How Expert Advisors Can Drive Innovation And Trust

This expert opinion by Micha Breakstone, founder and CEO Of Somite.AI, was originally published on Inc.com.

The importance of a scientific advisory board (SAB) is often underestimated, but having one can be a game-changer when you’re aiming to lead in cutting-edge fields like biotech. I’m writing this in the high-energy aftermath of the inaugural SAB meeting of my company, Somite AI.

At Somite AI, our mission is to leverage AI to usher in a new age of human regeneration and repair. We’re reverse-engineering cell differentiation to master and control how cells differentiate, aiming to develop novel drugs. For the meeting, we brought together 11 of the world’s leading experts in stem cell biology and developmental biology, as well as industry luminaries, including scientific founders of some of the most impactful companies in the space.

Our advisors provided a framework for self-reflection, helped sharpen our competitive edge, reinforced our pedigree, and opened doors to future opportunities. We pay our SAB members their standard consulting fees (usually on an hourly basis) and, when possible, offer them a small equity stake in the company. All agreements are reviewed and subject to their affiliated institutions’ policies. Here’s how it works.

1. Self-reflection

An SAB pushes your team to constantly challenge assumptions and refine strategies. The process of preparing for and engaging with experts forces you to articulate your vision and question your approach—like holding up a mirror to your organization and ensuring you’re on the right track.

Our SAB confirmed that cell differentiation is a scientific challenge perfectly suited for AI. Despite the immense search space, the solution space is degenerate, as cell differentiation is governed by evolution. There’s a clear metric for success, making this problem well-defined. While high-quality data isn’t openly available, we have a clear path to generating the necessary data.

2. Competitive edge

Having leading scientists and industry experts on your SAB is a signal to competitors and the market. It shows that your company is serious about its mission and willing to engage with the best minds to achieve it—an unspoken declaration that you’re here to win.

More importantly, these experts bring fresh perspectives and novel ideas that can revolutionize your approach. Our SAB at Somite AI, for instance, identified several unexpected applications for our technology that we hadn’t considered, potentially saving us months of research time and millions in development costs.

3. Pedigree and trustworthiness

Investors, partners, and even future employees often look to your SAB as a proxy for your company’s credibility. A strong SAB lends weight to your claims and builds trust. People want to work with companies that attract top-tier advisors.

4. Opening doors

The connections that your SAB members bring can be invaluable. Whether it’s introductions to key stakeholders, access to unique resources, or insights into emerging trends, the doors opened by an SAB can accelerate your progress in ways you can’t predict.

Building an SAB isn’t just about assembling impressive resumes. It’s about creating a group of people who can amplify your vision, challenge your assumptions, and guide your strategy. If you’re in deep tech, the question isn’t whether you should have an SAB—it’s how soon you can build one, and get them all together in the room, at least once a year.