You Can't Spreadsheet Your Way to Soul
On strategy, wholeness, and building from the in-between.
PhD · Founder · Speaker · Advisor
Irena King, PhD
Medical Engineer
Bridging disciplines, strategy, and human impact — building alongside the next generation of bold founders in health, technology, and beyond.
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About Irena
Building in the space between disciplines.
I've spent my career closing the gap between what medicine is capable of and what actually reaches the people who need it. That gap is rarely a science problem — it's a systems problem. I began as a medical engineer and neuroscientist pursuing that question. It has taken me from research labs at Harvard and MIT to operating rooms, from military-born innovation to startup leadership — all at the intersection of disciplines, where translation becomes impact.
Today, I lead Surgicure Technologies, advise early-stage MedTech and life science companies, and speak globally on innovation, leadership, and the often-unseen realities of entrepreneurship — from fundraising and commercialization to resilience, authenticity, and building teams with purpose. I believe meaningful innovation begins with deep curiosity, a relentless committment to understanding the problem, and designing alongside the people you're trying to serve. Whether building technologies, companies, or communities, my goal is the same: helping ideas move farther, faster, and ultimately improve lives.
Science
Science and engineering: the lens through which I pursue better questions, better solutions, and better outcomes.
Building
Turning breakthrough ideas into real-world impact through entrepreneurship, strategy, and execution.
People
Championing the next generation of founders — and building alongside people bold enough to rethink what's possible.
Life
Equestrian sport, music, travel, service, and the belief that a full life informs better thinking.
The Chronology
A curated archive of research, ventures, and the formative experiences that define the arc of my career.
Ventures & Companies
Building what matters.
MedTech Innovation
Surgicure Technologies
Licensing and commercializing battlefield-validated medical technology — starting with the HORSESHOE™, an airway security device deployed on the frontlines and in U.S. hospitals.
Advisory
Sovereign Solutions
Supporting early-stage MedTech and life sciences ventures on business strategy, clinical positioning, and capital readiness.
Mentorship & Consulting
Investing in the people who will change medicine.
I believe one of the most meaningful things we can do is create opportunities for those coming behind us. Through mentorship, advising, and community, I'm committed to helping the next generation of founders, researchers, and leaders build with confidence, conviction, and purpose.
Mentorship & Advisory
Through organizations including TiE Boston, MassChallenge, and the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, I mentor and advise founders, scientists, and emerging leaders translating ideas into impact. Mentorship engagements are limited to ensure meaningful support and involvement.
Thought Leadership & Writing
The Discourse
Reflections on innovation, leadership, resilience, and meaningful impact — sparked from the space between disciplines.
Subscribe to Catching Lightning →The Magic Wand and the Cluttered Stage
On designing for the room that exists.
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Media & Speaking
On every stage that matters.
Available for keynotes, panels, and conference programs worldwide. I speak on innovation, entrepreneurship, healthcare transformation, women in STEM, leadership, and building at the intersection of science, technology, and human impact.
50+
Talks & Appearances
10K+
Audience Reached
3
Countries
25+
Awards & Honours
Speaking Topics
Redefining What's Possible: Turning Breakthrough Ideas into Real-World Impact
Building in the Space Between Disciplines
From Research to Revenue: The Scientist-Founder Journey
Women in Science, Tech, & Entrepreneurship: Closing the Gap
The Human Side of Entrepreneurship
The Future of Healthcare Innovation
Recent Appearances
SXSW
Austin, TX
Pitch & Interview
2026
MedTech World North America
West Palm Beach, FL
Pitch & Interview
2026
American Burn Association Annual Meeting
Orlando, FL
Showcase
2026
TechCrunch Disrupt
San Francisco, CA
Showcase & Pitch
2025
YPOSF
San Francisco, CA
Panel
2025
The MedTech Conference
San Diego, CA
Pitch
2025
Press & Media
Making headlines.
Awards, podcast appearances, and media features exploring innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of health.
MedTech World Startup of the Year, North America
Named Startup of the Year for advancing the HORSESHOE™ from battlefield concept to hospital-ready device.
Great Leaders in Healthcare
Recognized among healthcare's most impactful leaders.
SXSW Pitch Winner, Healthcare & Assistive Technologies
Won the Healthcare & Assistive Technologies category at one of the world's most competitive startup pitch stages.
Top 200 Global Startups, TechCrunch Disrupt
Selected among the top 200 startups worldwide at one of tech's most competitive global stages.
40 Under 40 Honoree
Honored among Boston's most influential leaders under 40.
Fire Award
Honored for building Surgicure into one of Boston's most promising MedTech ventures.
Surgicure CEO on bootstrapping her way to founding a medical device company
Great leaders in healthcare | 2026
Boston startup wins SXSW Pitch award
Massachusetts startups among 45 finalists at SXSW pitch competition in Austin
Meet the BostInno 2025 Fire Awards honorees
Irena King is a 2025 Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree
She's running to support trauma survivors
The Boston Marathon Is So Much More Than a Race—3 Fundraising Athletes Open Up About Its Powerful Impact
Medtech startup gets $1.7M for breathing tube device
Surgicure Technologies Founder & CEO Irena King Wins 2024 TiE Boston Women Pitch Competition
Two Students from the 2024 Cohort Celebrated at Recent Healthcare Certificate Ceremony
Meet BostInno’s 25 under 25 for 2022
Get In Touch
Let's connect.
Whether you're reaching out about Surgicure, speaking, mentorship, consulting, or a new idea worth exploring, I'd love to hear from you. I read every message personally.
Based In
Boston, MA
Available globally for speaking engagements
For Bookings & Press
team@irenaking.com
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Irena King, PhD
“I am a dreamer — grounded in connecting ideas, people, and worlds into something meaningful.”