MPower Partners Fund, an ESG-focused global venture capital fund, has led a strategic investment in Teal Health Inc., a San Francisco-based company focused on transforming cervical cancer screening. The company has raised $22 million in Series A financing to expand access to its FDA-authorized at-home HPV testing solution. The funding and partnership underscore growing confidence in patient-centered tools designed to close persistent gaps in preventive health care.
Screening Gaps and Public Health Impact
Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus infection and is highly preventable when detected early, yet screening participation remains uneven. In the United States, more than 25 percent of eligible women are not adequately screened, and the National Cancer Institute estimates 13,490 new diagnoses and 4,200 deaths in 2026. The challenge is also significant in Japan, where only 44 percent of women aged 20 to 69 were screened in 2022 and 2,751 deaths were recorded in 2024.
A Home-Based Testing Innovation
Teal Health has redesigned the cervical screening experience around women with the Teal Wand, a device that enables primary HPV sample collection at home. The product was created by women to minimize discomfort and address the privacy concerns and physical burden commonly associated with clinic-based pap tests. In validation studies, home-collected samples detected cervical precancer with accuracy comparable to clinician-collected samples, and the Teal Wand received FDA authorization in May 2025.
Clinical Evidence and Patient Preference
The company offers an integrated telehealth platform that guides users from screening through results and follow-up care, creating a convenient and private end-to-end experience. In the SELF_CERV study involving more than 600 participants across the United States, 94 percent of women said they preferred the Teal Wand over traditional clinic-based screening. This strong preference suggests that at-home collection can improve patient engagement while maintaining diagnostic quality.
Regulatory and Reimbursement Momentum
Teal Health is now available in all 50 states and benefits from several regulatory, clinical, and reimbursement tailwinds. Beginning in January 2027, federal guidelines are expected to require many health plans to cover self-collection for cervical cancer screening. These changes are expected to accelerate the company's transition from a direct-to-consumer model to an insurance-reimbursed approach and broaden access to screening.
Investor and Founder Perspectives
Teal Health Co-Founder and CEO Kara Egan said the company was built on the belief that designing healthcare around women's lives can increase screening participation and improve health outcomes. She noted that MPower shares this vision and contributes global perspective, healthcare expertise, and a strong commitment to advancing women's health. Egan described the firm as a valuable partner in expanding access to the Teal Wand and working toward a future without preventable cervical cancer deaths.
MPower Partners Outlook
MPower Partners General Partner Kathy Matsui said cervical cancer is highly preventable, but access to screening remains a major barrier for many women around the world. She expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Teal Health to change the way cervical cancer screening is delivered through a women-centered home testing solution. Matsui added that the approach can increase screening rates, support earlier detection, and improve health outcomes for women globally.
MPower Partners' investment in Teal Health highlights the increasing role of self-collected HPV testing in making cervical cancer prevention more accessible and patient-friendly. With FDA authorization, strong clinical validation, and favorable reimbursement policies, Teal Health is well positioned to scale its next stage of growth. The partnership may help more women access accurate screening, improve early detection, and ultimately reduce preventable deaths from cervical cancer.