A tech company founded by an Oscar and Bafta-winning entrepreneur in Gloucestershire has raised £1m to develop a breastfeeding support app.
Computer graphics and animation expert Dr Chen Mao Davies, who was part of the visual effects team for films such as Gravity and Blade Runner 2049, founded femtech company LatchAid after facing her own struggles with breastfeeding.
The app uses interactive 3D animations, artificial intelligence, virtual peer support groups and live healthcare specialists to assist women who are having problems getting their baby to latch.
The femtech start-up has announced it has closed a seed funding round, taking total investment in the venture to £1m.
The raise came from a mix of loans from government innovation agency Innovate UK, a convertible loan note from the KQ Labs accelerator programme, and equity investment from expert business angel investors.
LatchAid founder and chief executive Dr Davies said: “As a Chinese female solo entrepreneur running a women’s health business, it’s not easy to find investment. But if you can find the right investors, great ideas and a great team will ultimately attract funding.”
The angel group was led by Dan Cobley, former managing director of Google UK & Ireland, and also included venture capitalist Eileen Burbidge and Priya Oberoi, founding partner of the female-centred healthcare fund, Goddess Gaia Ventures.
Mr Cobley said: “Chen has already achieved so much with such limited resources. I am convinced that, with this funding and the support of such a great group of investors, LatchAid will grow to be an amazing force for good in this critical health area, first in the UK and then across the world. ”
Latchaid said the funds from this round will be used to add to its technical and commercial teams and expand the company’s offerings to healthcare organisations, corporates and insurance companies.
Latchaid’s platform was previously trialled by the NHS as part of a pilot project across parts of the South West.
Last year Cirencester-based Dr Davies was selected as one of 10 winners of Innovate UK's 2021 Women in Innovation Awards.
And she was listed in BusinessLive's 22 rising stars for Women in Business 2022.
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