The 8 Archetypes
The Eight Archetypes of Life Science Entrepreneurs
Every life science venture is shaped not only by strategy and science – but by the personalities of those leading the way.
The Eight Archetypes of Life Science Entrepreneurs™ is a framework designed to spark awareness and conversation around how founder traits influence a company’s ability to scale. Inspired by Jungian archetypes and grounded in real-world observations, this model introduces eight distinct entrepreneurial personas commonly found in life science startups and scaleups.
From the technical precision of The Engineer to the disruptive energy of The Anarchist, each archetype brings unique strengths—and potential shadow sides—that can either drive or derail scaling efforts if not acknowledged.
Understanding these archetypes helps leadership teams:
- Recognize how personalities shape decisions and team dynamics
- Identify potential gaps or overlaps in founder teams
- Support more balanced, resilient scaleup journeys
- Build language around alignment, delegation, and leadership development
As your company scales, self-awareness and complementary leadership become just as critical as strategy. This framework provides a starting point.
Explore the archetypes below – and consider which ones shape your team.
Want to dig deeper?
Each archetype comes with distinct traits that influence how entrepreneurs lead, decide, and scale. Explore their key traits, as well as the strengths they bring—and the shadow sides to watch out for—as your company grows.
The Engineer
The technical problem solver who builds with precision — but may overlook the market.
The Marketeer
The energetic executor who thrives on customer contact—but may rush past the details.
The Clinician
The patient-focused doer who brings real-world urgency—but may resist rules.
The Scientist
The deep thinker who pushes innovation—but may get stuck in the lab.
The Caring Activist
The mission-driven founder with unstoppable passion—but limited experience.
The Anarchist
The fearless rule-breaker who moves fast—but may burn bridges and skip compliance.
The Corporate Suit
The process-minded leader who brings structure—but may struggle to adapt.
The Serial Entrepreneur
The seasoned founder who blends archetypes—learning from every past venture.