Tiger BufordYour Orthopedic Industry Expert (free today)

Big Ortho experience does not translate to Small Ortho

29 May 2026 · 0 min

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0:21

Tiger Buford argues that veterans from Stryker, Zimmer, and Smith & Nephew struggle in orthopedic startups. They're used to big company resources and processes, he says, and lack the versatility and resourcefulness that early-stage companies demand.

If you've been at Stryker for a long time, you're completely useless. I mean, you are, you are, you are dead weight because you only know their system. You don't know how startups are, are hard, you know, and you gotta wear a lot more hats and there's no resources. You know, startups are hard. People from Stryker, Zimmer, Smith Nephew, if you've been there 10 years, 20 years, you are completely useless.

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