The Healthtech Times is a weekly newsletter covering healthtech news from Canada and around the globe. Subscribe to H|T using the form at the bottom of this page to ensure you don’t miss out on the most important healthtech news every week!
Following refocus and rebrand, Lydia AI secures $10 million CAD to make health insurance more inclusive (BETAKIT)
Insurtech startup Lydia AI, formerly Knowtions Research has raised $10 million CAD to launch the first series of insurance products using its health score technology in Taiwan, as it targets the Asia-Pacific insurance market.
23andMe jumps into telehealth, prescription drug delivery with $400M buyout of Lemonaid Health (FIERCE HEALTHCARE)
23andMe, which went public in June via a merger with Richard Branson’s blank check company, will pay $400 million for Lemonaid Health, with 25% of the purchase price in cash and the rest in shares of 23andMe.
Steadiwear raises $1.1 million CAD to fuel launch of glove designed to combat hand tremors (BETAKIT)
Fresh funding in hand, Steadiwear plans to begin rolling out the Steadi-Two next year, as it looks to improve the lives of more people suffering from Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s disease.
Oak Street plans to add virtual specialty care with $130M acquisition of RubiconMD (MED CITY NEWS)
It struck a deal to acquire RubiconMD for $130 million in cash, with another $60 million in milestone payments.
EmergConnect raises $350,000 to fund emergency room wait time predictor (BETAKIT)
The financing was led by Loyal VC, a global startup index fund, and saw participation from Maple Leaf Angels and Front Row Ventures.
Workit Health lands $118M for its digital tool focused on substance use disorder (MOBIHEALTHNEWS)
The company plans to use the funding to expand into new regions. It aims to operate nationwide by 2023.
LifeSpeak acquires Lift, reaches deal to acquire ALAViDA (BETAKIT)
After going public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in July, LifeSpeak has acquired online wellness company Lift and reached a deal to acquire ALAViDA, which provides substance use disorder solutions.
How this Indigenous-led VC firm invests for financial and community impact (BETAKIT)
Fresh off the final closing of its $25 million initial fund, Raven is now looking to write $250,000 to $2 million cheques into purpose-driven Indigenous-led enterprises.
Telemedicine startups face uncertain regulatory terrain (WALL STREET JOURNAL)
Some states are rolling back waivers that enabled wider use of telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic.
Cisco Canada survey reveals how startups and SMBs are approaching post-pandemic recovery (BETAKIT)
With responses from over 1,000 startup and SMB leaders, the results show a potential misalignment between leaders’ stated challenges, priorities, and areas for investment.
Bardavon Health raises $90M, looks to expand MSK solution beyond workers’ compensation (MED CITY NEWS)
The Kansas-based company has built up a network of physical therapists and a technology platform for workers’ compensation. Now, with $90 million in new funding, it plans to expand into new services for musculoskeletal care.
Everly Health buys startup Natalist to expand its reach into women’s health, retail products (FIERCE HEALTHCARE)
With the acquisition, Everly Health, the parent company of health-testing kit brand Everlywell, is pushing deeper into women’s health and retail products.
Papa and Uber Health team up on curbing social isolation among seniors (MOBIHEALTHNEWS)
Papa’s care team will coordinate with Uber Health and Papa companions to provide transportation for seniors.