Lōvu Health, a digital maternal health company, has secured $8 million in Series A funding, which it will use to invest in AI, the company announced last week.
The Cupertino, California-based company supports both the mother and the baby from conception through two-years postpartum. The company assigns a pregnancy navigator to work with both the mother and her obstetrician. Patients receive devices like a blood pressure monitor, fetal heart rate and smart scale, which all connect to Lōvu’s app. The company monitors vitals daily and notifies the OB if there are any issues, and patients receive a weekly report on their vitals.
The Lōvu app also recommends tools like nutrition and exercise guidance, as well as mental health check-ins. In addition, mothers have access to a marketplace of third-party digital vendors for specialty care, such as doulas, lactation support, sexual wellness counseling, physical therapy and mental health.
The Series A round was led by SJF Ventures and included participation from Rogue Women’s Fund, Symphonic Capital, Emmeline Ventures, Majella Ventures, Oakwood Circle Ventures, Sand Hill Angels, Swizzle Ventures, Terrasys, Stand Together Ventures and Alumni Ventures. In total, Lōvu has secured $14 million in funding.
“SJF has had a long-standing interest in maternal health and Lōvu has stood out to us for years as we see the company’s care extension of the obstetrician’s office plus a novel marketplace of partnered specialty solutions as the optimal ‘win-win-win’ strategy for providers, health plans, and mothers,” said Perry Clarkson, partner at SJF Ventures, in a statement.
The funding will help the company invest in AI and launch three augmentative agents in the near future. In addition, the funding will “support automation, integrations, and headcount as the company scales to meet demand from mothers, clinicians, and providers,” according to the announcement.
The financing comes as the U.S. ranks the worst among high income countries in maternal mortality. And 80% of these deaths can be prevented. At the same time, there is a shortage of OB/GYNs, as one in three U.S. counties are maternal care deserts.
“Our current one-size-fits-all maternal care model is failing moms and babies,” said Noel Pugh, co-founder and CEO at Lōvu Health. “Every expectant mother and her baby deserve equitable access to precision care guided by innovative technology and evidence-based insights. Lōvu’s AI-powered platform transforms workflows and modernizes clinical practices, helping clinicians closely monitor patients and intervene earlier when necessary, while offering wraparound support that changes the way we bring life into this world.”
Other companies that offer maternal health support include Partum Health, Maven Clinic and Pomelo Care.
Photo: damircudic, Getty Images
