Where are they now? CellScope

We caught up with CellScope, one of Rock Health’s earliest portfolio companies. From a feature on The Colbert Report to hiring a former space scientist, the CellScope team took a quick break from building their suite of remote-diagnostic devices to share what they’ve been up to in the last two years.

What’s new?
Since “graduating,” we went from an idea in a bioengineering lab to being a venture-backed mobile health startup. We are very excited about our upcoming product launch at AAP (the national pediatrics conference) in late October.

At this point, we are ear experts! We’ve seen a lot, from dual ear drum perforations from a July 4th firework accident to pulsating ear drums to an artificial ear bone graft (check our blog). Finally, we got our prototype onto the Colbert Report!

What’s the difference?
We started at Rock Health with a team of three and a clunky lab prototype. Today we are a medical device company with a team of 8 (and growing!), a huge vision and an exciting upcoming product launch.

Where are you?
We recently moved to a great space in SOMA that’s more than three times larger than our original space. We have an open layout, lots of sunlight and one of our conference rooms faces the Transbay Center construction so we get to see powerful machines defy gravity and rearrange impossibly heavy objects. Our office has an incredibly resonant gong that we use to celebrate wins, both big and small.

Any amazing new hires?
Yes! From our original team of 3 during our Rock Health days, we are now a team of 8 including our mobile app developer, engagement manager, quality engineer, mechanical engineer, imaging scientist and web developer! Amongst our talented team we have a former circus clown, space scientist, published fantasy author, cyclists, music-lovers and a capoeira-dancer. And we’re looking to hire more: data scientists, regulatory director, customer service manager and office manager. Check out our website for more info.

What’s your favorite office snack?
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes – once you start, you can’t stop!

If your company were an animal, what would it be and why?
An elephant — because they’re awesome. And wouldn’t it be cool to see an elephant’s tympanic membrane?