Anne Wojcicki co-founded 23andMe and basically brought genetic testing to the masses. Before 23andMe, if you wanted to know about your ancestry or genetic health risks, you were looking at expensive medical tests. She made it something you could do with a spit kit ordered online for under $200.
She grew up in the Bay Area, went to Yale where she studied biology, and then worked in healthcare investing on Wall Street. But the investment side wasn't enough for her. She wanted to build something. In 2006 she co-founded 23andMe with Linda Avey, and the company went on to become one of the biggest names in consumer genomics. Over 10 million people have used the service.
The road hasn't always been smooth. The FDA actually told 23andMe to stop marketing their health-related tests back in 2013, which was a massive setback. But Wojcicki pushed through the regulatory process and eventually got approval to offer health reports again. That kind of persistence in the face of government bureaucracy is honestly impressive.
As a guest shark on Shark Tank, Wojcicki brings a science and healthcare lens that's pretty rare on the panel. She understands biotech, she understands consumer products, and she's navigated some of the trickiest regulatory landscapes in business. If someone walks in with a health or science-based product, she's probably the most qualified person in the room to evaluate it.
Worth noting:
- Co-founded 23andMe, bringing consumer genetic testing mainstream
- Navigated FDA regulatory challenges to bring health reports back to market
- Over 10 million customers have used 23andMe's testing services
- Background in biology (Yale) and healthcare investing