Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s startup, Neko Health, has received a significant boost in funding, raising €60 million in a recent round led by venture capitalists Lakestar, with support from Atomico and General Catalyst. The funds will be used to expand Neko Health’s presence beyond Sweden, where it currently operates a private body-scan clinic.
Founded in 2018 by Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, Neko Health made a splash when it opened its first clinic in Stockholm earlier this year. Within just two hours, the clinic was fully booked, with an additional 5,000 people placed on a waiting list. This remarkable demand demonstrates the strong interest in preventive healthcare.
The clinic itself offers a unique experience, with patients undergoing a 3D full-body scan using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Equipped with sensors and powered by AI algorithms, the scan can immediately detect potential skin conditions and assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, patients undergo laser scans and an ECG, providing a comprehensive assessment in just 10 to 20 minutes. While the technology plays a crucial role, Neko Health ensures that the results are thoroughly examined and explained by expert medical professionals.
Neko Health charges €250 for their assessment, and since its launch, the company has already performed over 1,000 scans. Remarkably, nearly 80% of customers have prepaid for follow-up scans after one year, highlighting the value that individuals place on preventive healthcare.
However, while AI holds great promise for disease prevention and early detection, concerns remain over the interpretability of its results. It is crucial for patients to understand how the algorithm interprets the data, allowing them to make informed decisions about their health. Neko Health aims to address this issue by ensuring their physicians have insight into the factors influencing the AI’s predictions, enabling better patient education.
Neko Health’s impressive lineup of backers includes Niklas Zennström, co-founder of Skype and founder of Atomico, who will also join the company’s board. Zennström is excited about the venture’s potential to revolutionize global healthcare, praising Ek and Nilsonne for their ambition and track record.
With its emphasis on prevention and patient care, Neko Health represents a significant step forward in the field of healthcare innovation. By combining cutting-edge technology with expert medical analysis, the startup aims to build a healthcare system that caters to current and future generations. As Neko Health expands its operations globally, it is poised to transform the way we approach healthcare, seeking to make prevention a primary focus.
