Neko Health’s $700M Raise Expands AI Body Scans in the US
Neko Health recently closed a $700 million Series C funding round to expand its AI-powered body scanning clinics into the United States. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and co-led by O.G. Venture Partners, pushing the company’s total funding past $1 billion. This investment signals a clear shift in how the healthcare industry is thinking about prevention over treatment.
The Stockholm-based company was co-founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and has already built a strong footprint across Sweden and the UK. With clinics operating in Stockholm, London, and Manchester, Neko Health has built up a global waitlist of over 300,000 people. The US expansion starts with New York City, with the first clinic expected to open in 2026.
The Technology Behind the Scans
Neko Health clinics use a system of over 70 proprietary sensors, including high-resolution cameras, lasers, and radar. These sensors collect millions of data points about a patient in a matter of minutes. An AI system then analyzes this data to flag potential health risks for clinician review.
The full-body scan takes around 20 seconds inside the scanning pod. Results are reviewed and explained by a clinician on the same day. This combination of speed and clinical oversight sets Neko apart from traditional screening programs.
- Skin Analysis: The system maps the entire body surface and can detect skin changes as small as 0.2 millimeters. This level of detail makes it effective at spotting unusual moles or early signs of skin cancer. The scan captures around 20,000 images of the skin in a single session.
- Cardiovascular Tracking: Neko’s sensors include ECG monitoring, murmur sound detection, and blood pressure measurement. These tools work together to identify potential heart issues that might otherwise go undetected for years. Radar sensors also measure blood flow and pulse patterns to add another layer of cardiovascular insight.
- Metabolic Indicators: The scan evaluates physical markers that may point to underlying metabolic conditions. Blood analysis is included as part of the visit, giving clinicians a broader picture of a patient’s health. This helps catch early warning signs of conditions like diabetes or thyroid dysfunction.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration actively regulates AI-powered medical diagnostic software to protect patient safety. Neko Health continuously tests its models to maintain accuracy and meet compliance requirements as it enters the US market.
Expansion Plans in the United States
The $700 million will fund a significant rollout of new scanning centers across the US. Neko Health is targeting major urban markets first, starting with New York City. This approach focuses resources where demand for preventive healthcare is highest.
- Clinic Construction: The company will build new facilities equipped with its proprietary scanning pods and integrated consultation spaces. Each location is designed as a single environment where scanning, AI analysis, and clinician review all happen under one roof. This keeps the patient experience seamless and efficient.
- Data Localization: Neko Health will establish US-based data infrastructure to process and store health information securely. Keeping data within US borders is a key part of meeting federal privacy requirements. It also reduces latency and improves performance for US-based patients.
- Regulatory Compliance: The company’s teams are working to meet strict federal standards for medical records and patient privacy. This includes aligning with requirements set by federal health regulators before clinics open to the public. Compliance is built into the expansion plan from the start, not added as an afterthought.
All patient data must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets the national standard for protecting sensitive health information. Neko Health encrypts all scan results to keep patient profiles private and secure.
The Shift Toward Preventive AI
Medical AI is shifting focus from treating sick patients to keeping healthy people well. Investors are putting serious money into technologies that catch disease before symptoms appear. This proactive model has the potential to reduce long-term healthcare costs significantly.
Early detection dramatically improves survival rates for conditions like melanoma and heart disease. Catching these conditions in their earliest stages means less invasive treatment and better outcomes. Neko Health’s goal is to make comprehensive body scanning as routine as a standard dental checkup.
The company’s rapid growth reflects a broader trend in health tech. Consumers are increasingly interested in understanding their health before problems develop. Neko Health is positioning itself at the center of that demand.
Summary
Neko Health’s $700 million Series C is one of the largest funding rounds in preventive health tech to date. The company will use this capital to bring its advanced body scanning clinics to the United States, starting in New York City. For patients, this expansion means faster, more accurate early disease detection could soon be available in their own city.