In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, we dive into process management and startup strategy in neurotechnology with Dr. Connor Glass, Founder & CEO of Phantom Neuro in Austin, Texas. Connor’s journey—from medical researcher at Johns Hopkins to building a breakthrough neurotechnology company—is a powerful example of what it takes to transform innovation into impact.
Phantom Neuro is developing a minimally invasive muscle-machine interface that allows prosthetics to behave more like natural limbs. And with the company recently raising a $19 million Series A led by Ottobock, Connor’s story highlights not only cutting-edge science but the strategy and process behind scaling in one of the most complex industries.
How Process Management Shapes the Journey from Academia to Entrepreneurship
Connor’s path includes multiple major pivots: from ROTC, to pre-med, to neuromuscular reconstructive surgery, to ultimately founding a deep-tech startup.
Early in his academic work, he realized that the impressive demonstrations of neurotech on YouTube and mainstream media weren’t as real-world-ready as they appeared:
“What we were really seeing was proof of concept, not commercial reality.”
This realization pushed him to pursue something bigger: creating a scalable product that could help real patients—not just prototypes for video clips.
From Research to Real-World Application: Startup Strategy in Neurotechnology
A critical element of startup strategy in neurotechnology is turning scientific innovation into a compelling business case. Connor entered entrepreneurship without a business background:
“At the end of the day, it’s sheer grit, trial and error, and a lot of no’s before a yes.”
With guidance from family and friends who were also founders, he learned how to handle equity, structure a company, and build a model investors could believe in.
Balancing Passion With Process Management Inside a High-Stakes Startup
Managing process management and startup strategy in neurotechnology means navigating chaos, regulation, and high expectations.
Connor shares how neurotech is uniquely challenging:
“You can give someone a slice of bread. You can’t give them a sample of a minimally invasive prosthetic control system.”
To keep the company aligned, Phantom Neuro focuses on:
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Hiring people aligned with the mission
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Maintaining flexibility instead of rigid early processes
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Communicating the big-picture vision
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Prioritizing transparency with investors and team members
“Done is better than perfect in the beginning.”
Strategic Partnerships: A Core Pillar of Startup Strategy in Neurotechnology
Phantom Neuro’s partnerships with organizations like Ottobock and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab provide credibility and operational support.
Connor explains that success depends on people believing in you, not just your idea:
“People have to buy into you as a person almost more than the company.”
These relationships lift the company’s expertise and stability, which is essential in a field where timelines are long and regulatory burden is heavy.
Process Management in Regulatory Navigation
One of the most valuable insights in this episode is how Phantom Neuro navigates the FDA and regulatory processes. Instead of treating regulators as adversaries, Connor builds relationships:
“At the end of the day, the FDA is made up of humans.”
He explains that while regulations are non-negotiable, you can have conversations, challenge assumptions, and work collaboratively—especially when certain requirements could kill a startup prematurely.
This collaborative approach is a powerful example of process management in neurotechnology startups.
The Founder Mindset: What It Takes to Survive and Win
Connor’s answer to the show’s signature question is one of the most striking in the episode:
“What it takes is a relentless belief in whatever you’re doing—a desire to rather die than not succeed.”
And the quote he lives by from his rocket-founder friend:
“In order to survive, you have to sprint faster toward death.”
This mindset encapsulates the reality of deep-tech entrepreneurship—where survival requires courage, calculated risk, and unwavering conviction.
Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Here are the biggest takeaways from Connor’s journey:
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Academic success ≠ commercial success. A completely different mindset and strategy are required.
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Early processes should emphasize flexibility, not bureaucracy.
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Your circle determines your trajectory. Surround yourself with aligned thinkers and doers.
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Regulators are collaborators, not obstacles.
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Relentless belief and resilience are mandatory in high-stakes sectors.
Learn More About Phantom Neuro
Website: https://phantomneuro.com
Contact: info@phantomneuro.com
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