Immertec

The company was co-founded by Erik Maltais (CEO) and Jon Clagg (CTO). Maltais's background is unconventional for a tech CEO; he is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and on diplomatic security details before studying accounting and economics and then launching a successful e-commerce business selling barbecue accessories. This entrepreneurial venture led him to meet Clagg, a software developer with over a decade of experience in automation and telecommunications who had an early interest in the potential of virtual reality beyond gaming. Recognizing a significant opportunity in the medical training market, they founded Immertec to address the logistical and cost barriers associated with traditional surgical training.

Immertec’s core offering is a proprietary, real-time 3D virtual reality communication platform. This technology allows surgeons and other medical professionals to use VR headsets to observe live surgical procedures from the performing surgeon's first-person perspective, providing a clear, 360-degree view of the operating field. The platform facilitates remote training, enabling physicians to learn new techniques and familiarize themselves with new medical devices without the need for travel. Key features include live broadcasting, on-demand recordings for later review, and interactive communication capabilities, all with a lag time of less than 200 milliseconds. The business model is centered on providing these immersive training solutions to organizations like Johnson & Johnson, which has piloted the technology.

Since its inception, Immertec has achieved several milestones. The company participated in an accelerator program in 2018 and won a $100,000 prize from Steve Case's "Rise of the Rest" tour, which provided a significant early boost. It has since secured substantial funding, including a Series A round that totaled $12 million by August 2020 and a further $3.64 million in February 2024, with total funding reaching over $21 million. Investors include Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, PAR, and Benvolio Group. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated interest in Immertec's remote solutions, leading to rapid expansion plans and partnerships with major medical device manufacturers.