MEDTECH 1: BIOTEQ LIMITED
“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s a part of everyday life.”
Bill Gates.
Today, we take a look at the UK leader in implantables, an exciting new area within biohacking, an industry which involves using technology to enhance the capabilities of the human body.
Enjoy!
OVERVIEW:
BioTeq, founded in late 2016 by Stephen Northam, claims to be the UK’s ‘leading human technology implant specialists.’ The company inserts a microchip into your hand, which is able to store a small amount of information, and this technology allows you to interact with external objects, such as scanners, in a more convenient and secure manner.
THE SCIENCE:
There are 2 types of BioTeq microchips:
NFC: near-field communication, where electronic devices in proximity can communicate, such as with contactless payments.
RFID: radio frequency identification, which uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects, with predominant use in tracking warehouse inventory.
These chips are inserted, during a sterile procedure, in between the thumb and forefinger of the hand. The operation is similar to getting a vaccine at the doctors’, and the microchip is no bigger than a grain of rice.
The chips are not considered medical devices by UK standard agencies and are therefore not subject to the same level of regulation. Nonetheless, the chips are assembled in UK labs for quality control.
PROBLEM + SOLUTION:
This innovation is attempting to change the way we carry and manage our personal data. The applications are numerous:
Medical history and emergency contact details can be kept on the chips. If you arrive at A&E unconscious, doctors can access this information more easily.
Improving the quality of life of people with physical disabilities; rather than wheelchair users struggling to open a door, door scanners will detect NFC chips in proximity, causing the door to swing open.
Improving the quality of life of people with mental disabilities; for example, setting off an alarm when individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, a disorder causing uncontrollable eating, approach the fridge.
and many more…
RECENT NEWS:
The main current applications of this technology are for work and travel. Employees at Three Square Market in Wisconsin and at Swedish start-up hub Epicenter have all been given the option of having the chips installed for work. They can open doors, sign in to computers remotely and even buy lunch from the canteen. Humans are prone to forget cards, and there is no risk of you leaving your hand at home!
However, awareness and understanding of this technology is generally at low levels and it has not been covered extensively by mainstream media outlets.
MARKET AND COMPETITORS:
Currently, there is no existing market! I can’t remember the last time I forgot my oyster card and said: “Gee, I wish my card details were installed into my hand.” The greatest inventions create a new market for the products, fulfilling a need that people didn’t even know they had. While that means a higher possible return, greater uncertainty also means higher risk for investors!
BioTeq is not the only company interested in implantables. Elsewhere in Europe, companies are making great strides in this new sector. One of the key examples is Swedish company BioHax, founded in 2013 by the charismatic Jowan Osterlund, a renowned body modification artist. Although the technology is more primitive, with only NFC capabilities, first mover advantage means that this company has been able to establish an international user base of thousands of people. The technology is FDA approved, and as well as serving businesses, they are partnered with SJ Swedish Railways to offer a complimentary travel card service.
The key difference between the companies is that BioTeq is initially tailoring their service to patients with medical needs, rather than everyday consumers, and is focusing on the untapped UK market.
WHO IS IN CHARGE:
Between founder Steven Northam, consultant Anaesthetist Dr Geoff Watson, and investor Mike Worley, the team has a good range of skills. It is important to note that Worley and Northam have collaborated on projects before, such as the ‘IncuHive’ accelerator space. Worley’s main expertise comes in manufacturing and mechanical/industrial engineering, while Northam’s ventures include a DJ and equipment hire facility and a clothing brand. It would be fair to say that although they have a range of experiences and business interests, none could be classed as experts in the Biohack space, and none have experience of running a company with a value of more than about £1m.
BUSINESS MODEL:
There are 3 primary sources of revenue for the company. They sell the NFC/RFID chips for £69.95 and £39.95 respectively and sell the procedure to implant the chips for an additional £200. Furthermore, they can install the hardware systems that make household items, such as door locks and car keys, chip compatible, with prices depending on need.
BioTeq recently attempted to sell 15% equity, on an online crowdfunding space, for £150,000, implying a post-money valuation of £1m. Although this is roughly average for seed funding, it is a lot for a company with little more than an MVP, and no established user base. Predictably, the company fell £60,000 short. Crowdfunding is normally a Plan B, which firms turn to after insufficient interest from angel investors so we can speculate that BioTeq is facing significant difficulties in attaining the funding required to develop the company.
Bioteq is a private company, so no financial information was available for in-depth fundamental analysis.
DRIVERS OF GROWTH:
Partnerships: Many big corporations, such as Deloitte and IBM, are working on developing ‘Smart ID’ systems, a single digital wallet to hold all personal data. Merging this technology with implantable chips could be a game-changer!
Existing technology: The microchip technology has been used for decades in household pets, so the actual material and technological costs are relatively low for the chips.
Ease of installation: The operation is safe, simple and fast, with minimum risk.
INHIBITORS OF GROWTH:
Technology + safety: The chips are yet untested against very high strength MRI scanners, with research ongoing, and there is a risk that the chips could break when installed.
Data privacy: Although the chips are not GPS enabled and data is encrypted, many are worried that they are giving too much information to employers and potential hackers.
