London-based Doctify, which makes an online platform for people to search for doctors and book appointments, has closed a Series A round of funding on an amount which was undisclosed but described as seven figures. Global technology investor Amadeus Capital led the round.
Doctify’s platform, which was created by doctors in 2015 and covers 47 different specialties, enables would-be patients to search, compare reviews and prices and book appointments with medical specialists across the United Kingdom. Clinicians pay a fee to list on the platform, but the service is free to patients and is accessible on web or mobile devices. While the UK has publicly-funded National Health Service, the country’s private healthcare sector is expanding, and Doctify is focusing on the 25,000 to 30,000 consultant doctors who operate within the private sector.
“London has some of the very best specialists in the UK, and it is our dream to bring doctors and patients together,” Doctify cofounder Stephanie Eltz wrote on the company’s website. “We want to help people find the right health specialist, and provide them with the right guidance when they need it the most.”
Eltz was prompted to start the company when she was struggling to find a doctor for herself a few years ago. Although she is a surgeon, working in London, she still wasn’t sure where to find a particular specialist, and didn’t want to rely on Google. In addition to reviews, price comparisons, appointment bookings (which also help doctors better manage their schedules in case of a cancellation) Doctify’s website also features articles and tips from a team of physicians, as well as a social media presence. Eventually, Doctify plans to expand with a suite of interconnected mobile and web-based products, according to a company statement.
“Amadeus’s investment will enable Doctify to improve the platform, scale-up UK operations and realize our aim of becoming the largest online medical appointments booking service,” Eltz said in a statement. “Amadeus has significant experience and resources in the digital healthcare sector in the UK and beyond, which we will put to good use as Doctify develops plans to access international markets next year.”