Satya Singh, a Seattle-area technology and startup leader who was previously a data platform executive at Expedia, co-founded Scispot, a data infrastructure platform for biotech companies. He recently shared his story on the Startup Project podcast.
Singh’s passion for data started at a young age, sparked by his fascination with numerology. He went on to build a successful shoe business, Jacksin.co.uk, before moving to Seattle to work for Expedia, where he led product development for platform and marketplaces.
It was this experience, combined with his brother’s unique insights on modern biotech, that led him to co-found Scispot.
Listen below, and continue reading for highlights from his comments, edited for context and clarity. Subscribe to Startup Project and hear more episodes at thestartupproject.io
Modern Biotech: A New Data Frontier
After years of navigating the complex world of travel data at Expedia and Hotels.com, Singh found himself drawn to a new challenge: unlocking the potential of data in life sciences. His brother, Guru Singh, a seasoned expert in the field, saw a significant gap in the market for data products in biotech.
“Eighty percent of biotech data never gets analyzed,” Singh reveals, citing reasons like paper-based processes, unique file formats, and a lack of platform integration within labs. This insight gave birth to Scispot, a platform that aims to bridge the gap between wet-lab and dry-lab data by connecting various data points from instruments to experiments, ultimately reducing the noise-to-signal ratio.
Y Combinator, Market Signals, and Building a Solid Foundation
Within weeks of launching, Scispot was accepted into the startup accelerator Y Combinator (YC) in its summer 2021 batch. Singh’s experience in Y Combinator (YC) played a crucial role in Scispot’s trajectory. He emphasizes the importance of being humble and open to market signals and not getting too attached to your initial idea. YC taught him the value of prioritizing market feedback over personal assumptions.
The team learned how to operate remotely during the pandemic, building a foundation for the company. They learned to trust each other virtually and navigate the complexities of a remote working environment.
Singh highlights the importance of building a profitable business, saying, “Our goal has been to be default alive.” This mindset helped them secure funding even during a challenging market climate. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer needs and building a company with a solid foundation, rather than just chasing funding.
Scispot was also selected by Creative Destruction Lab, Seattle, as one of the companies to present in the CDL Super Session in Toronto in 2023.
Scispot’s Approach: A Data Lake House for Biotech
Scispot positions itself not as a single source of truth, but as a middleware that connects various tools within a customer’s existing tech stack. This approach allows customers to build their own intellectual property, leverage foundation models, and ensure compliance.
“We’re building a data lake house platform, but for modern biotech,” Singh explains.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Here’s what Singh advises for anyone starting their own business:
- Go with the flow, like a river: Pay attention to what customers want and be ready to change your plans if needed. Don’t be afraid to shift gears!
- Build a strong base, like a sturdy house: Focus on making your customers happy and build a business that can stand on its own two feet.
- Focus on teamwork: Make friends with smart people who can help you. Mentors, investors, and other entrepreneurs can be your best allies.
To listen to the full conversation and learn more about Scispot, check out the Startup Project podcast episode here.
