Bridging the Valley of Death in Healthcare Innovation with Sam Libby

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE

Episode Overview: 

Healthcare investment banking has long followed a volume-driven, cookie-cutter model that prioritizes transactions over transformative outcomes. 

Our next guest, Sam Libby, is changing that paradigm as founder and President of TCB Capital Advisors. With over 30 transactions totaling more than $20 billion, Sam brings a mission-driven approach to underinvested healthcare areas like oncology, women's health, and neurodegenerative diseases. 

After experiencing healthcare's systemic inefficiencies firsthand during his own patient journey, Sam founded TCB to reject traditional banking models in favor of long-term partnerships that embed early with management teams. His unique three-vertical approach combines banking expertise, clinical advisory, and commercial operations to drive both patient impact and financial success. 

Join us to discover how Sam's stewardship mindset is empowering healthcare pioneers to scale life-changing innovations. Let's go!

Episode Highlights:

• Patient-First Philosophy: Sam emphasizes that healthcare professionals are "stewards that owe an obligation to the patient," maintaining focus on improving lives rather than just financial returns.
• Three-Vertical Approach: TCB Capital Advisors uniquely combines banking services, clinical/scientific advisory, and commercial operations to provide comprehensive support beyond traditional investment banking.
• Underinvested Healthcare Focus: The firm specifically targets neglected areas like oncology screening, neurodegenerative diseases, and women's health where innovation lags despite significant patient need.
• Real-World Patient Journey Experience: Sam's personal 10-month journey to reach a memory center despite having concierge care and good insurance highlighted systemic healthcare accessibility issues.
• Predictive Medicine Future: Sam sees AI-powered prognostic tools like Clarity's breast cancer risk assessment as the most promising innovation for identifying high-risk patients earlier and improving outcomes.

About our Guest: 

Sam Libby is the founder and President of TCB Capital Advisors, a firm he created to help healthcare companies scale their impact through strategic transactions and long-term growth planning. With a career spanning roles at premier firms like Piper Sandler and Ziegler, Sam brings deep expertise in M&A, capital markets, and private placements, having completed more than 30 deals totaling over $20 billion in transaction value.

Known for his hands-on, partner-oriented approach, Sam works closely with management teams to not only execute transactions but to position companies for enduring success. He has a particular focus on underinvested areas of healthcare—including oncology, women’s health, and neurodegenerative disease—and is passionate about supporting founders building scalable solutions with real-world impact.

Sam holds degrees in Finance and Accounting from Rutgers University, graduating summa cum laude.

Links Supporting This Episode: 

• TCB Capital Advisors Website: CLICK HERE
• Sam Libby LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE
• TCB Capital AdvisorsLinkedIn: CLICK HERE
• Mike...