This Founder Started A Company To Save His Son's Life | David Apple (Dad of 2, Shark Tooth Biotech)
David and I discuss leaving his job to advocate for his son, building a purpose-led biotech company, protecting presence over legacy and frameworks for family and marriage
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🎧 Listen now: Apple | Spotify | Youtube | Website 🎧David Apple is the Founder of Shark Tooth Biotech, a company focused on developing treatments for CMT 1A, a rare genetic disease affecting his oldest son. Previously an executive at Typeform, Notion, and Zingtree, David stepped away from startup life to become his son’s full-time advocate. He’s also a father of two, a board member of the CMTA, and a first-time children’s book author. We talked about:
Leaving tech to prioritize advocacy: Why David chose to walk away from a successful career to support his son through a difficult diagnostic journey.
Facing resistance in the medical system: What it took to push past early dismissals from doctors and finally get answers through genetic testing.
Shifting expectations of fatherhood: How caring for a child with CMT changed David’s perception of strength, patience, and what it means to be a parent.
Building a purpose-led biotech company: What inspired David to launch Shark Tooth and how he’s working to fill a critical research gap for CMT 1A.
Protecting presence over legacy: Why David believes being present with his kids outweighs any long-term pursuit of recognition or success.
Frameworks for family and marriage: From structured “me time” to clear communication tools, David shares the systems that help him stay grounded.
Where to find David Apple
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appledavid/
X: https://x.com/davidcapple
Shark Tooth Biotech: https://www.sharktooth.bio/
Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing David Apple
(03:58) Leaving a CRO role to advocate full-time
(06:13) Getting real answers through genetic testing
(11:20) Misconceptions about being a stay-at-home parent
(14:27) How CMT shaped Ari’s creative side
(16:39) Using AI tools and finding support
(22:50) Why CMT research remains underfunded today
(27:12) Creating Shark Tooth Biotech with real purpose
(32:14) Advocacy matters more than expert opinions
(39:55) Letting go of legacy, focusing now
(44:04) Turning life’s obstacles into personal growth
(46:35) Lightning round
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