We are highlighting Tano Pharmaceuticals as our Alumni Spotlight of the month! We spoke with co-founders Branson Berger and Sean Finney to hear more about their experience at McCombs and TVL, and the story of Tano Pharmaceuticals.
What is Tano Pharmaceuticals?
Tano Pharmaceuticals is developing a compact and effective first-aid solution for extreme outdoor enthusiasts. Traditional first-aid gear is bulky and heavy, making it challenging to carry while engaging in outdoor activities. Our solution utilizes the healing properties of banana sap to create the first-ever natural multipurpose first-aid and wound treatment products. With our product, adventurers can be better prepared without carrying unnecessary weight.
What are some of the most important takeaways you gained from your time with TVL, and how have you applied them to your personal and professional life?
Sean & Branson: Texas Venture Labs has been a vital source of academic and experiential learning, entrepreneurial mentorship, and financial support. We first pitched Tano Pharmaceuticals at the Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition (TVLIC) in December 2022 which gave us push we needed to pursue the company full-time. After a few months of work, we pitched again this past Spring and made it to the finals, taking home third place in the competition against a really strong pool of startups.
TVL taught us to jump-in headfirst, to leverage the vast resources of the UT Austin ecosystem, and it taught us the entrepreneurial and business fundamentals needed to transform an idea into a business. The unbiased feedback from all of the judges has helped tremendously in turning Tano from an idea into an actual company.
What program(s) were you involved in with TVL, and what was your favorite part about it/them?
Sean & Branson: We were both involved in TVLIC and the TVL Practicum. We were just accepted to the Student Entrepreneur Acceleration and Launch (SEAL) Program and applied for the TVL Startup Fellows Founders Track for the summer cohort. Our favorite part about TVLIC is interacting with the judges. They bring a wealth of knowledge and offer critical feedback. The feedback we received from our first TVLIC experience informed the steps we took to develop Tano over the next four months prior to pitching at TVLIC again this spring. The progress we made allowed us to finish in 3rd place! As students in the Texas Venture Labs Practicum, we had the opportunity to work with and help two passionate founders develop their business models, conduct market research, and create fundraising strategies. We both loved learning how other founders think and then attempt to apply their line of questioning to problems we are solving at Tano.
What inspired you to get interested in the entrepreneurship and startup world?
Branson: Before McCombs, I was a Marine Corps Officer. I learned valuable leadership and analytical skills that I knew could be applied to any facet of business. I was attracted to entrepreneurship for two reasons. First, I wanted to creatively apply strategic thinking and not be constrained by the processes of larger organization. And second, I wanted to build a purposeful culture and company that made me and the future employees of Tano excited to come to work every day, just as the military did for me.
Sean: I have always been drawn towards entrepreneurship, but being that I was in the military for 7 years, I wasn’t able to pursue it until now. Being at McCombs has allowed me the time and space to really pursue it for the first time in my life. What draws me to it is the potential for freedom, to do something meaningful, and to build something that can make the world better. I like to challenge myself and there is no quicker way than starting your own company to force you outside your comfort zone. I also care a lot about culture and with entrepreneurship, I can be the one setting that culture to create a great team that accomplishes amazing things. There’s an old saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” To me, entrepreneurship is a way of doing both and has been incredibly fulfilling.
What is your favorite place to grab tacos in Austin?
Branson: Tough question! Pueblo Viejo and Flitch is a great spot to go to on a sunny morning!
Sean: Having three kids, I don’t get out to most of the popular taco spots as much as I’d like but down near my area in SW Austin, we love to get tacos from Taco Deli or Flores Mexican restaurant
How can we purchase Tano products?