Techbytes: South African-founded Healthleap raises $38 million to expand AI disease detection (Tech in Africa)

South African-founded health technology startup Healthleap has raised US$38 million in seed and Series A funding to expand its artificial intelligence platform that helps hospitals identify patients at risk of developing medical conditions.

The funding comprises an $8 million seed round co-led by Sequoia Capital and First Round Capital, and a $30 million Series A round led by Hummingbird Ventures.

Founded in 2022 by siblings Jemima and Josiah Meyer, Healthleap develops AI software that analyses patients’ electronic medical records to identify early warning signs of medical conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed, Tech in Africa reports.

The platform analyses clinical notes, laboratory results, vital signs, medication records and other medical data to flag patients who may require further medical attention.

The company initially focused on detecting malnutrition among hospital patients before expanding to other conditions, including delirium.

Healthleap’s platform provides risk assessments rather than diagnoses, helping healthcare professionals identify patients who may need additional evaluation.

The company said its technology was being used in more than 50 hospitals, including Penn Medicine, Cedars-Sinai, Houston Methodist and Emory Healthcare.

The platform integrates with existing electronic health record systems, allowing medical teams to access patient risk information within their normal workflows.

Healthleap says its technology can help hospitals identify health concerns earlier, potentially reducing complications and the length of hospital stays.

The company plans to use the funding to expand its engineering, product development, sales and customer support teams.

It also intends to extend its technology to detect more than 40 major medical conditions, with longer-term plans to expand into outpatient and home-based care.

The investment highlights growing investor interest in AI-powered healthcare technology designed to support clinical decision-making and ease pressure on medical staff.

For Africa’s technology sector, Healthleap’s expansion illustrates how startups founded on the continent can develop healthcare solutions for international markets.

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