The Story of Velara

SECTOR UPDATE - Velara 

The idea for Velara originated on the soccer fields of Wellington, where founders Dr. Jeremy Young and Rob Dongol discussed solutions to their workplace problems while watching their eight-year-old sons play.

"We created Velara because, as an Anaesthetist, I kept seeing just how much time, energy, and money were being wasted every single day in our hospitals."

Administrators were juggling a never-ending storm of messages, calls, and emails—often under intense pressure—while progress ground to a halt waiting for replies. Nurses and doctors were tied up with paperwork instead of doing what they’re trained for and passionate about: caring for patients.

The result?

Delayed operations. Cancelled surgeries. Burnt-out staff.

And patients were left waiting and waiting.

What struck me most was this: managing complex patients often felt easier than finding the right team at the right moment. The process was slow, manual, outdated, and incredibly stressful for everyone involved.

So we built Velara—the fastest, smartest, fully automated way to fill staffing gaps. No scrambling. No stress. No phone tag. With just the click of a button, the right people are instantly contacted, and the first to accept secures the role. What once took hours (or days) now takes seconds.

And the impact?

Precious time returned to doctors, nurses and admin teams.

Improved hospital flow and efficiency.

And most importantly, happier staff who can finally focus on what matters most: patient care, not paperwork.

We started by solving one of the biggest pain points in private hospitals—finding Anaesthetists at short notice. The results have been exceptional. Faster responses. Fewer cancellations. Better matching between surgeons and Anaesthetists. And a more transparent, fair, and consistent process that everyone can trust.

But we didn’t stop there.

Hospitals told us they had the same challenge with nursing staff, theatre techs, and other critical clinical roles. So we expanded Velara to help find these essential team members instantly—helping fill sickness cover, patch gaps, and prevent costly delays due to staffing shortages.

Today, Velara is growing rapidly across Aotearoa, and our vision is bold:

No operating theatre—anywhere in the world—should ever be delayed, cancelled, or closed simply because the right staff couldn’t be found in time.

We’re building a future where hospitals run smoother, staff feel supported, and patients receive the care they deserve without unnecessary delays.

This is Velara.

A better, faster, smarter way to keep healthcare moving.

Source: Velara media release

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