The future of online medicine is here, and it is called Gadaca. This digital founded by the Bilbao-born engineer Juan Láriz connects users with doctors and specialists through an innovative and unconventional digital platform. He chose the name Gadaca because it is pronounced the same in Spanish, English and French. This young professional started by saying that "entrepreneurs build things and that's exciting", before explaining the multiple growth channels involved in his business model. "We have a reputation of being the best in the field and we strive to keep one step ahead".
An engineer at Siemens and consultant at Breaking Point and The Boston Consulting Group, Juan Láriz has also worked in the insurance sector as a Country Manager at Facile Italia and the comparison site Acierto, where he discovered the opportunities offered by health insurance. This led him to found Gadaca, which he describes as "a solution for patients, hospitals and insurers".
Digital transformation, big data and the widespread use of smartphones present an opportunity for his entrepreneurial venture, because "online access will increase the use of medicine and, in 2025, there will be as many online consultations as in-person appointments in the USA" explained Lári, adding that "many of them are resolved with a single consultation".
Gadaca is a comprehensive tool that combines personal care with the digital environment. In addition, the interface incorporates information accessible to people with reduced mobility, subtitles, access to reports, medical records, appointments, supervision of children, security and privacy, continuous monitoring, alarms for medication, prescriptions, interoperability and hardware. The platform is based on a sharing economy model ensuring high-quality personalized healthcare.
Juan Láriz set up Gadaca with a friend who is an IT technician. Having passed through the family and friends stage, the product has been tested and they are now looking for more professional clients.
Learning about entrepreneurship
Founded in 2017, this startup is in the full throes of development. "In February 2018, we created our MVP and, in 2019, we plan to have 10 million customers connected". Besides the data side of things, Juan Láriz emphasized that managing the emotional side is challenging "and that's when I haven't had a bad experience". He also highlighted the overwhelming sense of walking along a tightrope. "Launching an entrepreneurial venture is a roller coaster. One day you are up and the next you are right back down".
At the EAE Lab incubator, Juan Láriz shared his experience as an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of identifying opportunities. "I advise you to identify opportunities in a field related to your professional area. Start with something you know and look for a sector that offers business opportunities". In addition, he explained that improving a few details of something that already exists is often enough.
The founder of Gadaca advocates the benefits of people's support. "I am a big believer in the sharing economy", he explained, adding that he advises against subcontracting technological functions, "except perhaps in the case of small developments". In terms of competition, in his opinion, it is a good thing. "You need competition to create a new trend. Competition is good".
The online medical sector is still untapped, as there is little legislation in the field. "Diagnosis by video consultation is so innovative that there is a great deal of progress to be made in that respect", explained Juan. Moreover, insurance firms are still not committed to this business model. There is still a long road ahead.
