A Miami medical device company just let its own users become its investors. More than $1 million came in before the round even closed.
DermaSensor raised a $5 million Series B extension this week. Alongside institutional and strategic investors, the company opened a companion round on Wefunder open to physicians and patients directly.
Why DermaSensor Opened the Round to Everyone
Wefunder lets ordinary investors put in $250 or more at the same terms as the institutional round. DermaSensor says just over $1 million has already come in through that channel.
"Our professional investor partners have supported us through every phase of building this new medical device category," said Cody Simmons, DermaSensor's co-founder and CEO. "We want the people closest to it to have a seat at the table."
Simmons sees a practical upside beyond capital. "If we have a thousand micro-investors talking to their doctors about the device, that could be really powerful," he told Refresh Miami.
What the Device Actually Does
DermaSensor's device combines Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy with AI. It gives primary care doctors an immediate, objective risk assessment for suspicious skin lesions.
Published studies found 96% sensitivity across melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The device also reduced missed skin-cancer referrals by more than 50%.
The company has scanned more than 45,000 lesions since launching commercially two years ago. Roughly 20 full-time employees plus contractors now run the operation.
Four Partnerships Expanding the Company's Reach
DermaSensor closed four major partnerships this year aimed at putting the device in front of more providers. One undisclosed partner, described as one of the largest health systems in the country, is already implementing devices across two divisions.
A partnership with Henry Schein puts DermaSensor inside procurement channels reaching thousands of clinics nationwide. A separate deal with MedTech MedCare adds more than 150 field sales representatives, starting in Texas.
Through a reseller partnership with Medical Place, DermaSensor is now the exclusive reseller to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans experience skin cancer at three times the national rate, making the population a priority for early detection.
The Number DermaSensor Is Chasing
"Our goal is to achieve $100 million ARR in 2031," Simmons said. "We could already be to more than half of that goal just with the partners we already have."
Total investment now stands at $48 million since the company's 2025 Series B. This extension adds both capital and a broader base of stakeholders with a direct reason to talk about the product.
What This Means for Miami's Health Tech Scene
DermaSensor is part of a genuinely active local sector. Medtech ranks as Miami's second most active industry for venture capital, trailing only fintech.
This is a company built around getting an overlooked disease caught earlier. Turning patients and doctors into investors isn't just a financing tactic. It's a bet that the people who understand the problem best are also the ones best positioned to spread the word.
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