Ezra raises $18M in new funding led by FirstMark Capital. The firm intends to use the newly raised investment to cut down the cost of MRI-based cancer scanning
Fremont, CA: Ezra, the NY-based startup focused on transforming the early screening of cancer using MRI and artificial intelligence, raised $18M in its latest funding round. The venture capital firm FirstMark Capital led the round, with new investors such as Jeff Raider and Dave Gilboa (co-founders of Harry's and Warby Parker), Vlad Tenev (co-founder of Robinhood), Fred Destin (co-founder of Stride VC), and Andrei Dunca (co-founder & CTO of LiveRail). Existing investors Accomplice, Seedcamp, Credo Ventures, Founders Future, LDV Capital, Esther Dyson, Taavet Hinrikus, Daniel Dines, Dave McClure, and Jeremy Arditi also participated.
Ezra will use the latest funding to extend the medical imaging AIs to make MRI-based cancer screening more accessible. The company is also launching Ezra COVID 360, a low-dose CT scan of the lungs to detect damage caused by COVID - 19, paired with an antibody blood test to check for IgG and IgM antibodies. The new plan is designed for those individuals who want to understand the potential of the long-term impact of COVID-19 on their lung health and verify their antibody status.
"Our mission at Ezra is to help everyone in the world detect cancer early, and give individuals a path to longer, healthier lives through data and preventative care. More than 1.5 million people in the US have been infected with the coronavirus, and many of them may have long-lasting lung damage caused by the virus. The Ezra COVID 360 enables individuals to get a look inside their lungs, empowering them with the data necessary to make better decisions about their health," said Emi Gal, CEO, and co-founder of Ezra.
One out of three people are diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, and more than half of the population discovers it late. Ezra is enhancing the early cancer detection via its proprietary full-body MRI scan that takes under an hour and screens for cancer in more than 12 organs. The company is also innovating an AI-based design to minimize the cost of MRI-based cancer screening. The first Ezra AI, created to assist radiologists in their analysis of prostate MRI scans, is currently under FDA review.
"FirstMark, we look for ambitious founders building iconic companies that change the world. I am inspired by what Emi, Diego, and their team have created and look forward to building a meaningful, long-lasting company together," said Rick Heitzmann, partner and founder of FirstMark Capital. Mr. Heitzmann will join the Ezra board of directors alongside Mr. Gal, Diego Cantor Ph.D., Ezra's CTO and co-founder, and existing investor Ryan Moore, partner at Accomplice.
"I am thrilled to be partnering with FirstMark Capital, and Rick Heitzmann for our Series A. Rick is one of the smartest, most thoughtful investors I have met and has a strong thesis on empowering consumers to take ownership of their health through data and preventative care. I look forward to building an important company together," said Emi Gal, CEO, and co-founder of Ezra.
