$2.5 M secured by Cameroonian e-health startup Waspito in Seed extension round
In order to grow in current markets and enter new ones, Cameroonian e-health firm Waspito has raised US $2.5 million in funding, increasing the size of its seed round to US $5.2 million.
Waspito, which was founded in 2020 by Jean Lobe Lobe, allows consumers to instantly video consult with doctors using their cellphones. Additionally, it offers mobile laboratory services, in which a lab technician gathers sample data from the user’s residence and transmits digital results.
Waspito has so far served over 100,000 patients in Cameroon and Ivory Coast. It also boasts a health-focused social network where users can communicate anonymously with medical professionals who offer preventive care advice and answers to health-related queries. In the upcoming months, Waspito plans to expand to Senegal and Gabon.
Through the oversubscribed US $2.5 million seed extension round that it acquired from DP World through Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, AAIC Investment, Axian Ventures, and Health54, Waspito will be able to finance its expansion aspirations. This comes after a March 2022 seed round that raised US $2.7 million.
In addition, the funds will be utilized to broaden Waspito’s service offering in an effort to alleviate the scarcity of physicians and other issues facing the continent’s health systems by tying Africa’s health ecosystem together virtually.
“My team is focused on the big picture while thoroughly executing our growth strategy. This additional funding will enable us to hit the ground running in the new markets and solidify our leadership in the current ones,” said Lobe. “We are happy to see existing investors renew their confidence in the project by doubling down on their investment, and we are excited to welcome new investors – Health54, AAIC, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – bringing their network and experience at our disposal to enable us to improve access to healthcare across Africa.”