NYA FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT ‒ LAURA YECIES, OSTEOBOOST CEO

Laura Yecies, CEO of Osteoboost, is leading the commercialization of one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025: the first FDA-cleared, clinically proven, non-drug wearable device designed to slow bone loss in people with osteopenia. Previously, Laura has served as CEO of several venture-backed companies, bringing decades of experience scaling early-stage startups. In this interview, Laura discusses how her own experience with osteopenia fuels her passion for the company's mission, why founders must clearly define the problem before pitching a solution, and what investors should look for when evaluating medical device companies.

How did you first meet New York Angels?

I was introduced to New York Angels by one of my former board members and angel investors. We met with the group a couple of times, and then one of the members who was actually using our product helped deepen the relationship. It was a very natural progression that ultimately led to our partnership.

What were you looking for in investors when you were fundraising, and why did you choose to work with New York Angels?

We were looking to raise capital, but we were also looking for something more. We wanted a broad network of supporters and advocates who could help the company grow. New York Angels has incredibly involved members who bring a lot of expertise.

What was the fundraising process like for you overall?

It is an interesting time to be fundraising because so much attention is focused on AI. AI is exciting, but there are still problems that require physical solutions. In healthcare and orthopedics, we need to be able to directly improve people’s bones, and that cannot be done with just AI.  As a result, angel groups and investors with experience in healthcare and medical devices are the ones reaching out to us right now.

What have you enjoyed most about working with New York Angels?

The number of individuals who invested in Osteoboost have been incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and supportive throughout the process. Tom Hirschfeld, Elliot Decker, Esther Dyson, and others have been wonderful to work with. New York Angels is truly an exceptional group.

There is a tremendous amount of experience around the table. The diligence process is structured and efficient, which gives founders confidence that they are working with investors who understand how to evaluate companies thoughtfully.

What advice would you give other founders who are looking to fundraise?

Be really crisp about the problem you are solving. I have been CEO of several companies, and that is one consistent, critical factor. With Osteoboost, osteoporosis and osteopenia are problems people in our demographic immediately understand. It is a widespread, consequential, and personally relevant problem. Many founders become so immersed in their own perception of the problem that they assume everyone else sees it as clearly as they do. Start by making the problem obvious before explaining your solution.

What advice would you give early-stage investors who are looking to invest in companies like yours?

There are several key areas investors should evaluate carefully. First, is the foundational science compelling? Medical devices often require relatively expensive clinical trials, so the foundational scientific assumptions have to be very robust. As an angel, if you do not have expertise in the area, find ways to validate the science.

Second, understand the regulatory pathway. Does the founder have the experience or the right advisors to navigate FDA approval?

Finally, look closely at the commercial strategy. In our case, Osteoboost is a bit unique for medical devices.  Our go-to-market approach leans more toward the consumer side than traditional medical devices, and I think we will continue to see more companies taking that approach.

What has driven Osteoboost’s success?

One of the things that is unique about Osteoboost is that it offers a clinically proven, but non-pharmacological approach to improving bone health. Osteopenia and osteoporosis affect roughly 60 million Americans, making it both a common and serious health issue.

While pharmaceutical treatments exist, they are poorly adopted for a variety of reasons. People are looking for effective alternatives. Osteoboost is currently the only non-drug treatment that has successfully demonstrated both safety and efficacy through the FDA review process. Combined with strong intellectual property protection, it is very special to bring something like this to patients.

What is something interesting about you that you would like to share with founders or other investors?

My connection to Osteoboost is personal. I have osteopenia myself, along with a family history, so I am deeply passionate about what we are building. I have used the product, and my bone density has remained stable for the past five years.

Outside of work, I have four children and six grandchildren. I also play violin in the Stanford Medical School Orchestra, and I love cooking and spending time outdoors. My life stays very busy, especially with Osteoboost.

What motivates you?

To bring Osteoboost to market and help people. We recently reviewed feedback from patients who have been using Osteoboost    for more than a year, and many are reporting significant improvements in their DEXA scan results. Reading those emails sends shivers up my spine. That is why we are doing this. Knowing we are making a real difference in people's lives is incredibly motivating.

Bone health is finally part of the zeitgeist and getting the attention it deserves. With the attention on menopause and growing use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, people are becoming more aware of bone loss and the importance of maintaining bone health. For too long, this problem has been ignored.

I am passionate about empowering people, especially women, to get their bone density tested early and intervene before fractures occur. Avoiding fractures is one of the most important things we can do to support long-term healthy aging.