German health tech company Oska Health has successfully closed an $13 Million seed funding round to advance its hybrid care model for chronic disease management. The financing was led by Capricorn Partners and SwissHealth Ventures, signaling strong investor confidence in the company's approach. This capital injection will fuel the expansion of its services, which support patients with conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Chronic Care
Chronic diseases pose a significant burden on healthcare systems, with related costs accounting for approximately 70% of total health expenditures in Germany. A major challenge lies in the period between doctor visits, where up to 80% of patients fail to maintain necessary lifestyle changes. This care gap is particularly pronounced for individuals with multiple conditions, leading to poor health outcomes and increased costs.
A Hybrid Model for Continuous Support
Oska Health tackles this issue by providing continuous, personalized guidance through a combination of human and digital support. Certified health coaches interact with patients via video calls, chat, and a dedicated app to help them implement medical advice in their daily lives. This evidence-based program focuses on improving nutrition, physical activity, and medication adherence for better long-term health.
The company's CEO, Niklas Best, emphasizes that while the healthcare system excels at diagnostics, it often falls short in providing everyday support. Oska Health's platform integrates artificial intelligence to augment its coaching staff, reduce administrative tasks, and make high-quality chronic care scalable. This technology-driven approach ensures that personalized patient support can be delivered efficiently and effectively to a growing population.
Validated by Healthcare Partners and Investors
The model has already gained significant traction within the German healthcare market, with over 20 health insurance companies partnering with Oska Health. For insured individuals, the program is offered at no cost, providing them with valuable resources to manage their health proactively. Insurers benefit from improved care for high-risk patients and the potential for reduced complication and hospitalization rates.
Medical professionals have also reported tangible benefits, noting a reduction in their daily workload. Dr. Sylvius von Borries, a general practitioner, stated that many therapies fail due to poor implementation at home, a gap Oska Health effectively closes. This support improves patient adherence and allows medical staff to focus on core clinical responsibilities without additional software or administrative effort.
Investors have praised the company's focus on delivering measurable outcomes and its scalable business model. Antoine D'Hollander of Capricorn Partners highlighted the compelling combination of medical evidence and continuous care, while Markus Rommel of SwissHealth Ventures noted the model's high relevance beyond Germany. This sentiment was echoed by early investor Revent, which pointed to the company's impressive eightfold growth as proof of its effective solution.
Future Expansion and Vision
Founded in Frankfurt am Main in 2022, Oska Health operates as a certified medical product in the German market. The new funding will be instrumental in accelerating the expansion of its AI-powered care infrastructure and growing its network of insurance and physician partners. The company aims to enhance its existing programs and solidify its position as a leader in digital chronic care management.
This $13 Million investment marks a pivotal moment for Oska Health, validating its innovative strategy for managing chronic illness through a blend of technology and human interaction. The capital not only provides the resources for expansion but also reinforces the growing consensus that hybrid care models are essential for the future of healthcare. As the company scales, it is poised to deliver significant benefits to patients, providers, and payers alike.