Bio_Spectrum_July_2017

(Chris Devlin) #1

(^20) START-UP NEWS l BioSpectrum | July 2017 | http://www.biospectrumindia.com
Healthbuds.in, a portfolio company of accelerator
Neoleap Business Ventures LLP, has raised an
undisclosed amount from Kolkata-based angel
investors Arun Patodia and Bharat Kedia. The
company’s pre-money valuation in this funding
round was Rs 9 crore.
Healthbuds, run by Asvins Care Solutions Pvt.
Ltd, was founded in 2013 by Somnath Dasgupta,
who has earlier worked with Sodexo and Aircel.
It aims to solve the information asymmetry that
exists between those seeking medical attention
and health service providers. Healthbuds’ services
include booking ambulances and diagnostic tests,
video-conferencing with doctors, and searching
nearby pharmacies and home care services.
The startup will use the funds to upgrade
technology, make the platform more robust, and
implement digital marketing strategies.
Healthbuds was part of the first batch at
Neoleap, a Kolkata-based accelerator that
provides startups with structured mentoring,
knowledge sessions, business links and global
investor access, and guides them on aspects such
as taxation, compliance, IT architecture, financial
modelling, pitching, and valuation.
Seed round funding
for Healthbuds
The BITS Pilani alumnus started
Oxa Medical in late 2016, first only
with an offline presence. It has now
integrated tech and online services
as well. The startup recently
expanded its vision to wellness and
rebranded itself as Oxa Health.
It has tied up with hospitals and
clinics in Hyderabad and other
cities. Other tie-ups include nursing
homes and guest houses.
Currently, the startup has a
few translators to help patients
travelling to India. It is also
developing a tech platform based
on artificial intelligence to help the
patients in translating languages.
Oxa also offers patients video
consultations with doctors before
their trip to India.
The startup includes Oxa
Hubs, which identifies centres of
specific treatments in the country
and markets them to appropriate
patients across the globe, seeking
to reduce dependence on only big
hospital brands and to create a
brand of its own.
Oxa recently received pre-seed
funding of $200,000 from Idein
Ventures, which recently roped in
Zoomcar cofounder David Back as
its entrepreneur in residence.
Unitus Seed Fund, an impact venture fund investing
in early-stage startups innovating for the masses,
has announced the launch of the fourth edition of its
StartHealth competition – a nationwide challenge
to find, mentor and fund startups that are driving
accessible and affordable tech-driven healthcare
solutions for India’s low-income population. The
winner will receive a cash prize of INR 6 lakhs
and potential access of up to 4 crore of additional
funding and
investment
from
AmpHealth
program.
Unitus Seed
Fund has
partnered
with GE Healthcare, Accel and C-Camp to shortlist
and mentor the competition applicants. The focus
areas for StartHealth 4 are startups with innovative
solutions in artificial intelligence, analytics, devices,
and home healthcare.
UE LifeSciences, a previous StartHealth investee
is bringing low-cost breast cancer detection to
the masses in India with iBreastExam - an FDA-
approved, low-cost, easy-to-use, handheld breast
cancer scanning device. Since StartHealth funding,
they have raised a Series A investment round of USD
$4 million from Aarin Capital (Manipal Group),
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Founder and CEO of Biocon)
and Unitus Seed Fund.
Oxa Health becomes travel agent for patients
Unitus Seed Fund
launches healthcare
tech startup competition

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