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Hippo Technologies, a Vancouver, Washington startup developing technology to connect patients and professionals in rural areas, has raised seed funding from Ochsner Health, a large healthcare system based in New Orleans. .
The two companies have not disclosed the amount of the funding, but the cash brings their total investment in Hippo to $3.7 million, according to a spokesperson. Previous investors include members of Hippo’s management team and other individual backers.
Hippo’s platform links software that supports virtual consultation and telemedicine workflows using headsets worn by clinicians.
Hands-free, voice-activated headsets can be used in medical settings to live stream patient encounters to hospital professionals.
Hippo will work with Ocshner to connect professionals with providers and patients in isolated areas of Ochsner’s network serving Louisiana, Mississippi and the Southern Gulf. The first is neurology.
The partnership will “bring experts and care teams to patients wherever they are,” CEO Patrick Quinlan said in a statement announcing the deal Wednesday. Quinlan, the former CEO of Ochsner, said in 2020 he co-founded Hippo.
Other co-founders include neurosurgeon and Chief Medical Officer Wale Sulaiman. He was previously Professor of Clinical Neurosurgery at Tulane University and Medical Director of Ochsner’s Back and Spine Center. Corporate attorney Craig Williams. Brian Hamilton, co-founder of Vancouver-based RealWear, a backed reality wearables startup that recently raised $23.5 million.
RealWear will manufacture Hippo’s dedicated headsets, and Hippo will develop the software. The software is also compatible with other head-mounted displays and smart glasses. Hippo charges a hardware installation fee and a monthly license fee based on usage.
The company began coming together three years ago when Hamilton, who hails from a family of healthcare professionals, teamed up with Quinlan and Sulaiman to test headsets for patient care in Nigeria.
According to a 2019 CNN article about his life, Sulaiman was born in Nigeria and has long worked to provide healthcare in the country. Sulaiman is his CEO and founder of RNZ Global, a healthcare management and services company operating in sub-Saharan Africa and using Hippo’s platform.
Hippo is also used for medical education by the University of Barry and other customers. It was deployed in Chinese hospitals early in the pandemic and is being used in dialysis clinics in Guatemala.
The startup has 10 employees, including Chief Technology Officer Ivan Lumala. Ivan Lumala was Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft 4Afrika. Microsoft 4Afrika is the technology giant’s effort to grow its business on the continent by fostering innovation in the region.
Hippo says it sets itself apart from other virtual care companies by offering a team-based clinical workflow that allows multiple clinicians to consult on a patient’s case.
Hippo is an acronym that reflects the Hippocratic Oath. It stands for health, integrity, people, purpose and results.
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