Award-winning app takes on everyday life with psoriasis
What if an app could help people with psoriasis monitor their skin remotely and predict flare-ups—cutting down on costly and time-consuming visits to the doctor?
That is the vision behind PsoriScan, a start-up idea developed by master’s student Hossam Shahin during the Startup Garage Spring 2025 Business Development Bootcamp – an idea that went on to win 10,000 SEK.
The bootcamp initiative helps aspiring student entrepreneurs from Stockholm University and Södertörn University move from idea to traction by offering mentorship, peer feedback and structured business development tools. For Hossam Shahin, the experience has been transformative.
“I see Startup Garage as an entrepreneur factory. We've learned how to build a pitch deck from scratch and pitch with confidence,” he says.
Professional background meets personal motivation
The idea behind PsoriScan was born from both professional experience and a personal encounter. Hossam Shahin, who has a background in pharmacy, recalls a defining moment that inspired the project.
“I once met a chef who told me, ‘I look like a monster and I hate myself so much.’ He worked long hours by the grill, even during summer, covering his body to hide his psoriasis. That moment really stayed with me. Psoriasis isn’t just a medical condition—it affects people’s dignity, self-worth and daily life.”
Psoriasis isn’t just a medical condition—it affects people’s dignity, self-worth and daily life
That encounter eventually led to an effort to help the chef access new treatment, but it also planted a seed for a broader solution.
“I wanted to provide accessible, tech-enabled tools that empower patients—not just medically, but emotionally and financially as well.”
The PsoriScan concept
PsoriScan is a mobile app designed for people with psoriasis. Using machine learning and AI, it helps users track the severity of their condition, predict flare-ups and even consult remotely with dermatologists. The goal is to offer continuous, real-time insights and reduce the need for in-person visits.
“Many patients lack tools to monitor their condition properly. PsoriScan aims to change that by giving them more control and access to care.”
Many patients lack tools to monitor their condition properly
Awarded for impact
At the end of the bootcamp, the team behind PsoriScan was awarded 10,000 SEK in recognition of their work and the impact the app could have on people’s lives.
“It was incredibly meaningful. Not just for the financial support—but because it validated our purpose and the problem we’re trying to solve. It gave me a strong boost of confidence and motivation.”
What’s next?
The team is now focused on building a prototype and laying the foundations for the machine learning model behind the app.
“We're actively looking to collaborate with fundraising institutions and healthcare partners. Our aim is to test PsoriScan with the first 100 patients. This next phase is critical to ensure that the app truly meets their needs,” concludes Hossam Shahin.
More information
Hossam Shahin is an Egyptian pharmacist with a degree in clinical pharmacy. He also holds an MBA from Sorbonne University in France and is currently a first-year student in the Master’s Programme in AI for Health, 120 credits, with a scholarship from the Swedish Institute.
Contact: Hossam Shahin
Startup Garage Spring 2025 Business Development Bootcamp is organised by Drivhuset Stockholm.
Drivhuset Stockholm
Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, DSV
Master’s programme in AI for Health
Master’s programmes at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences
Text: Carina Bergholm
Last updated: April 14, 2025
Source: Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, DSV