To increase access to reasonably priced dental care, SA e-health startup Mia raises $920K funding

Mia Healthcare Technologies, a South African e-health startup, has raised ZAR15 million (US$920,000) in funding to increase access to reasonably priced dental care.

Founded in 2021 by Drs. Zane Stennings and Karishma Soni, Mia Healthcare offers high-quality, locally made clear aligners at a more affordable price point by addressing concerns about cost, location, and access to dental facilities through an expanding network of mobile and fixed dental practices.

The startup has now raised ZAR15 million (US$920,000) from the Vumela Fund to further its goal of expanding Southern Africa’s access to reasonably priced orthodontic and dental care.

It is anticipated that the Vumela Fund investment will open the next stage of growth, allowing the business to increase its manufacturing capacity, broaden its national reach, and keep getting better.

“This funding not only reflects confidence in Mia and enables our next phase of growth but also underscores that the dental market is one worth watching, with significant potential for innovation, scale, and impact. In an environment where growth capital is not easy to secure, we are deeply grateful for Edge’s belief in our vision and for the trust they have placed in us,” said Stenning.

“For Mia, this investment is a strong validation of the mission we are pursuing alongside our partnered dentists: bringing high-quality, accessible dental products and care models to market that improve patient outcomes while creating meaningful growth opportunities for practitioners. We are delighted to be partnering with Edge as we continue building a platform that can help transform dental care in South Africa and beyond.”

Mia Healthcare is an exciting company with a relevant and innovative service offering, according to Sally Kitley, associate principal at Edge Growth.

“They have an impressive management team with deep industry knowledge and an innovative approach to dentistry that is supported by a stable and robust market,” she said. “The team showed exceptional dedication and were professional to work with, showing resilience and rigour throughout the investment process. We are confident that they will lead a successful business and we are excited about the growth that our funding unlocks.”