Precisionary Instruments started a revolution about two decades ago in the medical research space that has since transformed how scientists analyze existing and soon-to-be-discovered health challenges. The company built an innovative vibratome that is significantly more efficient than its contemporaries.
Since then, it's been one giant stride after another. In this exclusive interview, co-founder George Kong shares with EO Boston how he and his father built from the ground up. He also shares pivotal experiences that brought him to this point. Read on!
Tell Us About Yourself
I graduated from Brown University with a double major in computer science and international relations and later earned my MBA at Berkeley. My entrepreneurial journey started in 2008 when I joined Aster Data, a pioneering big data startup.
After Aster was acquired by Teradata, I was sent to China to build their Big Data Business Unit from scratch, which I successfully ran for four years. Following that, I led a couple of data/AI-related startups in China before relocating back to the U.S. during COVID.
Now, I’m running Precisionary Instruments, a life science equipment company that I co-founded with my dad in 2004. We focus on innovating tools for research in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases, making a real impact in the scientific community.
How Did You Develop the Idea to Start Precisionary Instruments?
My father and I started Precisionary Instruments 20 years ago. The company developed the vibratome—a laboratory device that's essentially like a meat slicer but for delicate scientific research.
Our vibratome plays a crucial role in cutting-edge research, allowing scientists to slice soft tissues like the brain, heart, and lungs into sections thinner than a human hair—less than 10 microns. What’s remarkable is that this process keeps the cells alive, which is critical for researchers working on finding cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even lung conditions like COVID-19.
The inspiration for our product came from a unique moment. My father, a scientist and the mastermind behind our product designs, was frustrated with the devices on the market at the time. While cutting meat one day, he had a spark of inspiration—and that’s how our patented vibratome technology was born.
Over the years, we’ve secured several patents that set our device apart, allowing us to continuously support laboratories across the globe in groundbreaking research. It’s been an incredible journey of innovation, and I’m excited to share it with you all!
What Influenced You to Try Entrepreneurship?
I caught the entrepreneurial bug soon after college, and that journey has been anything but smooth. It all started when I was living in Silicon Valley, back before the first iPhone was even released. We attempted to build a location-based social network—something similar to WeChat in China—but using pure text messages.
It was an ambitious project, and like many early ventures, it didn’t quite pan out in the end. When you live in Silicon Valley, it’s almost impossible not to get infected by the entrepreneurial bug. Everyone around you is starting their own companies, experimenting with ideas, and trying to change the world.
The environment there fosters a sense of possibility. Though that first venture didn’t succeed, it taught me some incredibly valuable lessons about teamwork, product-market fit, and, perhaps most importantly, market timing.
Those early experiences shaped my entrepreneurial mindset, helping me understand that failure isn’t the end but a stepping stone to something greater. Every venture has been a learning experience, and those lessons have carried over to my work today.
What Have Been Your Greatest Challenges and Successes in Business?
I’d like to think my greatest successes and challenges are still ahead of me. That said, to date, my biggest success has been guiding a manufacturing big data startup, where I served as CEO, to double its revenue annually for two consecutive years. On top of that, I led the company through an additional round of funding that quadrupled its valuation—those were thrilling times.
But my greatest challenge, by far, has been working alongside my dad at Precisionary Instruments. Running a business with a family member is tough. Add to that the fact that our executive team is remote and that we often don’t see eye to eye on fundamental business principles, and it becomes even more complicated.
For instance, while my dad doesn’t fully trust my decisions because I don’t have a biology background, I’ve found his dismissive attitude towards marketing and sales to be a constant source of frustration. And, unlike most business partnerships, you can’t exactly fire your partner when he’s your dad (or your son, for that matter).
Things got so difficult that I actually had to step away from Precisionary for three years between 2009 and 2012. It took a lot of compromises, tough conversations, and reflection for me to come back and lead the business again. But through this grueling journey, I believe I’ve gained my dad’s respect and trust.
And, in return, I’ve come to fully appreciate the heart and soul he’s poured into the business. That mutual respect has made all the difference and is probably one of my proudest achievements.
