Innovation in dentistry depends on more than great ideas—it requires funding, mentorship, and the right network to bring those ideas to market. In this milestone 50th episode of The Technology Evangelist Podcast, host Dr. John Flucke sits down with Dr. Jeremy Krell, founder of Revere Partners, the first independent venture capital firm dedicated exclusively to oral health. Together, they discuss how dental startups are funded, what investors look for, and why dentistry is becoming an increasingly attractive space for innovation. This episode is brought to you by Medidenta Digital Solutions, the proud sponsor making this podcast possible.
Key Takeaways from Episode 50
An Entrepreneurial Mindset Before Dentistry
Long before entering dental school, Dr. Krell had already developed an entrepreneurial mindset.
As a student, he launched several small businesses that taught him valuable lessons about operations, marketing, and financial management. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a career that would eventually extend well beyond clinical dentistry.
After earning his dental degree and MBA, Dr. Krell practiced dentistry, built and sold practices, and held leadership positions with several successful healthcare startups before founding Revere Partners.
Why Dentistry Needed Its Own Venture Capital Firm
When Dr. Krell began working with startups, he noticed a recurring challenge: investors understood healthcare, but very few understood dentistry.
Many dental companies struggled to secure funding because traditional venture capital firms viewed dentistry as too niche or lacked enough market data to evaluate investment opportunities.
To solve that problem, Revere Partners was created as the first investment firm focused entirely on oral health innovation.
By collecting industry data and demonstrating the performance of dental startups, Revere helped establish dentistry as a legitimate investment category for institutional investors and entrepreneurs alike.
How Revere Partners Supports Innovation
Revere Partners primarily invests in companies that have moved beyond the concept stage and are beginning to scale commercially.
In addition to providing capital, the firm helps founders refine business strategy, build partnerships, raise additional funding, and navigate the path toward long-term growth.
Today, Revere has invested in dozens of dental technology companies spanning software, diagnostics, artificial intelligence, devices, and digital workflows, helping accelerate innovation across the profession.
Investing in Dentistry—for Dentists
One of Revere's most unique initiatives is the Doctors Fund, which gives practicing dentists an opportunity to invest directly in emerging dental technologies.
Rather than investing in unfamiliar industries, Dr. Krell believes clinicians should consider investing in the profession they understand best.
Beyond financial returns, participating dentists gain exposure to new technologies, opportunities to evaluate products before they reach market, and access to a growing network of innovators shaping the future of oral healthcare.
What Investors Look for in Founders
A successful startup is about much more than a good idea.
Dr. Krell explains that one of the most important qualities he evaluates is coachability. Founders who listen to feedback, adapt to changing conditions, and remain open to improving their products are far more likely to succeed than those who refuse to adjust their vision.
He also encourages entrepreneurs to avoid waiting for perfection. Launching a functional product, gathering feedback, and improving through iteration is often far more effective than delaying release in pursuit of an ideal solution.
Understanding the Road to Market
For dentists interested in developing new products, the discussion offers practical advice on navigating commercialization.
Dr. Krell emphasizes the importance of understanding regulatory pathways early, particularly when FDA approval is required. Building a successful company involves far more than product development—it also requires thoughtful planning around market strategy, reimbursement, funding, and commercialization.
While every innovation follows a different timeline, preparing for these challenges early can significantly improve the chances of long-term success.
Where Great Dental Ideas Come From
Many successful dental startups begin with clinicians solving problems they encounter every day.
Dr. Krell notes that most companies Revere evaluates have founders with firsthand dental experience or close connections to the profession. Their understanding of clinical workflows often gives them an important advantage when developing products that truly address unmet needs.
Occasionally, entrepreneurs from outside dentistry also enter the space after experiencing dental care themselves and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Bridging Research and Commercial Success
The episode also explores the gap between scientific discovery and commercial innovation.
Dr. Krell explains that promising research alone is rarely enough to build a successful company. Founders must also understand market demand, funding requirements, regulatory strategy, and how their product will ultimately reach clinicians and patients.
Balancing scientific excellence with sound business planning is essential for transforming ideas into real-world solutions.
Final Takeaway
Dr. Jeremy Krell has helped build something dentistry lacked for decades: an investment ecosystem dedicated entirely to oral health innovation.
His work through Revere Partners is helping connect entrepreneurs, clinicians, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate the development of technologies that improve patient care.
Whether you're a dentist with an idea, a startup founder seeking guidance, or a clinician interested in investing in the future of dentistry, this episode offers valuable insight into how innovation moves from concept to clinical reality.
Medidenta has been helping dentists deliver better care for over 80 years. As the home of CR-rated Prophy Magic—and your go-to for Prophy Magic bulk deals—we’re also your trusted source for digital dentistry and 3D Printing solutions. We’re proud to support innovation in practices everywhere. And don’t forget—this is also home of The Technology Evangelist Podcast, featuring Dr. John Flucke.