Detecting cancer early significantly improves survival rates (80%), simplifies treatment options, and ultimately reduces treatment costs. However, most early detection efforts focus on patients who are already likely to be showing symptoms of cancer. Ezra AI-powered full body MRI scans reduce the time needed to complete a scan and provide a true early detection option for cancer and over 500 other diseases. The company’s FDA-cleared AI technology behind the scan can be found in a leading imaging center in one of 18 locations in major cities across the U.S., with plans to have 50 locations in 20 cities by the end of the year. There are other providers that offer full body scans, but the cost is usually prohibitive in most cases, with prices starting at $5000+ per scan. For individuals, Ezra offers three different scan types ranging from $1350 to $2500, with plans to offer a $500 scan in the future. Family and multi-year plans are also available. Founded in 2018, this company is one of those rare startups that is actually changing the world with its mission of early cancer detection for everyone.
Alley surveillance Meet Ezra Founder and CEO Emily girl To learn more about the business, the company’s strategic plan, its latest financing and more…
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
We raised $21 million, bringing our total raised to $41 million. The round was co-led by: healthy capitalis a venture capital firm focused on applying innovative technologies to healthcare. Amir and RubinFormer CEO of Amazon One Medical. First Mark Capital co-led the round with the participation of Allianz Life Ventures (Venture Capital Division of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America); Schwarzman familyFormer Chairman of the UK National Health Service (NHS) Sir David Pryor, Gaingels, republic, and Mana Ventures. existing investors Credo Ventures, Seedcamp, LDV Capital, Accomplice, Founders Future, Vlad Tenev, Anne Wojcickiand Esther Dyson also participated. Amir Dan Rubin will also join Ezra’s board of directors.
Please tell us about the products or services Ezra offers.
Five years ago, Ezra pioneered the field of whole-body MRI by becoming the first company in the U.S. to offer fast, accurate, and affordable AI-powered whole-body MRI scans. Since then we have scanned thousands of people and helped countless others identify cancer and over 500 other types of diseases early.
This year, 10 million people will be diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the chance of survival is less than 20%. At Ezra, we aim to detect cancer earlier and improve the chances of cure for 21 million people.
What inspired Ezra’s beginnings?
I am personally at high risk for cancer and have had cancer in my family (my mother passed away from metastatic colon cancer). Cancer is most curable when discovered early. She said that if her mother had caught her cancer early, she would probably still be alive.
How is Ezra different?
Ezra differentiates itself by leveraging proprietary AI across all three key components of the cancer screening process: imaging, analytics, and reporting. With these three AI innovations, Ezra has reduced the price of Ezra full body MRI scans by 40%, making Ezra Full Body Flash one of the most affordable full body MRI scans on the market.
What market is Ezra targeting and how big is it?
Our goal is to screen everyone in the world for cancer, so our market seems to be everyone over the age of 40. U.S. healthcare spending is 18% of GDP, and cancer is a big part of that.
What is your business model?
We offer different types of scans. 30-minute full body flash full body cancer screening scan ($1,350), 60-minute full body with spine and hip analysis ($1,950), and full body plus ($2,500) which includes lung cancer screening and coronary calcium scoring (for heart health analysis). Low-dose chest CT for.
Ezra’s business model is a direct-to-consumer, cash-only approach. We accept HSA/FSA dollars and offer monthly installment plans (through Afffirm).
How are you preparing for a potential economic slowdown?
Because we have the advantage of being an asset-light software and AI company, we have been able to maintain very little capital. Our current focus is on achieving profitability over the next 12 to 18 months.
How was the funding process?
We were fortunate to have great support from our existing investors (all of our institutional investors participated in this round). That means we had to meet a lot of funds to find the right partner for Ezra. We are thrilled that Healthier Capital is leading this round and that Amir is joining our Board of Directors.
What are the biggest challenges you face while raising capital?
Rather, most venture capital firms these days are very slow in deploying capital due to concerns about the macro environment.
What is it about your business that causes your investors to write a check?
Very fast growth 🙂
What milestones do you hope to achieve in the next six months?
Expand to more regions in the U.S. and continue to double down on your AI development.
What advice can you give to businesses in New York that are not seeing new capital flowing into their banks?
Keep the burn really, really low.
Where do you see the company going in the short term?
Our focus over the next year or two will be on expanding geographically and continuing to build AI to make scanning more affordable.
What are your favorite winter destinations in and around the city?
The wildflower farms in Gardiner, New York are truly amazing.
