What does it take to build and scale a startup while navigating personal challenges, industry shifts, and market volatility? In this episode of Founders in Focus, we catch up with three dynamic entrepreneurs—Sebastian Doyle of Medipups, Barry McDonough of Hinalea Imaging, and Daphne Preuss of Nataur—each of whom are pushing the boundaries of innovation in pet health, food safety, and sustainable nutrition.

Inside the episode, hear how Sebastian balanced running two startup businesses while evacuating from devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, how Barry’s technology could reduce food recalls and how he juggles work with family life and personal health, and the complex nuances of bringing groundbreaking new sustainable ingredient to market.

Tune in for unfiltered insights, hard-earned lessons, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Plug and Play Agtech & Animal Health accelerator program—where startups are redefining the future of agtech, animal health, and sustainability.

Helpful Links

Learn more about Hinalea Imaging: https://hinalea.ai/

Learn more about Nataur: https://www.nataur.com/

Learn more about Medipups: https://medipups.com/about-us/

Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center.

Connect with Barry McDonogh on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Daphne Preuss on LinkedIn

Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome back!

01:40 – Entrepreneurship in the face of natural disaster with Sebastian Doyle

05:38 – Making headway with Medipups

08:59 – Producing viral content that resonates

10:45 – An update on the Plug and Play program

13:26 – Sebastian’s cannabis venture

15:20 – A natural brand-builder

17:47 – Recapping recent food safety snafus with Barry McDonogh

20:33 – Proactive versus reactive approaches to food safety

23:45 – What makes Hinalea’s technology unique

25:33 – Insights from the Plug and Play program

27:10 – Balancing work, family, and personal health

34:46 – The importance of price parity with Daphne Preuss of Nataur

37:14 – Daphne’s advice for other founders

41:38 – From downtown Chicago to a small town in Maine

43:02 – Other interesting applications for microbial taurine

46:23 – Wrap-up and stay tuned!