2025 In sight.
The Next Phase: Lessons in Vision, Responsibility, and the Harsh Realities of Tech Entrepreneurship
The journey of a tech entrepreneur is often painted as one of unbridled innovation and success, but the reality is far more complex. It’s a path filled with exhilarating highs, brutal lows, and countless lessons learned the hard way. As we step into the next phase of life and business, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been, the lessons we’ve learned, and the exciting opportunities on the horizon.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Romano Toscano, a tech entrepreneur with a passion for building impactful solutions in the healthcare and AI space. Over the past few years, I’ve faced the rollercoaster of startup life firsthand—navigating rapid growth, hard decisions, and the occasional stumble. Today, I want to share some insights from this journey and talk about what’s coming next.
Lessons Learned: The Power of Vision
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is the importance of vision. Vision is more than just a statement or a goal—it’s the guiding principle that defines every decision you make, from the people you hire to the partnerships you form.
A misaligned vision can be catastrophic. I’ve experienced firsthand how working with people who don’t share your perspective can slow progress and create unnecessary friction. Whether it’s collaborating with a team that’s not playing in the same field or involving investors whose priorities conflict with your mission, these missteps have taught me a vital lesson: success requires alignment.
A recent example from our journey involved a supposed business partner who developed a health app that lacked validation from key platforms like Apple. While we weren’t directly responsible for the app, this experience highlighted the risks of partnering with teams that don’t meet critical industry standards. These hurdles not only slow down progress but also underscore the importance of aligning with partners who share our commitment to quality and innovation.
More on this exciting development will follow soon, but it’s a reminder of why shared vision and a clear strategy are essential to building something sustainable.
Taking Responsibility
At the end of the day, everything comes back to one person: me. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that the vision is clear, the execution is seamless, and the decisions are sound. When things go wrong—and they sometimes do—it’s my job to own the outcomes and make things right.
I also realize that along the way, not everyone has been left happy or fulfilled. There are open books and unresolved chapters that I deeply regret. These experiences weigh on me, but they also drive me to learn and improve. I hope that in the coming months, we’ll pave the way for a more thoughtful, aligned, and forward-looking path.
The Harsh Realities of Health Tech
The tech world, especially in healthcare, is unforgiving. Balancing innovation with practical implementation is no easy feat. The recent closure of Go Forward is a sobering example of this.
After raising $650 million, Go Forward shut down due to a fundamental imbalance—investing too heavily in technology without staying focused on patient care. I admired their vision and was a proud member of their pod on Madison Avenue in New York. Their concept was revolutionary, and their closure is a poignant reminder of the fine line we walk in this industry.
For me, their story is a lesson in staying grounded, even while chasing ambitious goals. Health tech isn’t just about creating groundbreaking technology; it’s about meeting real-world needs and creating tangible value for the people we serve.
What’s Next for Romano Toscano and Our Company
Despite the challenges, I’m incredibly optimistic about what lies ahead. We’ve learned from our mistakes, refined our vision, and aligned ourselves with people and projects that truly resonate with our mission.
The next phase will be about building validated, impactful solutions in health tech, expanding our global footprint, and creating a company culture rooted in trust, accountability, and shared purpose. While I can’t reveal all the details just yet, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and I look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.
A Note of Gratitude
To everyone who has supported this journey—whether you’ve been a partner, team member, or simply a reader of this blog—thank you. Your encouragement and feedback have been invaluable, and I’m excited to take you along as we continue to grow and evolve.
I also want to acknowledge those who may have been impacted by our missteps along the way. Your patience, understanding, and honesty have been vital, and I hope to rebuild any bridges that may have been strained.
Stay tuned for more updates as we push forward into this new chapter. As always, your thoughts and feedback are welcome, so feel free to reach out or share your own entrepreneurial lessons in the comments.
Here’s to the next phase!
Warm regards,
Romano Toscano