James Bates AdviNow Medical | From Startup to $20M Scale
In this episode of What It Takes, we’re joined by James Bates, the founder and CEO of AdviNow Medical—a trailblazing AI startup that’s reshaping how healthcare works. From billion-dollar tech leadership roles to raising $20M to launch something brand new, James shares a raw and insightful look at what it takes to scale in one of the toughest industries.
“AdviNow allows doctors to be doctors once again.” – James Bates
🚀 The Spark That Created AdviNow Medical
After stepping away from his career in automotive and sensor tech, James turned his attention to a completely different space—healthcare. What he found shocked him: most medical practices weren’t even profitable. That insight led him to build a system that automates everything except the care itself.
“66% of a doctor’s time is spent on things unrelated to their medical license.”
AdviNow Medical uses artificial intelligence to handle documentation, coding, and admin work—allowing doctors to focus on patients again.
💸 Raising $20M: A True Startup Test
James breaks down what it took to secure $20M in funding, including:
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Educating a skeptical market on AI in medicine
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Adapting after the pandemic flipped his go-to-market strategy
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Staying the course despite resistance from inside the industry
“I thought I understood resilience—until I became a founder.”
👥 From Tech Leader to Team Builder
James highlights the importance of assembling a great team early on. A well-timed opportunity allowed him to bring in top talent and scale his workforce to 100+ people at peak.
“You can have amazing tech, but without the right people, it won’t go anywhere.”
🔧 Breaking Through Healthcare Resistance
Bringing new tech to healthcare comes with major friction. James explains how hospitals often treat innovation as a threat rather than a benefit—and how he’s worked around that mindset to get adoption.
“In healthcare, even great solutions face pushback because the system is so risk-averse.”
🧠 Final Advice from the Founder
So, what does it take to bring a big vision to life? James shares:
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Resilience as the make-or-break founder trait
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Why clarity of mission is more important than external praise
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And how to filter feedback from those who don’t share your vision
“If the only criticism is that it’s hard or slow—ignore it.”
🔗 Connect with James & AdviNow Medical
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🌐 Website: www.advinow.com
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💼 LinkedIn: James Bates
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📧 Email: james.bates@advinow.com
🎧 Listen Now:
👉 James Bates AdviNow Medical | From Startup to $20M Scale
Whether you’re in healthcare, tech, or entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building bold ideas in complex industries.
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