Watch: This CEO Sold Her ‘Female Viagra’ Startup for $1 Billion. Here’s What She’s Learned


When you’re starting a company–especially when you’re a woman with a controversial product–you’re bound to face skepticism, and even ridicule. That was Cindy Eckert’s experience founding Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Addyi, a drug meant to increase libido in women. In 2015, immediately after Addyi received FDA approval, Eckert sold Sprout to Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion. (Valeant later sold the company back to former Sprout shareholders, and Eckert regained her CEO role.) She’s also an investor: In 2016, she founded The Pink Ceiling, a venture capital firm that invests in female-led businesses. She spoke to Inc. senior writer Christine Lagorio-Chafkin during Inc.‘s “Real Talk” streaming event on Tuesday. Watch the clips below for Eckert’s advice to entrepreneurs.

On what a “culture of ownership” really means:

On why your company’s values should be more than a few words written on the office wall:

On the importance of trusting your gut and acting quickly:

Why Eckert believes in bootstrapping your company at the beginning:

On the three ingredients for a successful pitch:

Eckert’s favorite strategy to win over naysayers:

Speak Your Mind

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get in Touch

350FansLike
100FollowersFollow
281FollowersFollow
150FollowersFollow

Recommend for You

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Subscribe and receive our weekly newsletter packed with awesome articles that really matters to you!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You might also like

Smart Factories: 3 Steps To Greater Resiliency On The...

By applying cutting-edge technologies like digital twins, it’s possible...

In A Pandemic, Transportation Ushers In A New Age...

COVID is pushing cities to quickly plan everything from pop-up bike lanes, temporary parklets,...

How Can I Make Team Meetings More Useful?

Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues--everything from how to...

Mike Richards Out As The Upcoming New Host Of...

In this screenshot released on June 25, Mike Richards accepts the award...