Playbook Newport Beach 2025 Breaks Records, Elevates MedTech Strategy Conversations

A smiling woman holding a coffee mug chats with two male attendees during a networking break. All wear StarFish Medical lanyards and conference badges. The setting is informal and social, with other attendees conversing in the background.
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Playbook Newport Beach 2025 Breaks Records, Elevates MedTech Strategy Conversations

Victoria, BC, and Newport Beach, CA — May 29, 2025 — Medical Device Playbook Newport Beach 2025 set a new benchmark, bringing together the most senior and engaged group of leaders in the event’s history.

With a 30% rise in C-suite attendees, the forum delivered its most executive-driven gathering to date—fostering a level of discourse that moved beyond case studies to transformative lessons in scaling, selling, and navigating MedTech’s evolving landscape.

Held on May 22 at the VEA Newport Beach, this invitation-only forum welcomed the brightest minds in MedTech to tackle the theme: Scaling & Selling in MedTech’s New Regulatory Reality.

“At Playbook Newport Beach 2025, success stories met hard-won lessons. This invite-only gathering of senior leaders sparked the kind of conversations that move MedTech forward—honest, insightful, and future-focused.,” said Scott Phillips CEO of StarFish Medical “We’re proud to provide a forum where the industry’s top voices don’t just present—they connect.”

Session Highlights Included

  • Eric Olson (Director, Design US): “Design, Ready, Fire, Aim” — how deep research can collapse five devices into one and create market-winning products.
  • CL Tian (CEO, Phiex Technologies): A bold challenge to the status quo in sterilization, sharing what it takes to build a new ecosystem under pressure.
  • Steve Kern (Executive Director, Global Health Labs): Insights into how the Gates Foundation evaluates evidence, risk, and scale in partnerships.
  • Tonya Porter (Regulatory Scientists, Inc.): A deep dive into FDA shifts, startup pitfalls, and how to stay off the regulatory blindside.
  • Karthik Ranganathan (M&A Strategist): Three M&A case studies from the buyer’s side—what actually drives a billion-dollar acquisition.
  • VC Panel: Mike Hill (Octane Capital), Henry Yan (Device of Tomorrow Fund), John Guidon, and Len Brandt (Norwest Ventures) outlined how MedTech investing is evolving and what startups must do to stand out in 2025.
Ken Mariash in a beige blazer speaks at a podium labeled "Medical Device Playbook Newport Beach 2025." The background features a geometric black-and-white pattern. He gestures with his right hand while addressing the audience, conveying a confident and engaging presence.
A group of speakers at Medical Device Playbook Newport Beach 2025 pose outdoors on a terrace with palm trees and a golf course in the background. Most are waving with one hand raised. They are dressed in business casual and formal attire, suggesting a networking or conference setting.

“If you’re interested in learning, you go to a lot of conferences…what was so surprising about being here is how rich the opportunity to learn from people’s actual experience was. There was no theory, there was no preaching, no flops…That’s where we frankly, truly learn.”

CL Tian, CEO & Co-Founder, Phiex Technologies

“It was impressive to witness firsthand the momentum and enthusiasm StarFish brought to the Orange County medical device community. Their commitment to meaningful collaboration with key partners such as Octane reinforces their vital role within our innovation ecosystem.  I personally found new connections and opportunities, and so did many others I spoke with.”

Mike Hill, Octane OC

Mike Hill, Henry Yan, John Guidon, and Len Brandt sit on a stage under the "Medical Device Playbook 2025" banner. The man on the far left gestures animatedly while speaking, and the others listen attentively. The setup includes high chairs and a geometric backdrop with blue and purple lighting.

The event culminated in a keynote by Scott Phillips, CEO of StarFish Medical who shared insights from analyzing 25 MedTech IPOs to understand what truly drives value.

Who Attended

Medical Device Playbook Newport Beach 2025 hosted:

  • MedTech entrepreneurs, from pre-seed founders to serial exit veterans
  • Industry executives from top acquirers and device strategics
  • Regulators and policy experts navigating an evolving FDA landscape
  • Investors and dealmakers scouting high-potential opportunities

With curated sessions, invite-only access, and a focus on real-world takeaways, the Playbook event series continues to stand apart from traditional conferences.

Next Year’s Date | May 21, 2026, to request an invitation to join the industry’s most strategic MedTech forum

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