Curology is a company.
Curology has raised $19.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Curology.
Curology has raised $19.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Curology has raised $19.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Curology's investors include Accel, ACME Capital, AME Cloud Ventures, Cota Capital, Fontinalis Partners, Hardware Club, Pareto Holdings, Plug & Play Ventures, Quiet Capital, Recursive Ventures, SciFi VC, SignalFire.
Curology is a telemedicine skincare company that provides personalized, prescription-strength treatments for skin concerns like acne, rosacea, dark spots, and fine lines. Founded in 2014, it connects users with over 100 licensed dermatology providers who review photos and medical history to create custom formulas using ingredients such as tretinoin, azelaic acid, and clindamycin, making expert care accessible without in-office visits or high co-pays.[1][4][6] It serves millions of patients across all 50 U.S. states, addressing access barriers like dermatology deserts and insurance issues, and has achieved significant growth, reaching $200 million in revenue twice through telehealth and retail pivots.[2][4]
Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher, a dermatologist who, while practicing in New Mexico, observed patients struggling with long drives, insurance hurdles, and ineffective over-the-counter products for acne and other issues—realizing 90% of cases could be handled remotely via photos and custom prescriptions.[1][2][3] He partnered with his tech-savvy brother Glenn Lortscher and their mother, Dr. Nancy Satur, a board-certified dermatologist with decades of experience since 1976, initially launching as PocketDerm before rebranding.[1][2][5][7] Early days involved family collaboration, with Nancy joining part-time to refine the telemedicine and compounding model; Kris Fredrickson and Glenn also listed as co-founders.[5][7] Pivotal traction came from SEO content, referrals, and a COVID-era telemedicine boom, scaling from clinics to a national direct-to-consumer leader.[2][4]
Curology rides the telemedicine and direct-to-consumer health wave, democratizing dermatology amid shortages (e.g., "dermatology deserts") and rising demand for personalized care post-COVID.[1][2] Its timing capitalized on regulatory shifts allowing remote prescriptions and compounding, blending telehealth, AI-driven personalization, and eCommerce to disrupt a fragmented $100B+ skincare market dominated by one-size-fits-all brands.[2][3] By proving scalable virtual care for 90% of cases, it influences the ecosystem, inspiring hybrid models in other specialties and pushing incumbents toward customization and accessibility.[2][4]
Curology is poised to expand its lead in personalized skincare through ongoing innovation in formulas, provider networks, and retail channels, potentially integrating AI for faster consultations and broader conditions. Trends like telehealth normalization, consumer demand for science-backed personalization, and OTC expansions will fuel growth, evolving its influence from niche disruptor to mainstream skincare staple—echoing its origins in making expert care attainable for all.[3][4]
Key people at Curology.
Curology has raised $19.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $15.0M Series B in August 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2016 | $15.0M Series B | Accel, ACME Capital, AME Cloud Ventures, Cota Capital, Fontinalis Partners, Hardware Club, Pareto Holdings, Plug & Play Ventures, Quiet Capital, Recursive Ventures, SciFi VC, SignalFire, Tribe Capital, Trucks Venture Capital, U.S. Department of Energy, Y Combinator, David Marcus, Jawed Karim, Jeremy Yap, Shervin Pishevar, Tim Ferriss, Troy Carter | |
| Dec 1, 2014 | $4.0M Series A | Accel, ACME Capital, AME Cloud Ventures, Cota Capital, Fontinalis Partners, Hardware Club, Pareto Holdings, Plug & Play Ventures, Quiet Capital, Recursive Ventures, SciFi VC, SignalFire, Tribe Capital, Trucks Venture Capital, U.S. Department of Energy, Y Combinator, David Marcus, Jawed Karim, Jeremy Yap, Shervin Pishevar, Tim Ferriss, Troy Carter |
