DNA of Success: Sequencing a $32M Dream - The Crash Course on Audacious Ambition with Kian Sadeghi

From Personal Tragedy to Genomic Vision

Kian Sadeghi’s journey began with a deep personal loss. When his cousin died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition, it ignited his passion to understand the secrets in our DNA. He left college and spent long days meditating, researching, and writing down ideas in his own room. This period of intense focus paved the way for Nucleus Genomics, a company dedicated to bringing full genetic insights to everyone.

Today, Nucleus Genomics has raised a total of 32 million dollars. In January 2025 the company secured 14 million dollars in its Series A round. Influential investors such as Alexis Ohanian and Founders Fund backed his vision. With the cost of genome sequencing dropping dramatically over the years, Kian believes his breakthrough can help millions of people make better health decisions.

An Unexpected Encounter in Silicon Valley

Last year, Arubana Retreat embarked on a transformative journey. As a small Caribbean startup, we took part in the virtual OECS Global Startup Hub and earned our place at Draper Hero Training in Silicon Valley. This intensive program lasted five weeks and was designed to prepare startups for acceleration.

While in Silicon Valley, our program invited several guest speakers, and one of them was Kian Sadeghi. During his seminar, I found myself puzzled. On stage, he appeared like a jittery kid, uncertain and hesitant. I did not understand why someone with his potential would come off so unpolished. Yet fate had a twist in store that very day.

I almost missed the lunch that was arranged afterward, but a late invite gave me a last minute seat right beside him. Sitting close to Kian turned out to be a turning point. In that intimate setting, I saw the man behind the public persona. He was humble and soft spoken, someone who cherished family above all else. Despite raising millions, he still lived at home with his parents, savoring the simple comfort of a home cooked meal and spending time with loved ones. His stories of taking friends to dinner and treasuring moments with family shattered my preconceptions.

A Lesson in True Confidence

During our lunch, I witnessed firsthand what investors see in a founder like Kian. He exuded a unique blend of ambition and gentle humility. It was clear that he did not take himself too seriously, yet every word he spoke carried meaning. He revealed that his true confidence came from a mixture of what he humorously called "delusion and skill" a willingness to believe in his ideas despite doubt and a relentless commitment to mastering his craft. He understood his worth even when the world might not, and that determination allowed him to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles.

Insights from a Transformative Lunch

Here are the key insights and takeaways that Kian shared, which have since become guiding principles for me as an entrepreneur:

• Active Endurance: True success comes from sustained, daily effort. Kian stressed the importance of being constantly engaged and committed, even when the journey feels endless.

• Confidence is Delusion and Skill: He explained that a healthy mix of bold, almost delusional self-belief, combined with real skill, is what drives breakthrough ideas.

• Soft Fundraising and Soft Pitching: Rather than aggressive tactics, he recommended a gentle approach when meeting potential investors. Start with firms that may seem less likely to invest. These meetings serve as practice sessions to refine your pitch and vision.

• Grants and Rejection Are Inevitable: Embrace the reality that rejection is a natural part of the process. Instead of being discouraged, use each "no" as feedback to improve your approach.

• Invest in People: Beyond numbers and metrics, look for partners who inspire you and who can add value through their own experience and network.

• Art is in the Details: Success lies in the small, thoughtful touches, perfect your cold email, do thorough research (spend two to three weeks on each potential investor), and pay attention to every nuance of your presentation.

• FOMO is Important: Create a sense of urgency. Make investors hungry for your ideas by conveying your passion and the potential impact of your vision.

• Understand Your Potential Investor: Get into the mind of each investor. Do your due diligence. The first group of investors will lead your round, so choose them wisely and use initial meetings to fine-tune your approach.

• Practice Makes Perfect: Use early meetings with lower-probability firms as opportunities to practice your pitch. In those first few weeks, every meeting is a chance to tweak and improve your vision.

• Red Flags in Investors: Be cautious of those who ask for your deck after a pitch, focus too narrowly on insignificant details, or ask excessive questions about every minor metric. These are signs that they may not have the strategic mindset you need.

A Shift in Perspective

That lunch with Kian was more than just a conversation. It was a revelation. I learned that true leadership is not always about a polished exterior. Instead, it comes from unwavering perseverance, deep personal conviction, and the ability to remain humble while dreaming big. Kian taught me that success in raising money and building a startup is as much about inner strength and self belief as it is about numbers and metrics.

His example showed me how to transform every setback into an opportunity for growth. The way he blended simplicity with brilliance, ambition with humility, taught me to reframe my own journey. In that moment, I finally understood what investors see in a founder: someone who does not take no for an answer and knows his worth even when the world does not.

The Journey Continues

Today, as I lead Arubana Retreat through our own challenges and triumphs, I carry with me the lessons I learned from that unforgettable lunch. I am now a YLAI 2025 fellow and preparing to begin my fellowship in Kansas City, Missouri. For those who may not be familiar, YLAI stands for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative. It is a prestigious program organized by the U.S. State Department that offers training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to emerging entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean. I will use the lessons Kian taught me, his emphasis on relentless endurance, thoughtful strategy, and heartfelt authenticity – to create real impact. In a world full of noise and doubt, his example reminds me that success is a delicate dance of persistence, passion, and the courage to be different.