New Plymouth-based www.doctorglobal.com hopes to take on the world after a $3 million capital injection.
The Internet medical site has received $2 million from Wellington-based Number 8 Ventures and $1 million from private investor Neville Jordan.
Doctor Global CEO Dr Tom Mulholland says the injection lets the company expands its range of services and countries of operation. Just six weeks ago Dr Global launched in Australia.
The deal also doubles the number of IT staff to 10 and adds to the 80 doctors worldwide presently involved in the company.
Number 8 Ventures manager Peter Allport and Jordan both have experience in growing businesses, with Jordan also having an IT background by creating the Nasdaq-listed MAS Technology.
The pair receive a shareholding in the enterprise and two seats on the board, but Dr Global remains owned and controlled by doctors.
Allport believes his firm can bring much experience to growing Dr Global.
"We see the company as a major global operation with the potential to be a significant IPO listing on something like the American Nasdaq National Market in a three to five year timeframe," he says.
The company provides a Virtual Health Centre that connects consumers to "reasoning engines" - doctors, health professionals and medical specialists - as opposed to most medical Web sites that connect people to generic, non-specific engines.
The Dr Global home page claims to be easy to use, with virtual waiting rooms. After supplying details over the Web, these details are sent to any medical consultant the patient engages via the Web site. The patient receives an individual reply within 48 hours.
If a patient needs to see a doctor in person, they will be recommended to do so.