Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Skipta, which oversees social media communities for medical specialties, has raised $2.5 million in its first round of funding, which was led by Mansa Capital.

Originally founded by a pharmacist seeking a safe, online space to consult with other pharmacists, Skipta now builds custom social media networks for medical specialists including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, radiologists, dentists, psychiatrists and more. The company currently runs 28 such networks, each of which has a unique design and is overseen by a steering committee of members from that particular network.

Skipta networks are free to join; the company makes money from advertising and by building internal networks for schools, organizations, and societies. Similarly to general social networks like Facebook, Skipta's networks are accessible online or via mobile devices.

“We are excited to collaborate with Mansa Capital," Skipta founder and CEO Dr. Theodore Search said in a statement. "They are an ideal partner to fuel Skipta’s mission to empower HCPs to be more effective, efficient and successful through shared values of integrity and collaboration, cementing our commitment to advancing healthcare services and technology.” 

Skipta will use the funds to speed up the development of new niche networks, increase membership in existing communities, and expand the company’s executive team.

Mansa, a Boston-based private equity firm, will add Skipta to a list of portfolio companies that currently includes Independent Living Systems and E4 Health.

"Skipta exemplifies what we’re looking for in healthcare growth equity investments—ones that leverage leading edge technology to increase patient engagement and improve outcomes in the post-reform environment," Ruben J. King-Shaw Jr., Mansa Capital Managing Partner and CIO, said in a statement.