Investing in Health

We are excited to take a lead investor role in a new business Firstcheck.  The Firstcheck opportunity is in the healthcare industry and utilises technology in the form of an app that allows users to take of a photo of spots on their skin which are then checked remotely by a dermatologist. Firstcheck was formally launched on November 14 after a year of development by co-founders Hayden Laird and Frank Lachmann.

Catalyst Capital principal David Taylor explains “this is a significant investment into an early stage business which has a unique, market leading offer. The harnessing of technology in a simple-to-use, cost-effective tool, will help with early detection of deadly skin cancers.  We are excited at the opportunities Firstcheck offers and also the scope to add other telemedicine features as the business develops”.

Interest in the telehealth company was high after invitations to attend the Asia Pacific Dermatology Conference in Australia, acceptance into a clinical study by a District Health Board, sponsorship to co-exhibit with the Ministry of Health at an international medical expo, and support from Melanoma New Zealand.

Laird said the $150,000 investment by Catalyst Capital was “huge” for the company, which was launched after a start-up weekend in Wellington last year.  “Now we’ll be able to add in further expertise and extend the reach of what we’re doing,” he said.

Firstcheck have also teamed up with Dr Tom Mulholland to take the app to people living on Chatham Islands where there are no skin specialist services.

Melanoma New Zealand CEO Linda Flay said Firstcheck was an exciting tool.  “It is promising to see the power of technology advancing to promote early detection of melanoma,” she said.

Recent Press commentary click here: