Ignite Startups: Creating Impactful AI Healthcare Solutions with Susan Conover of Piction Health | Ep84

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite podcast, host Brian Bell interviews Susan Conover, the co-founder and CEO of Piction Health, an AI-powered virtual dermatology practice. Susan shares her journey from being a mechanical engineer to a healthcare entrepreneur driven by her personal battle with melanoma. Piction Health aims to provide accessible and efficient dermatological care using AI and a comprehensive database of skin, hair, and nail conditions. Susan's vision is to solve the end-to-end problem for patients by diagnosing, treating, and prescribing remotely, especially for those struggling to access dermatologists due to long wait times and economic barriers. Susan discusses the inception of Piction Health, highlighting the challenges of finding a co-founder and building a team. Interestingly, she met her co-founder in an improv class, which she believes fostered a creative and supportive environment essential for a startup. The company initially focused on connecting patients with doctors but pivoted to enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of primary care physicians through AI. This shift was driven by the need to address the broader issue of delayed dermatological care and was further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the acceptance of remote healthcare solutions. Throughout the conversation, Susan emphasizes the importance of building a robust database to train their AI, partnering with dermatologists globally to ensure diversity in skin tones and conditions. Piction Health's approach has enabled dermatologists to manage significantly more cases than traditional methods, addressing the severe shortage of dermatologists in the U.S. The company's next steps involve expanding their services across all 50 states and potentially internationally, ensuring that expert dermatological care is accessible to everyone. The episode concludes with a discussion on fundraising, where Susan shares her strategies and experiences. She advises entrepreneurs to start with smaller commitments and iterate on their pitch, highlighting the importance of running a structured process. Susan's insights into the healthcare startup ecosystem, combined with her personal story and professional journey, provide valuable lessons for aspiring founders and innovators in the healthcare space. Chapters: 00:00 - 01:18 - Introduction 01:19 - 04:08 - Susan's Background and Journey 04:09 - 07:35 - Founding Piction Health 07:36 - 11:22 - AI and Data Collection 11:23 - 14:17 - Pivoting and Growth 14:18 - 17:12 - Challenges of Finding a Co-Founder 17:13 - 20:01 - Scaling Virtual Care 20:02 - 23:02 - Fundraising Insights 23:03 - 26:28 - Future Vision for Piction Health 26:29 - 30:01 - Importance of Mentorship and Networks 30:02 - 33:17 - Proactive Healthcare and Technology 33:18 - 35:29 - Rapid Fire Questions 35:30 - 38:40 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information