Public-Purpose Technology Intelligence
Summary
- Founded in 2016
- Total funding £74 million
- Latest venture round: £54 million
- Revenue: $120m in less than four years
- Investors include Kairos, Guinness Asset Management
- 200 FTEs, 5,000 carers
- Key clients/partners: NHS, UKHCA, Care Inspectorate Wales, UK Government Department for Health and Social Care
- Key executives: Dr. Ben Maruthappu, Co-founder and CEO: medical doctor and senior NHS advisor; Yvonne Hignell, COO: veteran health and social care executive; Igal Aciman, Chief Commercial Officer: entrepreneur that has led two successful exits, former McKinsey consultant, Harvard MBA; Horus Patel, CTO: formerly led Data and Technology for Reed.co.uk
Profile
The British population is aging: currently around a fifth of Britons are over 65, and this number is expected to increase to a quarter by 2050. Cera partners with more than 100 local governments and NHS trusts to deliver care services to elderly and vulnerable patients.
Cera’s core technology offering is a digital interface connecting caregivers and recipients or their families. The platform digitalises and automates the coordination, management and monitoring of home visits. It also optimises homecare matching, using filters like area, language, and type of care-giving experience. Results to date have included better health outcomes for patients, and higher staff retention rates and lower overheads for organisations provisioning social care.
Through its digital infrastructure, Cera collects lots of data about their patients–from eating schedules to symptoms they may be experiencing. Recently, Cera has launched an AI-powered platform, SmartCare, which leverages this data to predict healthcare needs of their patients and promote preventative interventions. CEO Dr. Mahiben Maruthappu reports that their SmartCare technology allows them to identify and respond to changes in user health 30x faster than other care providers. The ultimate goal of using these algorithms is to reduce hospitalisations, lower caregivers costs for healthcare providers, and improve patients’ health. SmartCare’s machine learning algorithm has reportedly already predicted more than 700 previously undetected health issues at an accuracy rate of 82%. The algorithm enables Cera to provide patients with a highly personalised service.
The company actively recruits carers and is the UK Government Department for Health and Social Care’s recruitment technology partner. Cera partnered with DHSC to create
www.JoinSocialCare.co.uk, which has had tens of thousands of applicants to apply to work in care. Thousands of care providers also offer roles through the platform. Cera provides training to new caregivers, and is targeting former workers in the hospitality, retail, and travel sectors whose jobs were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. They currently deliver 25,000 home visits every day.
Plans
- Filled 5,000 jobs in 2020 and anticipates an additional 5,000 jobs in 2021.
- Cera anticipates that its recent expansion to Scotland puts it on track to double sales by 2022.
Who Should Speak To This Company
Healthcare providers and public sector organisations involved in the provisioning of social care.
Company In Action
Cera’s AI-powered Concern Predictor tool analyses carers’ reports, looking at both structured data (specific health observations) and free text (using sentiment analysis). The system triggers an alert when it predicts a higher likelihood of a fall or hospital admission. A regional care manager then manually investigates this report and takes action if deemed necessary. Each day, Concern Predictor analyses upwards of 500 cases.
StateUp View
Cera’s remarkable growth in less than 5 years suggests it is addressing a real need. The executive team, led by Dr. Mahiben Maruthappu, brings notable healthcare, commercial, and technical expertise. Cera is already deeply embedded in the UK healthcare ecosystem, and there are clear opportunities for expansion to Europe and beyond.
Cera’s core product relies on a steady supply of carers. This positions them well for the post-Covid environment, with a large supply of workers looking to reskill to fit the changing needs of the economy.
Cera’s use of AI aims to cut costs and improve outcomes. The use of AI for health and social care is both useful and sensitive. As Cera further develops its AI offering, ensuring patient confidentiality will be paramount.
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