MediShout, the app for frontline hospital staff to resolve facilities and equipment issues, has closed a £1 million seed round from Venture Capital fund Episode 1, supported by law firm Shakespeare Martineau.
The app, founded by London-based NHS surgeon Ash Kalraiya, connects staff, equipment suppliers and service maintenance teams. It enables frontline staff to report and resolve operational issues directly and easily using the app. By using data and AI, MediShout predicts and prioritises issues in the hospital’s facilities and equipment to ensure that patients can receive the best possible care.
Ash Kalraiya said: “As a surgeon, I have all too often been delayed by items like lightbulbs in the theatre being broken, faulty equipment or not having the right stock when I need it. We founded MediShout to stop such frustrating issues from getting in the way of patient care. Our ultimate vision is to use AI and digital technologies to transform our hospitals into smart-buildings that run smoothly.”
The app is already being used by six hospitals and several equipment suppliers, and with this new round of funding, the team plans to expand to over 20 hospitals in 18 months.
Experts in medtech and entrepreneurial start-up businesses, Shakespeare Martineau, supported Medishout with the transaction – advising on the investment process and terms from inception.
Ash added: “The Shakespeare Martineau team not only provide us with legal advice, but they have really helped guide our business performance while supporting us through some difficult negotiations. They have been an amazing source of personal support through tricky times, especially the pandemic, which I will be eternally grateful for.”
Partner and project lead Roger Harcourt said: “It has been a privilege to help Ash and his team on their journey. The Medishout system they’ve developed can deliver major efficiency gains to healthcare and other operations where the efficient deployment of resources is absolutely crucial and is now gaining significant traction in the market.
“Bringing Episode 1 on board recently was another major step toward achieving their ambitious growth goals. We look forward to continuing to support Medishout as it goes from strength to strength.”
During Covid-19, frontline staff are more reliant than ever on functioning equipment, logistics and infrastructure to treat patients. MediShout has already helped improve PPE allocation during the peak of Covid-19.
Carina Namih, Partner at Episode 1 Ventures adds: “Hospital facilities have been left behind by digital innovation for too long. As doctors and product designers, this team really understands how technology and AI can help frontline hospital staff be more effective. We are hugely excited by the positive impact that MediShout will have.”
