Healthtech and edtech are two of the fastest growing sectors, with the healthtech market size to reach $3.1 billion by 2033, while the global education technology market size is projected to reach $348.41 billion by 2030.
Each week will do a roundup of the top news, fundings, and IPOs from these two sectors.
Top News
- Google is rebranding the Fitbit app as Google Health. This follows a redesign of the Fitbit app last year in public beta, centered around a new AI-powered Health Coach chatbot which is now exiting beta and will be available globally starting on May 19
- Canvas, a platform used by over 8,000 universities and K-12 schools for course websites, assignments and communication, shut down for several hours after a hacking group claimed responsibility for a data breach affecting the company that owns the platform, jeopardizing the personal data of millions of students and teachers
AI News
- Artera.io, which combines human and AI agent intelligence to fix the patient experience, unveiled AI Service Squads. which are dedicated to provider segments, building bespoke solutions based on the specific needs of the clinic or practice
- VisualDx, which helps clinicians manage skin concerns at the point of care, and Perplexity, an AI-powered answer engine, partnered tp bring clinician-validated medical images directly into AI-powered health answers
- SimonMed, an outpatient imaging provider, expanded its AI-enabled imaging platform, adding new offerings Calcium Score+, CT Bone Density, and MR Lumbar Spine+, which apply AI to standard imaging exams, providing additional clinical insights from scans patients are already undergoing, without requiring extra scan time or radiation exposure
- Viz.ai, a provider of AI-powered disease detection and intelligent care coordination, partnered with the National Rural Health Association to help rural hospital leaders better understand and implement AI tools that enable earlier detection of life-threatening conditions and faster care coordination
- Azra AI, an enterprise platform for incidental findings and oncology workflow automation, acquired Thynk Health, a provider of lung cancer screening and incidental findings management
- ReliaQuest, a cybersecurity technology company, partnered with Florida State University to advance research and real-world application of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity and establish the annual ReliaQuest Innovation Challenge at FSU to incentivize faculty research into the field
- Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins University launched the Mayors AI Forum, which will bring together some of the world’s most forward-thinking city leaders to collectively demonstrate what visionary, responsible artificial intelligence implementation can deliver for people everywhere
- Khan Academy launched Khan TED Institute, a new joint project from Khan Academy, TED, and ETS, a nonprofit educational organization that administers standardized tests, with the goal of equipping students with the skills they need to stay relevant in AI-powered workplaces
- Classover, an AI-powered education company, and Marbella AI, an AI education initiative, partnered to focus on the future of AI education
Mental Health
- Talkspace announced an expansion to its partnership with the U.S. Navy, and is now available across 13 installations, providing access to behavioral health resources to more than 40,000 Sailors and their families through the Talkspace Go self-paced app while also having the ability to leverage Talkspace therapy through their TRICARE benefits
- St. Louis CITY SC partnered with Missouri 988 to bring awareness to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced new projects helping expand mental health care capacity and treatment statewide, highlighting recent projects that will help expand behavioral health treatment capacity, crisis and residential services, and a more responsive continuum of care
- Valvoline, a provider of preventive automotive maintenance, announced it is becoming the first Ronald McDonald House Global corporate partner dedicated solely to funding mental health initiatives, representing a $750,000 total commitment over three years
- The Southwest Suburban Health Department and Rogers Behavioral Health partnered with local coffee shops and businesses in Wisconsin to spread a message of hope and support throughout the community, such as “Your story is still brewing. Stay.” Alongside this message, each sleeve includes information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential resource available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or substance use concerns
- The Wichita Fire Department and Wichita State University partnered to create a new mental health program with intention of helping firefighters maintain their health in both their bodies and their brains, with Beyond the Call and WSU’s Psychology Department creating a new mental health class specifically for firefighters
- Mental health technology company HiBoop and The University of Victoria partnered to digitize clinical assessments at the UVic Psychology Clinic. The integration enhances the assessment process using a secure digital system to improve clinical training, streamline administration, and support data-informed client care
Big financings:
Healthtech:
- LTZ Therapeutics, a clinical-stage, immunotherapy-focused biotechnology company, raised a $38 million financing round led by GL Ventures, with substantial participation from a sovereign wealth fund and continued support from existing shareholders
- Enzo Health, an AI-driven platform for home health and post-acute care, raised a $20 million Series A funding round led by N47 with existing investors Gradient, Tandem Ventures, and Rigby Watts also participating
- CELYSTRA Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the introduction of innovative treatments to Canada, raised more than $20 million in investments from financial partners including Investissement Québec and Crédit Mutuel Equity, along with contributions from its founders
- Dandelion Health, a clinical intelligence platform for life sciences, raised a $14 million Series A funding round led by Healthier Capital, with participation from Colle Capital and existing investors Primary Venture Partners, Moxxie Ventures, and Convergent Ventures
Edtech:
- VideoTutor, an AI tutoring startup, raised $11 million in a seed round from YZi Labs, Baidu Ventures, and Amino Capital
Not so big financings:
Healthtech:
- XCaliber Health, an agentic operating system purpose-built to reduce administrative burden, cut millions in operational waste, and improve the quality of clinical care delivered to patients, raised $6.5 million in a seed funding round led by ManchesterStory with participation from Benhamou Global Ventures and Arka Venture Labs
- Village, a pediatric connected platform powered by AI to unite families, providers, pediatricians, and payers, raised $9.5 million led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Bling Capital, GTMFund, and Perceptive Ventures
- CHOSEN by Dermatology, which develops clinical-grade skincare, haircare, and wellness products to address skin concerns, raised $5 illion in a Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures, along with participation from BOLD, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund, Alkemi Growth Capital, and other angel investors including Avnish Anand, Dr. Chandan Asokan, KC Nischal, Punit Saraogi, Nishita Ranka, and Mikki Singh
- Sedivention, a medtech startup that develops medical technology for minimally invasive obesity treatment through cryo-ablation procedures, raised €2.9 million in a seed funding round led by bmp Ventures and IBG funds. Other investors include High-Tech Gründerfonds, superangels, Cambridge Ventures, and the strategic investment arm of a global medtech company that has not been named
- Asterix Health, a provider of remote GP resources, raised £2.1 million in a pre-seed round led by Triple Point, with participation from D2, Entrepreneurs First, Basis Capital, DLB Ventures, and a group of notable angels
Policy and government
- The Trump administration plans to redirect $2 billion in funding intended for global health programs to cover the cost of closing the US Agency for International Development, including money that Congress appropriated for health programs tackling malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, nutrition, global health security, HIV/AIDS and more
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a directed investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District for policies that appear to automatically reassign teachers accused of sexual misconduct with students, including engaging in exploitative “romantic relationships,” to another school in order, to determine whether the District’s handling of alleged sexual harassment, including sexual assault, by District teachers, administrators, and/or staff violated Title IX
Random news
- An anonymous Facebook post claimed that students in the Paso Robles school district were “found drugged in the bathrooms” but the school district is wholly disputing the claims, and it urged families to avoid sharing unverified claims. “We understand that anonymous social media posts can generate concern, particularly when they involve student safety,” the district said in a news release. “However, sharing unverified information contributes to unnecessary fear and spreads harmful misinformation. We strongly encourage our community to rely on official District communication channels for accurate and up-to-date information”
