Skinopathy CEO Keith Loo is on the cutting edge of medtech innovation in Toronto. He shows us his favourite spots for inspiration and exploration in Toronto.
Keith Loo, CEO of Skinopathy, an award-winning artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform that allows for early detection and diagnosis of skin conditions, started his company in part due to his son Logan, who has a very rare genetic condition that was incredibly difficult to diagnose. “This is part of the reason why I [made] the switch from tech to healthcare—to accelerate medical research.”
Since launching in August 2020, Skinopathy has been recognized as one of the top 20 early tech companies by the Canadian Innovation Exchange powered by Elevate and has made a huge impact on the field of dermatology, giving healthcare professionals rapid skin-health assessments, leading to the early intervention and treatment of cancer. It’s also beneficial for people with severe acne or chronic skin conditions.
“Toronto is absolutely the most metropolitan, multicultural city in the world. If you want real cultural experiences, Toronto is the place—not only for building a business, but building a community.”
– Keith Loo, CEO, Skinopathy
Though thrilled with the success, Keith is quick to point out that the journey required the help of many hands. “We have a phenomenal start-up ecosystem here in Toronto,” he says. “Having both that supportive medtech community and an incredible start-up community here—this was integral to providing all of the infrastructure we needed to grow.”
Today, Keith and his partner, Doctor Collin Hong—a plastic surgeon—have the world’s only AI that works on any cell phone and can screen, track and manage any skin condition for any skin colour. Once referred by a doctor, patients go to the Skinopathy website, answer a few questions and upload some pictures. They are then screened within two weeks via teleconference with a skin specialist—a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or practitioner who specializes in skin—who determines the next step. “Ninety per cent of these patients just need a prescription,” Keith says. “But those who really need help get it right away.”
Find a warm med-tech welcome in Toronto
“Being a community that helps local entrepreneurs has really helped us grow,” Keith says. “Working with MaRS Discovery District and its communities has been phenomenal. My co-founder is a doctor and I have a tech background, so for us to build this company that has gotten so much traction is really thanks to the Toronto ecosystem.”
Keith also cites York University’s The Schulich School of Business as an influential participant in Skinopathy’s growth, particularly Schulich Startups. “They have this explosive start-up community where many of Canada's top start-ups took shape.”
Toronto’s diversity also wins points with Keith, who feels that the multicultural environment lends a variety of perspectives and skills to the mix. “That is truly a global competitive advantage,” he says. “The City of Toronto also includes us in trade missions whenever they are showcasing Toronto-based start-ups. Having the local government support you goes a long way,” he adds.
“My career has always been travel-based,” Keith says. “But one thing I say to everybody is that Toronto is absolutely the most metropolitan, multicultural city in the world. If you want real cultural experiences, Toronto is the place—not only for building a business, but building a community.” Keith lives in Aurora in York Region, but drives through various sections of Toronto on a daily basis. He says he likes roaming all over town, on the lookout for the variety he finds in every neighbourhood. Here, he shares his favourite spots in the city.
Explore the city’s multicultural eateries
If Keith is anywhere near The Distillery District, he stops in at Balzac’s for a quick coffee. There are nine Balzac’s locations across the GTA. And if he is instead craving a tea, he heads to The Alley, a bubble tea and unique-coffee café.
For lunch, Keith often finds himself at Good Catch Café in the Fairview Mall. “It’s a Hong Kong-style café—not quite fast food, but not a two-hour restaurant meal either,” he says. “They serve a really authentic Hong Kong lunch: curries, chicken rice dishes, noodles. It’s a really cool place.” He also tries to visit Pai on Duncan as often as possible for their distinctly Northern Thai food. “I also like Miku Toronto for Japanese food. It has a very modern feel.”
Make time for culture and nature in every neighbourhood
If schedules allow, Keith brings his family along with him when he goes to an appointment, dropping them off in different neighbourhoods to hang out while he goes to an in-person meeting. They like to spend time in High Park, as well as Edwards Gardens, which is the site of the Toronto Botanical Garden. The Aga Khan Museum is also a favourite.
While in the city’s north end, Keith will often visit Saltwater Pros and Big Al’s Aquarium, stores for saltwater aquarium hobbyists. “I’m a reefer! And I run Toronto’s largest saltwater reefing group,” he says. “When I go to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, it feels so exotic, but there’s nothing in those tanks that I haven’t owned!”
Discover a dynamic downtown
Keith and his family like to visit the Harbourfront, to just chill out walking along the water’s edge. They also enjoy stopping at The Well shopping plaza. “It has a nice vibe and it’s a great open space when you have a young child who likes to run around.”
Keith says he is a very social person. “If I want to grab a good brew and just hang out, I love Amsterdam Brewhouse by the water—especially on a nice sunny day.” He also pops into the Craft Beer Market at Yonge and Adelaide for a taste of their unique craft beers.
Scotiabank Arena is also right up there in terms of downtown haunts. “I'm the biggest Raptors fan you'll ever meet; and we go to concerts there, too.”
Enjoy the menus at haute hotels and city landmarks
Keith mentions the restaurants of two Toronto hotels as his favourite spots for dining, partly because he is often entertaining out-of-town guests. He likes booking into Valerie on the 28th floor of Hotel X Toronto. Casa Madera on the ground floor of 1 Hotel Toronto is the restaurant he likes to “show off the most.” He adds: “It has a great vibe—good for food or drinks or both.”
360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower is another landmark he likes to take visitors to. “We enjoy going there—my family and my guys. I think people assume that because it's a tourist attraction, the food is going to be bad or overpriced. But the food is very good and they have an amazing wine cellar. And that view!”
