How a Radiologist Built His Way to Venture Capital

How does an academic physician with no formal technical training teach themselves to code, build an augmented reality startup, and transition into venture capital?

Meet Dr. Jesse Courtier, whose journey from UCSF section chief to tech entrepreneur embodies what happens when physicians execute on their ideas instead of just thinking about them.

Jesse has been at UCSF since 2008, rising through the ranks to become section chief in radiology. Then he felt compelled to do more.

"I hit a crossroads in my career," Jesse explained during our conversation. "I was chief of the section, and typically the next step would be becoming chair or chief of a larger department. I had to ask myself if that was really what I wanted."

The academic path had lost its luster. "In academia, you find your specialized niche. I could become an expert in something highly specific like diffusion tensor imaging of renal transplants and publish numerous papers, but that path just didn't excite me anymore."

Fascinated by 3D visualization in 2017, he spotted a critical disconnect between what radiologists see in images and what surgeons need during procedures. Rather than just talking about the problem, he took action.

"I'm self-taught when it comes to technology," he shared. "I taught myself how to code and built that first prototype app… just enough to demonstrate the concept." Using YouTube tutorials to learn the basics of augmented reality development, Jesse created a working prototype that effectively communicated his vision.

Through relentless iteration and feedback, his team at Sira Medical discovered their niche. "We discovered that our technology resonated most strongly in the area of fractures, particularly complex tabular and facial fractures." They weren't just building technology, they were solving a real clinical need.

The startup journey demanded sacrifice. "You'd complete your full clinical day and then return to startup work during evenings and weekends. It definitely wasn't conducive to a healthy work-life balance," Jesse admitted. But his persistence paid off.

First, they won a UCSF Catalyst Award that gave them initial funding. They used that funding to hire a full-time CEO. Then they got accepted to 500 Startups. Finally, Sira Medical secured venture funding from ICS Capital and eventually navigated the FDA 510(k) clearance process.

What happened next reveals a pattern I've observed repeatedly with physician entrepreneurs: one door opens another. Jesse's startup experience sparked an interest in the investment side of healthcare innovation. After taking the Venture Capital University course through the National Venture Capital Association, he discovered a passion for fueling innovation through strategic investment.

"With venture investing, you get multiple shots on goal; multiple opportunities to help people by leveraging your experience as both a practicing physician and an entrepreneur to help businesses grow. It's a way to truly scale your impact beyond what's possible in clinical practice alone."

Today, Jesse is now a managing partner at GT Ventures, focusing on early-stage health tech startups. He is full-time on this role, though he continues to do part-time clinical and academic practice, which helps him keep a pulse on real clinical work and an advantage over other healthcare investors. Like many physician entrepreneurs I speak with, he's found that sweet spot between clinical work and innovation.

He also noticed something every physician entrepreneur does about the compounding of opportunity that comes from taking the leap.

"Once you step through one door, it's fascinating how many other doors begin to open," Jesse reflected. "I never anticipated these possibilities, but I've found that once you commit to a direction, momentum tends to carry you forward in ways you couldn't have imagined."

For physicians considering entrepreneurship, Jesse's experience offers valuable insights:

1. You just need a simple prototype to start.

2. Don’t overthink it. Trying to over-optimize the building or funding process, or waiting to land the best accelerator or VC fund is more likely to stunt your growth than accelerate it.

3. Iterating on real feedback is better than waiting for perfection.

4. Clinical expertise provides a unique perspective that others miss.

5. Don’t stop. Keep pulling on the thread of curiosity and see where it takes you.

Jesse's journey isn't linear because it follows his passions, which makes it more interesting and relatable. By pursuing what genuinely interested him, he discovered opportunities that would never have materialized had he stayed in traditional medicine.

What makes Jesse's path worth sharing isn't just what he accomplished, but how his willingness to explore uncharted territory continuously opened new doors. While medicine offers security and a predictable career trajectory, the entrepreneurial path promises something different: the chance to create impact in unexpected ways and the freedom to let curiosity guide your professional evolution.

Jesse welcomes connections with physicians interested in entrepreneurship or venture capital. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. He is happy to be a sounding board for your ideas or answer questions about GT Ventures, which focuses on early-stage healthtech startups addressing preventative health and operational efficiencies.