Robert P Mollen is a US-qualified corporate lawyer, based in London and is a mentor in the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme.
Robert has nearly 10 years’ experience mentoring technology start-ups in connection with securing early-stage finance, US market entry, internationalisation, and startup-corporate collaboration issues.
Name: Robert P Mollen
Occupation: US-qualified corporate lawyer
I have worked with start-ups/scaleups in over 20 accelerators and other start-up programs in London, continental Europe, and Israel, this includes- KQ Labs, EIT Health, NHS Innovation Accelerator, Techstars and MassChallenge.
Why did you choose to become a mentor on the NHS CEP, are you enjoying the experience and how have you supported your mentee/s so far?
I greatly admire and learn a lot from MedTech start-up founders. They typically have a strong social purpose and have the potential to make a real difference.
I have been involved in the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme for a number of years, although my mentoring of founders in this programme has been limited. I can help the clinical entrepreneurs address storytelling for investment, assess the challenges in dealing with large partners and customers, and prepare for the future with guidance around building networks, nationally and internationally. I can also point them in the right direction to address regulatory, reimbursement/health economics, IP, and market access issues, especially in the US.
What do you think makes a good mentor and can you see the impact that mentoring is having on your mentee?
Mentors should help founders to think broadly by raising questions, providing introductions, discussing potential courses of action, and identifying possible pitfalls. The role of the mentor is to provide guidance for consideration by founders- not to drive the bus. I feel that I’ve had impact if the founder has considered what I had to say, whether or not they choose to follow any advice that I’ve given.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your professional career?
Treat people with respect.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a mentor with the NHS CEP?
I learn a lot from founders, and I find the personal engagement very satisfying. I admire their commitment.
Don’t approach mentoring with a view to personal benefit- relationships may develop down the road if that makes sense for a founder, but the operative principle is “give first.”
Robert P Mollen is one of over 300 professionals that volunteer there support to the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and support our next generation of innovators. If you are interested in supporting the programme visit our mentor pages
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH INNOVATION
