Today we’d like to introduce you to Gonzalo Erdozain.
Hi Gonzalo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Argentina and grew up in Paraguay before moving to the United States to attend Kansas State University. I initially started in computer science but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I switched to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts, focusing on graphic design, 3D animation, and web design.
At the time I was graduating high school, I was torn between two paths: becoming a veterinarian or pursuing 3D character animation. Growing up in South America, I didn’t see the kind of lifestyle in veterinary medicine that I envisioned for myself, so I chose the creative route. After graduating, I worked at a startup design studio in Manhattan, KS for nearly two years, then moved to Kansas City to join a marketing agency, while continuing to study 3D animation.
As I looked ahead, I realized opportunities in animation were limited, especially as an international needing visa sponsorship. When the markets collapsed in 2008, I took it as a sign to pursue my other passion: veterinary medicine. I returned to Kansas State, completed all my pre-veterinary requirements in an accelerated year, and spent weekends shadowing and working at a local clinic to gain hands-on experience.
I was accepted into Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where I earned both my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis on infectious and zoonotic diseases. After graduating, I returned to Kansas City Veterinary Care, where I still practice part-time.
Early in my clinical work, I noticed how paper-heavy many workflows still were, particularly in anesthesia and dentistry, areas I’m especially passionate about. I looked for better solutions but couldn’t find any, so I built my own. After using that system for nearly six years, it ultimately became the foundation for Scout.
Scout was officially founded in November 2021. We raised our initial friends-and-family round in 2022 and launched our MVP in March 2023.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. As an immigrant, one of the earliest challenges was simply staying in the country after graduating. I needed to find an employer willing to sponsor my visa, which often meant accepting lower pay to offset legal costs. It wasn’t ideal, but it was part of the path.
Looking back, though, I genuinely believe everything happened for a reason. If those events hadn’t unfolded the way they did, I don’t think Scout would exist today.
Like most startups, time and capital have been constant constraints. As a solo founder, I had to do everything myself in the early days, from product development to operations. That said, I was fortunate to have people around me who were willing to help, and discovering the Kansas City startup ecosystem was a turning point. There are far more resources and people willing to support you than most realize.
Building Scout while working full-time as a veterinarian was another major challenge. It left very little room for anything else, and there’s a real personal cost that comes with that. Your health and personal life inevitably take a hit. It’s something most entrepreneurs understand, but it’s hard to fully grasp unless you’ve lived it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Up until December 31, I was a full-time veterinarian and CEO of Scout. I have since transitioned to working on Scout full time, while continuing to perform surgeries and ultrasounds at Kansas City Veterinary Care a few times a month to stay clinically active.
Beyond veterinary medicine, I have always been deeply interested in design and technology. I have a background in graphic design and 3D animation, and I have spent years as a hands-on builder and tech enthusiast. That combination has shaped how I approach Scout by bringing together clinical insight, product thinking, and design to build something that is not only highly functional but also intuitive and genuinely enjoyable to use.
What I am most proud of is creating something that sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and design. It solves real problems for veterinarians while also raising the bar for what tools in this space can look and feel like. I think what sets me apart is that I do not just see problems from the clinical side or the technical side, but from both, and I care deeply about the experience of the end user just as much as the outcome.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the fact that Kansas City is a small big city. There is a lot to do, but the cost of living is still a hidden gem in my opinion. Obviously biased, but our startup ecosystem is very strong and supportive.
What I don’t like is how spread out it is and how we always have roadwork everywhere (looking at you Wornall Road).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scoutapp.vet
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoutapp.vet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Scout/100087144519055/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scout-a-dvm-solutions-llc-saas/