Stigma: People are suspicious of this new technology. On one YouTube video regarding implantables, comments included ‘Illuminati,’ ‘Anti-Christ’ and ‘I will see God before I have a chip in my hand.’ BioTeq might struggle to convince these particular folk that a chip for increased convenience is a worthwhile payoff.
Ethics: BioTeq acknowledges on their website that there are serious ethical debates to be had around implanting and monitoring mentally handicapped people.
Cost: Even in cases where disabled people would significantly benefit from a chip, the NHS would not sponsor such an intervention, purely from a health economic perspective. Thus, it is currently only intended for private investors, and procedures are expensive.
ISAAC’S INTUITION:
Peter Thiel, the famous Venture Capitalist, talks about two types of innovation. We can develop a known concept, with particular applications; we can move from ‘1 to N.‘ Far better though, is a completely new idea, or movement from ‘0 to 1.’
BioTeq is a fantastic example of a movement from ‘0 to 1.’ I believe that this technology will become commonplace in decades to come, sooner if we see improvements in the technical specification and data storage capacities. However, this is a classic example of a poorly timed venture. If BioTeq were launched in 5-10 years, society might be more ready to accept the underlying idea. The infrastructure to use the chips isn’t in place currently, which makes the implant little more than an expensive gimmick, explaining the low investor appetite. When you combine that with factors such as larger competitors, a lack of technical expertise in the company and a plethora of factors which may inhibit growth, BioTeq needs to dramatically change its’ strategy and operational model if it wants to be a significant player in the growing implantables market
Concept: ★★★★
Financial stability: ★★
Competitive advantage: ★★
Final investor rating: ★★
FURTHER READING:
http://www.businesscloud.co.uk/opinion/would-you-get-the-mark-of-the-beast
https://www.linkedin.com/company/19926137/
DISCLAIMER:
This blog has been created using public information about BIOTEQ LIMITED, is an opinion piece intended for educational purposes only, and does not constitute professional investment advice.
There are no conflicts of interest in the publication of this article.
If you enjoyed this article, please share!
Posted on November 24, 2017Tags business, entrepreneurship, implantables, MedTech, start-upLeave a comment on MEDTECH 1: BIOTEQ LIMITED
POST 1: What is ‘60 second start-up?’
POST 1: What is ‘60 second start-up?’
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”
Robin Williams
WHY SHOULD WE LEARN ABOUT START-UPS?
Entrepreneurship is the key driver of social and industrial progression.
Can you imagine connecting with your friends without Facebook? Holidaying without Airbnb? Travelling without Uber? The start-up companies of the last decade are the industry leaders of today and have changed the way we interact with other people and the world around us. There are a number of reasons why it is important to learn about new and interesting start-ups:
Promotion: Public ignorance of a brilliant new idea may hurt the start-up’s profile and prevent the idea from being of use in our everyday lives.
Sustainability: If we understand current developments in a sector, we are better placed to support start-ups which are sustainable, well run, and which can have a positive social impact.
Innovation: By learning more about the cutting edge inventions in a sector, we can start to create and develop our own initiatives, to increase the rate of societal transformation.
Impact: We must consider the impact these inventions could have on our lives. We must learn about MedTech innovation to know how our health will be managed and promoted in future. We must learn about FinTech to know how wealth can be created and conserved in the future. If we are not equipped with this knowledge, we are subject to the consequences of misinformation.
Profit: Understanding how sectors are developing can allow us to generate money for ourselves, as investors or venture capitalists.
HOW WILL WE LEARN ABOUT START-UPS?
60 second start-up is a platform to showcase the most disruptive technologies and inventions in a number of different sectors, in a short and digestible format for the everyday reader!
This series is written from the perspective of an investor and is intended for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, academics and anyone else who has an interest in new technologies and ideas.
In time, this site will become a catalogue of the most exciting start-ups in different sectors.
We will analyse a number of factors which make or break a start-up, including:
P+S: What is the underlying problem, and how does the idea solve that problem?
Recent news: How is the company being portrayed in the media? What is the enterprise value? Is there an element of virality to the start-ups?
Market + Competitors: Is this a new idea or an extension of an existing concept, what is the market size and what other companies are offering a similar service?
Who is in charge: Arguably the most important factor determining company success, what are the credentials of the founders?
Business Model: The idea can be revolutionary, but unless it is also financially viable, it will not succeed in a competitive market. How does this company make money?
Headwinds and tailwinds: Strengths of the operational strategy, and difficulties that the company may face during growth.
Summary: On balance, what do I think of this company?
WHO IS THE AUTHOR?
My name is Isaac Haq, and I’m currently studying towards an MSc in Finance and Private Equity at the London School of Economics, having spent 3 years at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, studying Medicine.
Having worked for start-ups, venture capital firms and with experience of making personal investments in start-ups, I have a particular interest in the MedTech and FinTech sectors, and the opportunities available for investment in these sectors.
I’m currently the President of the LSESU Venture Capital Society and Technical Director of Cancer Reduction Foundation. In my free time, I like to play football, travel and perform stand up comedy.
If you’d like to get in contact, to have a chat or offer feedback on the blog, please get in touch!