Lessons in Innovation: Monash Students Meet Ricardo Garcia-Rosas, CEO of Virtetic

In startups, the journey from idea to impact is never a straight line. It’s a path filled with iterations, learning curves, and the constant challenge of balancing vision with execution.

Recently, students in the Technology & Innovation course at Monash University had the unique opportunity to meet Ricardo Garcia-Rosas, Co-Founder and CEO of Virtetic. His Company, Virtetic, is transforming the limb loss journey by creating a virtual recovery environment that fosters confidence, resilience, and limitless potential.

Virtetic: Transforming the Limb Loss Journey

This session was more than just an industry talk—it was a masterclass in early-stage startup development, focusing on problem discovery, iteration, and prioritisation.

Understanding the Problem Before Building the Solution

One of the key takeaways for students was the importance of deeply understanding the problem space before jumping into solution mode. Ricardo emphasised Virtetic’s success is rooted in listening to real user needs—not just assumptions—ensuring their virtual recovery platform truly supports both the physical and mental challenges of limb loss.

Too often, startups become obsessed with features, technology, or scaling too soon. Virtetic’s approach reinforced that great products emerge from solving meaningful problems and that the best innovation starts with empathy.

The Power of Iteration & Learning in Early-Stage Startups

Ricardo also shared insights into the importance of iteration in the startup process. Virtetic’s journey was not about launching a fully polished product from day one but about testing, learning, and adapting.

Students saw firsthand how an early-stage startup must:

✅ Continuously refine its solution based on real-world feedback.

✅ Prioritize what truly matters instead of getting lost in unnecessary features.

✅ Focus on the target audience—who the product is for and what value it creates for them.

This iterative mindset is critical for any startup looking to create real impact.

The Challenges of Raising Capital—& Why It Can Be a Distraction

Another eye-opening discussion was about fundraising, a topic many aspiring entrepreneurs fixate on. Ricardo highlighted the challenges of securing investment and how raising capital can sometimes distract startups from their core mission.

Key Lesson: Building a great product that solves a real problem should always come first.

Many startups fall into the trap of chasing investors instead of focusing on validating their products and building traction. Virtetic’s journey underscored that capital follows value—not vice versa.

Bigger Than Business: Creating Real Impact

Beyond the lessons in startup growth, what stood out most to students was Virtetic’s mission-driven approach. Their belief that the limb loss journey should be one of hope, confidence, and limitless potential is what fuels their innovation.