Keio Innovation Initiative contributed to a $20m round that increased the total funding for medical access app developer CureApp, partially based on Keio University research, to nearly $39m.

Japan-based medical booking app developer CureApp received ¥2.2bn ($20.4m) in funding from investors including Keio Innovation Initiative (KII), the venture fund of Keio University, today.
The round also featured diversified trading group Itochu’s corporate venturing unit Itochu Technology Ventures (ITV), insurance provider Dai-ichi Life and property developer Mori Trust.
Mizuho Capital, the venture capital arm of financial services group Mizuho Bank, as well as holding companies Koshidaka and Intage, VC firm Iwagin Jigyo Souzou Capital filled out the round.
CureApp has built an app that allows patients to access tailored therapeutic intervention outside of normal hospital hours. It also works with corporate clients to promote their employees’ physical and mental wellness.
The funding will be used to address struggles faced by Japan’s healthcare system, including financial challenges and a shortage of doctors. The company also plans to leverage the resources of its corporate investors to improve its digital healthcare business.
CureApp launched a US subsidiary called CureApp North America in March this year, and aims to accelerate clinical trials for app-based treatments for hypertension and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, both at home and abroad, designing apps similar to those used to treat nicotine addiction.
The round took CureApp’s overall funding to about $39m. CureApp secured $14.2m in a March 2018 round featuring KII, ITV, Dai-ichi Life, Mizuho Capital, Saison Ventures and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, subsidiaries of payment services provider Credit Saison and financial services firm Mitsubishi UFJ.
Cyberdyne, Chibagin Capital, Beyond Next Ventures and Iwagin Jigyo Souzou Capital also took part in the round.
The company had previously received $3.4m in an early 2017 round featuring KII, Beyond Next Ventures and SBI Investment, a VC subsidiary of financial services group SBI, following a $890,000 investment by Beyond Next two years earlier.
– A version of this article first appeared on our sister site, Global Corporate Venturing.

Edison Fu

Edison Fu is head of Asia development at Global Corporate Venturing.