Startup co-founded by Spotify creator has developed full body scanning technology to enable preventive healthcare.
Swedish health tech company Neko Health has secured €60 million in Series A funding to transform healthcare from reactive symptom treatment to disease prevention. Founded by Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, Neko aims to revolutionize the healthcare system by promoting preventive measures and early detection to keep people healthy. The investment round was led by Lakestar, with participation from Atomico and General Catalyst.
Neko has developed a novel medical scanning technology that enables broad and non-invasive collection of health data, which is quick, convenient and, at €250 per scan, affordable. The scan, which takes approximately 10 minutes, uses more than 70 sensors to collect 50 million data points. This technology can assist doctors in identifying diseases at an early stage, including skin conditions, skin cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndromes.
“Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. We believe preventive health will be key to reversing this trend,” said Nilsonne, CEO of Neko. “Doctors today just don’t have enough time or resources to focus on prevention. This leads to many health problems going unnoticed until they get really serious, causing a lot of pain and putting a massive strain on the healthcare system.”
“We’ve demonstrated that our unique approach to this problem resonates with people – that there’s a genuine need and desire for this change. This strong demand is what’s driving us to expand our horizons. To accelerate this, we’re partnering with external investors for the first time. It’s time to create the healthcare future we want, for ourselves, and for future generations.”
At its launch in Sweden earlier this year, Neko sold out all available slots within two hours. Currently, over 10,000 people are on the waiting list, with an 80% rebooking rate after the initial scan. The company says that many individuals have embraced Neko’s preventative approach to healthcare as an integral part of their annual health routine.
The Neko Body Scan experience, which includes the scan and a doctor’s consultation, is currently only available in Stockholm, but there are plans to expand the service to clinics across Europe. Interested individuals can join the waitlist to secure early access to the Neko Body Scan as the company expands its reach.
Lakestar’s Klaus Hommels and Atomico’s Niklas Zennström will join Neko’s board alongside the founders. The funding will support the company’s expansion plans, research and development efforts, clinical studies and talent acquisition.
