Ilara Health, a health-tech company in Kenya, has received $4.2 million in a pre-Series A round to amplify its operations. The funding will facilitate the expansion of health care access through a B2B service model, enabling uninsured workers to access care at partner clinics for a fixed monthly fee.
The equity round, totaling $2.5 million, was led by DOB Equity with contributions from the Philips Foundation and existing investors including AAIC Investment, Angaza Capital, Black Pearl Investments, and Perivoli Innovations. Debt investment was provided by Alphamundi, Kiva Capital, and Boehringer Ingelheim. This brings Ilara Health’s total funding to $11.7 million.
Originally focused on leasing diagnostic devices to clinics in 2019, Ilara Health has evolved to offer pharmaceutical products and other essential items on credit, empowering private healthcare operators to deliver quality primary healthcare.
Emilian Popa, Ilara’s CEO, explains that the startup addresses the quality of care issue in Kenya by providing well-equipped clinics capable of meeting patient needs.
While Kenya’s government-run facilities suffer from underinvestment, private healthcare centers have become a preferred option for those with medical coverage or who can afford to pay out of pocket. Ilara Health serves 3,000 clinics across Kenya out of an estimated 15,000 operational ones.
To enhance clinic operations, Ilara Health provides monthly subscription-based practice management software, digitizing processes and improving business management.
In its next growth phase, Ilara Health plans to extend access to outpatient services through a B2B health and occupational service, partnering with employers to provide employees with care at partner clinics.
Emilian Popa, who founded Ilara Health after years in management consulting and Africa’s tech ecosystem, emphasizes the startup’s mission to improve healthcare access in Kenya.
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