Level Ex just unlocked a major achievement.
On Tuesday, the medical gaming startup announced that it has raised an $11 million Series A round of funding. Level Ex will use the funding to expand its suite of mobile apps and virtual and augmented reality experiences used by medical professionals to sharpen their skills.
“Over a billion consumers worldwide play video games, products designed and built by combining cutting-edge tech with a deep understanding of human psychology,” said CEO Sam Glassenberg in a statement.
“Doctors, in contrast, are stuck with dated formats using technology at least twenty years behind the games industry," Glassenberg added. "Now, we’re finally bridging this gap, and providing doctors with ultra-realistic visuals and gameplay mechanics to advance their skills using the mobile devices they already own.”
Following the Series A round, Level Ex will add to its game development, medical and marketing teams. The startup will also open a new Boston office to support its growing number of partnerships in the medical device and pharmaceuticals industry.
"We plan to reach 60 employees by early 2018," Glassenberg told Built In Chicago. "We will ramp up to 45 employees in Chicago and up to 15 employees in the new Boston office."
The round was led by 4490 Ventures, with participation from JAZZ Venture Partners and Pritzker Group Venture Capital.
“Level Ex is disrupting the $30 billion global industry of how medical device and pharmaceutical companies engage and educate physicians on new products,” said Dan Malvern, managing director of 4490 Ventures, in a statement.
“The team has a unique combination of cutting-edge technological skills and a deep understanding of the unmet needs of physicians, medical societies, and medical device and pharmaceutical companies,” Malvern continued.
Level Ex’s first app, Airway Ex, lets players diagnose and perform challenging airway procedures. Users are given scores based on their accuracy, speed and the amount of damage inflicted to their virtual patient. In addition to earning high scores and unlocking new challenges, players can also earn continuing medical education credit for completing levels.
Upcoming products include games for gastroenterologists and cardiologists. Glassenberg said "Gastro Ex" will be available in October and that the company's cardiology game will launch sometime in 2018. The company plans to offer increased support for augmented reality and virtual reality with these titles.
Level Ex has raised $13.1 million since launching in 2015.
Images via social media.
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