Neko Health, Co-founded by Daniel Ek, Secures $65 Million to Revolutionize Preventative Healthcare with Full-Body Scans
Neko Health, a health tech startup co-founded by Daniel Ek, the co-creator of Spotify, has successfully raised €60 million ($65 million) in its first external funding round. The Series A round was led by Lakestar, with participation from Atomico and General Catalyst.
Established in Sweden in 2018 by Daniel Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, Neko Health emerged from stealth mode in February with a bold vision of providing preventative healthcare through full-body scans powered by AI software. These scans aim to assist doctors in detecting various skin conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes.
According to the company, each scan takes approximately 10 minutes and costs €250. Following the scan, patients receive an in-person consultation where the results are explained in detail.
Based in Stockholm, Neko Health boasts a team of 35 doctors, researchers, and technicians spread across Europe. The company has already established a waiting list for individuals interested in full-body scans at its initial clinic in Stockholm.
Hjalmar Nilsonne, CEO of Neko Health, highlighted the escalating healthcare costs and emphasized the importance of preventive health in combating this trend. He stated, "Doctors today just don't have enough time or resources to focus on prevention. This leads to many health problems going unnoticed until they become severe, causing significant pain and burdening the healthcare system."
Notably, Neko Health has adopted a cautious approach when it comes to media interviews, likely to avoid the pitfalls experienced by high-profile health tech companies like Theranos, which faced a dramatic downfall due to unsubstantiated claims. Even during its formal launch earlier this year, Neko Health refrained from providing interviews to international media, and limited opportunities for questioning were offered ahead of the recent funding announcement.
Despite this reserved stance, Neko Health has garnered an impressive group of investors from the United States and Europe, including those who have supported renowned companies such as Spotify, Airbnb, Snap, and HubSpot. As a result of their investments, Klaus Hommels, the founder of Lakestar, and Niklas Zennström, the founder of Atomico, will join Neko's board of directors alongside the company's two founders.
With the fresh infusion of funds, Neko Health plans to expedite its expansion strategy, which includes establishing additional clinics across Europe. The company will also allocate resources towards research and development, clinical studies, and talent acquisition.
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