How Do You Network With Other Entrepreneurs?
I’ve found that the way I network with other entrepreneurs has changed depending on where I was living and what stage of life I was in. When I was in Silicon Valley, the networking scene was vibrant—there were startup organizations and events happening all the time.
Honestly, if I had wanted to, I could have attended an event every single day. It was a fast-paced environment where everyone was constantly sharing ideas and looking for the next big thing. In China, it was a bit different. Networking often revolved around food.
Entrepreneurs would gather for dinners and have long, meaningful conversations over meals. Businesses and relationships were built around the table, and those connections felt more personal. Since moving back to the States after COVID, my priorities have shifted.
I’ve been spending a lot more time with my family—coaching my kids’ soccer team, taking them to piano lessons, and just being more present. Because of that, I took a bit of a step back from active networking. But recently, I’ve started to venture out again.
I joined EO Boston, which has been a great way to connect with other entrepreneurs in a structured way. It feels like the right balance now—getting back into the entrepreneurial community while still keeping time for family.
Who Have Been Your Strongest Mentors?
I’ve had many mentors along the way, but the one who had the biggest impact on me was my entrepreneurship professor at Berkeley when I was doing my MBA. Before taking his class, my first startup was a lot of trial and error. Even though I had read several books on entrepreneurship, there was still a lot of stumbling through the process.
What really set my professor apart was how he brought structure and order to the entire startup journey. He helped me create a clear mental map of what’s needed for different types of businesses, which gave me a much better foundation to work from.
It wasn’t just theory—his guidance provided real-world frameworks that I could apply to each venture, no matter the industry. Looking back, his mentorship was a turning point for me, helping me refine my approach and think more strategically about my entrepreneurial path.
What Benefits Have You Received From EO Boston?
I joined EO Boston because I was looking for a community of people running businesses similar in size to mine, where I could be open about the challenges I face and get honest, practical feedback and ideas. I wanted a space where I could connect with others who understand the unique pressures of entrepreneurship.
One of the most impactful experiences so far has been the masterclass on time optimization and using AI. The lessons from that class have already had a noticeable effect on how I run my team.
For example, we’ve started implementing Zero Inbox, which has really helped streamline communication, and we’re using Trello much more proactively to manage our tasks and keep everyone aligned. What’s been especially exciting is how we’re getting better at incorporating AI into our workflow.
It’s been a game-changer in terms of efficiency and how we approach certain processes. Overall, EO Boston has given me tools and strategies that are already making a difference in the day-to-day operations of my business, and I’m looking forward to learning even more.
What’s on the Horizon for You?
Looking ahead, my goal is to grow Precisionary Instruments to be the number one in our category within the next five years. It’s an ambitious goal, especially given that we’re up against some real industry giants, but I’m constantly energized by how much our customers value what we offer.
Every time we attend a conference or have conversations over the phone, we get heaps of praise for our products and services—it’s incredibly motivating. The support from our customers keeps me pushing forward, knowing that we’re on the right path. I’m excited about what’s next and confident that, with the right focus, we can continue to innovate and rise to the top.
What’s the Best Piece of Advice You Can Give to Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs?
The best advice I can give is this: don’t try to be everything to everyone. It’s tempting to want to cover all bases and please every potential customer, but that approach often leads to mediocrity.
Instead, pick one differentiator—something that your customers truly care about and that your competition doesn’t do well—and focus on perfecting it. Keep honing that strength until it sets you apart.
If you try to excel in everything, you’ll end up being truly good at nothing. But by concentrating on what really matters and doing it better than anyone else, you’ll create real value and stand out in the market.
Join EO Boston and Grow Your Business
George Kong shared how relevant networking is for sharing ideas and finding practical solutions to unique business problems. While you can overcome many challenges yourself, it gets easier if you connect with other experienced business leaders and leverage the resources at their disposal.
EO Boston helps you achieve this and so much more. If you're looking for the best entrepreneur organization for peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and meaningful business connections, join EO Boston today!
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