This Founder Started A Company To Save His Son's Life | David Apple (Dad of 2, Shark Tooth Biotech)

Startup Dad

David Apple is the Founder of Shark Tooth Biotech, a company focused on developing treatments for CMT 1A, a rare genetic disease affecting his oldest son. Previously an executive at Typeform, Notion, and Zingtree, David stepped away from startup life to become his son’s full-time advocate.

He’s also a father of two, a board member of the CMTA, and a first-time children’s book author. We talked about:

• Leaving tech to prioritize advocacy: Why David chose to walk away from a successful career to support his son through a difficult diagnostic journey.
• Facing resistance in the medical system: What it took to push past early dismissals from doctors and finally get answers through genetic testing.
• Shifting expectations of fatherhood: How caring for a child with CMT changed David’s perception of strength, patience, and what it means to be a parent.
• Building a purpose-led biotech company: What inspired David to launch Shark Tooth and how he’s working to fill a critical research gap for CMT 1A.
• Protecting presence over legacy: Why David believes being present with his kids outweighs any long-term pursuit of recognition or success.
• Frameworks for family and marriage: From structured “me time” to clear communication tools, David shares the systems that help him stay grounded.

Where to find David Apple

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appledavid/
• X: https://x.com/davidcapple
• Shark Tooth Biotech: https://www.sharktooth.bio/

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
• Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing David Apple
(03:58) Leaving a CRO role to advocate full-time
(06:13) Getting real answers through genetic testing
(11:20) Misconceptions about being a stay-at-home parent
(14:27) How CMT shaped Ari’s creative side
(16:39) Using AI tools and finding support
(22:50) Why CMT research remains underfunded today
(27:12) Creating Shark Tooth Biotech with real purpose
(32:14) Advocacy matters more than expert opinions
(39:55) Letting go of legacy, focusing now
(44:04) Turning life’s obstacles into personal growth

(46:35) Lightning round

Show references:

CMT 1A: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1245/charcot-marie-tooth-disease-type-1a

Typeform: https://www.typeform.com/

Notion: https://www.notion.com/

Zing Tree: https://zingtree.com/

UCSF: https://www.ucsf.edu/

Stanford: https://www.stanford.edu/

https://chatgpt.com/

CMTA: https://www.cmtausa.org/

Animal Yoga by Flowerpot Press, Brian Fitzgerald (Illustrator): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-yoga-flowerpot-press/1143842943

Cystic Fibrosis: https://www.cff.org/

https://www.tiktok.com/en/

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Neil deGrasse Tyson: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395695/

Paul Campillo: https://paulcampillo.com/

Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNOIQ2

Momcozy Convertible Double Stroller: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJXX76MN

Marine Layer: https://www.marinelayer.com/

Coco Melon: https://www.cocomelon.com/

Bluey: https://www.bluey.tv/

Les Visiteurs: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108500/

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