SkinVision makes skin care accessible and affordable worldwide

SkinVision was founded in 2012 through a collaboration between doctors, researchers and mathematicians. Their goal was clear: to detect skin cancer using technology. The Amsterdam-based company developed a medical service that uses artificial intelligence to support the early detection of skin cancer. Erik de Heus has been CEO since 2017. Under his leadership, SkinVision has evolved into a digital dermatology clinic that is accessible anytime, anywhere.

Users take a photo of a skin lesion with their smartphone, after which AI analyses the image within seconds and provides an assessment. In more complex cases, dermatologists review the images and provide professional advice within 40 hours. “The app does not diagnose,” says De Heus, “but it helps people determine whether visiting a doctor is necessary. Because users remain in control of their own checks, the app reduces uncertainty and provides peace of mind.”

SkinVision directly addresses major societal challenges. “With the enormous staff shortages in healthcare, these are exactly the kinds of innovations we need,” says Mark van Kampen, Sector Manager Tech, Media & Telecom at Rabobank. “By digitising routine checks, healthcare professionals can focus on complex care cases. At the same time, it reduces pressure on the healthcare system. That results in higher labour productivity and better quality of care.”

SkinVision’s impact now extends far beyond the Netherlands. The app has millions of users in countries including Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Argentina. In the Netherlands, SkinVision works with health insurers such as CZ, Nationale Nederlanden and Zilveren Kruis, which offer the app free of charge to their members. This has resulted in European MDR Class IIa certification and a substantial medical data set.

Every year, nearly 80,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. This increase is largely driven by demographic trends and repeated exposure to the sun and sunbeds. Effective primary prevention is essential to slow this rise. Giving people more control over their own skin checks reduces unnecessary visits to healthcare specialists. At the same time, more data enables increasingly accurate and targeted advice.

Making skin care accessible and reliable for everyone is one of SkinVision’s key objectives. Inclusivity across skin types plays an important role in achieving this. “At present, we can serve skin types 1 to 4 almost completely using AI,” says De Heus. “For skin types 5 and 6, we are participating in global studies so that we can better support these groups in the future. The incidence of skin cancer in these skin types is lower than in types 1 to 4, but it is often more dangerous because the spots are less visible and their development is harder to detect.”

For its next phase of growth, SkinVision is focusing on expansion into the United States. This step requires substantial investment. A shareholder introduced De Heus to Rabobank’s Startup & Scale-up team, where Marc Kok, Account Manager Large Corporates at Rabobank, immediately recognised the potential. “SkinVision was already in discussions with a major clinic in the United States and was looking for financing to support this expansion. In the US, the threshold for visiting a doctor is often high because of the private healthcare system. Millions of people are uninsured or underinsured. By investing in innovative healthcare solutions, we contribute to a future-proof global healthcare system in which preventive care is scalable and healthcare costs remain manageable.”

Rabobank’s Startup & Scale-up team is supporting SkinVision with a financing round of three million euros, structured in two phases and aligned with the company’s future plans. For this type of financing, Jos van Zante, Start and Scale-up Banker, evaluated not only historical performance but also future growth scenarios. “The financing is linked to clear milestones, enabling SkinVision to scale up in a controlled and responsible way,” says Van Zante. De Heus appreciates this approach. “Rabobank actively contributed ideas and helped us establish a structure that supports our long-term growth.”

The partnership with SkinVision demonstrates how Rabobank supports start-ups and scale-ups that create meaningful impact. In addition to financing, the bank contributes knowledge and an extensive international network. Through sector specialists and global entrepreneurial networks, SkinVision gains access to valuable experience in operating within the US healthcare market. This combination of financial solutions, sector expertise and a strong network forms the foundation of Rabobank’s approach.

SkinVision’s ambition is clear: to reduce the number of people dying from skin cancer worldwide by 50 percent. With Rabobank as its partner, the scale-up is taking major steps towards achieving that mission. De Heus concludes: “We want SkinVision to be top of mind whenever someone notices a suspicious spot on their skin. Just picking up your phone can make all the difference.”

Start-ups and scale-ups are the innovators of the economy, contributing significantly to solving societal challenges, and are the main engine for economic growth and employment in the Netherlands. This target group therefore represents great commercial and strategic value for Rabobank. The Startup & Scale-up Team helps entrepreneurs who share this mission to grow sustainably by opening up their (international) network, by providing knowledge and funding. Request an advice.