Summary
In this engaging episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce and Caleb Talley sit down with Daniel Marques, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Skin Check, to discuss his unique entrepreneurial journey and the innovative technology his team is bringing to digital healthcare. The episode opens with Daniel’s refreshingly candid take on entering the startup and medtech world with little prior experience, powered mostly by curiosity and grit. Raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and later moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daniel built bridges between both cultures and leveraged local gaps in care to inspire his entrepreneurial mission.
Skin Check stands at the cutting edge of healthtech, offering an end-to-end digital dermatology platform that expedites access to expert skin care and enables early detection of skin cancer—a disease for which early diagnosis is life-saving. With an app already boasting over one hundred and sixty-five users, Skin Check harnesses AI and computer vision for accurate screenings across all skin tones, making equity a priority both in design and delivery.
Daniel shares stories from his early ventures—including building vital medical devices during the COVID-19 ventilator shortage and founding university-based incubators—highlighting his passion for empowering underrepresented innovators. Throughout the episode, what stands out is Daniel’s commitment to democratizing healthcare access, particularly for rural and underserved communities. The discussion also covers the challenges of building a tech startup outside the typical Silicon Valley hubs and the power of community and perseverance. Listen in for inspiration, actionable insights, and a glimpse into the future of digital dermatology!
Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(03:42) Engineering Entrepreneurship in Ventilator Innovation
(08:35) How Community and Collaboration is Crucial
(15:10) Inclusive AI Technology for Skin Tones
(20:04) Asynchronous Teledermatology Services Model
(21:10) Innovation in Dermatology Services
(25:02) Rural Startup Success in Healthcare
(34:06) Closing Thoughts
Links
Connect with Us!
Do you consider yourself a startup junkie? Join the conversation by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Startup Junkie wants to come alongside these entrepreneurs every step of the way. Want to learn more about our services?
Keep listening
How a Dentist Grew a Telehealth Startup 1,200% with Dr. Maria Kunstadter
Toothaches are one of the top reasons people end up in the emergency room, where there’s no dentist to treat them. In this entrepreneur interview, Dr. Maria Kunstadter…
Show notes
How Cities Can Make Starting a Business Easier with Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn
Starting a small business is full of unknowns. Fayetteville's mayor says City Hall should be the one predictable part. In this entrepreneur interview, Molly Rawn, Mayor…
Show notes
How Small Businesses Can Win Defense Contracts with Chip Laingen
Small businesses, not the big defense primes, are where the Department of Defense is looking for its next breakthrough. Here's how to get noticed, and how to be ready…
Show notesNever miss an episode
New episodes and the best founder takeaways, straight to your inbox.
Looking for a specific guest or topic across the archive? Search every episode with CLIPr → or browse the library.
English 
Spanish 
Korean