying yes opened doors I never anticipated. Meeting influential people at the party resulted in critical investments that kept us afloat until we were acquired by eBay."

7. Building Diagnostic Robotics

Transitioning to the healthcare sector, Kira founded Diagnostics Robotics, aiming to revolutionize patient care through AI-powered systems that predict patient deterioration and recommend clinical actions.

Kira Radinsky (30:28): "With access to over 60 billion claims and nearly 100 million medical records, we're building AI systems that align the incentives of patients, physicians, and insurers to ensure optimal patient health."

She highlights the complexities of integrating technology into healthcare, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business side.

Kira Radinsky (35:19): "Healthcare is not just about technology; it's about workflow and business processes. Our success lies in balancing technological innovation with business acumen."

8. Lessons Learned and Overcoming Setbacks

Kira openly discusses setbacks, such as her company's unexpected last-place finish in a Salesforce challenge due to QA issues, and how these experiences reinforced the importance of engineering quality alongside scientific excellence.

Kira Radinsky (37:19): "We thought we were winning with our algorithms, but a QA bug cost us the top spot. It taught us that engineering quality is as crucial as scientific innovation."

She emphasizes resilience and the ability to learn from failures as key components of success.

Kira Radinsky (39:39): "There's no shame in failing. Each failure increases the chances of future success. It's about perseverance and the ability to recover and rebuild."

9. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Kira offers heartfelt advice to listeners aspiring to achieve more in their lives, encouraging them to take bold actions and embrace opportunities.

Kira Radinsky (40:53): "Just do it right. Push yourself off the cliff. You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish once you've made the leap."

She underscores the importance of networking, saying yes to opportunities, and dedicating time to strategic thinking and personal growth.

Kira Radinsky (41:34): "Say yes to more things, attend more events, meet more people. Successful entrepreneurship is as much about luck and hard work as it is about the people you surround yourself with."

10. Conclusion: Embracing the Journey

Wrapping up the conversation, Kira reflects on her continuous quest to innovate and make a meaningful impact, balancing her roles as a CEO and a mentor to the next generation of innovators.

Kira Radinsky (43:56): "I dedicate time each week to think and explore new ideas, ensuring that I'm always pushing boundaries and finding ways to make a difference."

Ilana Golan expresses admiration for Kira's relentless drive and visionary approach, leaving listeners inspired to pursue their own leaps toward bigger achievements.

Key Takeaways:

• Perseverance: Kira's journey underscores the power of relentless persistence in overcoming obstacles.
• Adaptability: Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship highlights the importance of flexibility and continuous learning.
• Networking: Building a strong personal brand and leveraging relationships can open unforeseen opportunities.
• Resilience: Embracing failures as learning experiences is crucial for long-term success.
• Innovation in Healthcare: Integrating AI with healthcare requires balancing technological advancements with business strategies to create impactful solutions.

Kira Radinsky's story is a testament to how resilience, strategic thinking, and embracing opportunities can transform challenges into groundbreaking successes. Her insights provide a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to leave a lasting impact on the world.