In this episode, Merom Klein—business psychologist, innovation leadership expert, and co-founder of Courage Growth Partners—joins Duane Mancini to unpack why courage is a decisive differentiator for medtech innovators trying to earn funding, win pilot customers, and drive adoption of a new standard of care. Merom shares how his entrepreneurial family background, early work in organizational psychology, and experience building startups shaped his focus on making courage contagious. The conversation reframes fear as inevitable—and even necessary—and explores how leaders can “flip the switch” in high-stakes moments to avoid risk-averse traps, respond productively when partners or teams fall short, and turn criticism into forward motion. They dive into resilience, the value of pressure as a privilege, and why your #1 job in tough rooms is changing the energy and aligning people to shared purpose.

Merom Klein LinkedIn
Courage Growth Partners Website
“Courage to Champion” Book
Duane Mancini LinkedIn
Project Medtech Website
Project Medtech LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors: Ward Law and JumpStart Inc.