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PUSHDOCTOR.CO.UK RAISES $8.2 MILLION IN SERIES A FUNDING
 

PushDoctor.co.uk, Europe’s largest online GP marketplace today [January 7th, 2016] announced that it has raised an $8.2million round of Series A financing.

The round was jointly led by Oxford Capital and Draper Esprit, who are joined by Partech Ventures. The Company now sits along side global disrupters including Lyst and TrustPilot in the stables that have previously been the home of Skype, Baidu and Tesla.

PushDoctor.co.uk is changing the way everyone can access healthcare using its on-demand online GP surgery, making healthcare accessible for the tens of millions of people in the UK who find seeing a doctor difficult.

The Care Quality Commission-regulated and NHS-commissioned service allows patients to book and attend secure video GP appointments seven days per week, 365 days of the year, via a website and iOS app.

The Company had previously raised a $1.2 million seed round, bringing its total funding to date to $9.4million.

PushDoctor.co.uk plans to use the investment to strengthen its brand position as category leader, carry out further product innovations, expand the business’ management structure, including making key marketing and product hires and to further its industry-connectivity; offering patients a simpler and more powerful set of routes into the healthcare eco-system.

Eren Ozagir, founder and CEO at PushDoctor.co.uk, comments: “PushDoctor.co.uk is the category leading digital primary care provider and will continue to work to provide UK patients with the ability to see a doctor whenever they want in a matter of minutes, at a price that is affordable and super-sustainable.

Ozagir continues: “We are all about usage, we want patients to get the advice they want from real doctors, in person and at a time that is convenient for them. This investment will allow us to continue to deliver important step-changes in digital health. We believe that having the ability to see a doctor on-demand speeds up the patient journey to recovery and that every patient should have the choice to reach for professional advice when they need to.”

As part of the deal, Oxford Capital managing director of growth capital, Tom Bradley and Draper Esprit partner, Vishal Gulati will both join the PushDoctor.co.uk board as non-executive directors.

Tom Bradley said: “We are excited to be working with the PushDoctor.co.uk team, who are truly creating a digital healthcare brand for the long term; a brand that people will turn to in important moments - for real help. It has the potential to change lives with each and every connection.

Bradley continues: “The service is uniquely positioned to provide UK patients with the next level of digitised medical services and a super fast connection to all parts of the healthcare eco-system - literally in minutes you can get a referral letter and activate your medical insurance, or receive a prescription for the medication you need. This is something that most patients will have never experienced before.”

Vishal Gulati commented: “With developments in digital technologies, access to high quality medical care which serves patients’ needs in the most appropriate manner should not be limited by the constraints of physical location. PushDoctor.co.uk is a highly valuable point of connection that assists patients to find their way through their individual care journeys – and it will continue especially as the industry itself digitizes.

“I am very pleased to be joining the PushDoctor.co.uk team and look forward to working with them to continue to provide a hugely valuable human connection for patients who want answers in real-time from a live medical professional, both efficiently and on their own terms.”

The business was established in early 2013, after Ozagir fell ill while overseas and noticed a gap in the market for primary care from UK-based doctors on the go, and became the first On-Demand Remote Care provider to launch in the UK App Store. PushDoctor.co.uk has since grown to become the fastest-growing clinician network in the country.

The platform enables patients to connect to qualified GMC registered private GPs in minutes in a HIPAA-approved video-surgery, and patients benefit from instant access to professional medical advice from a UK doctor who can prescribe, refer or provide a sick note.

The service charges £25 for a 10-minute appointment with a General Medical Council-regulated GP, while prescriptions are £4.50 and referral letters or fit for work notes are £12.50.

PushDoctor.co.uk was advised by Tim Dempsey of Epiphany Capital and Jonathan Gillow from Hill Dickinson LLP whilst Oxford Capital and Draper Esprit were advised by Barry Maytum of Keystone Law LLP.

Marks & Spencer recommended as a ‘buy’ as online and food sales continue to rise

·         News came this morning that CEO Mark Bolland will retire this year and hand the baton to merchandise chief Steve Rowe in April

·         Unseasonal conditions and stock availability were to blame for the poor sales performance in the group’s general merchandise division

·         The Share Centre recommends Marks & Spencer as a ‘buy’ for medium risk investors

As Marks & Spencer updates the market Ian Forrest, Investment Research Analyst at The Share Centre, explains what it means for investors.

“Marks & Spencer announced third quarter trading figures this morning, covering the period up to Boxing Day, and along with it came news of the departure of chief executive Marc Bolland. Like-for-like UK sales were down 2.5% although investors should acknowledge that online revenues rose 21%. Food saw a 0.4% improvement, while general merchandise recorded a 5.8% drop due to unseasonal weather and stock availability. However, investors should note that the group stated profit margins at the latter business would be better than previously expected. The company has once again reported that general merchandise was facing challenging trading conditions, with unprecedented levels of promotional activity across the market.

“These results were certainly a mixed bag, as expected, but the departure of Marc Bolland will provide an opportunity for a fresh approach and further change. As a result, we continue to recommend Marks and Spencer as a ‘buy’ due to the strength of the growing food business, the significant potential to increase profitability in general merchandise, rising disposable incomes and the healthy dividend. The lower oil price, along with a growing UK economy, should continue to be supportive of results ahead.”

Kimble Applications grows US team with the appointment of a new VP

Kimble Applications, the vendor of a leading professional services automation (PSA) solution, is pleased to announce the addition of Doug D’Argenio to its team. Doug has been appointed Vice President North America and will be responsible for enhancing Kimble’s sales to major accounts and enterprises in the region.

Doug has a wealth of experience in the software sector and joins Kimble from Unanet Technologies, a PSA solution focused on government contractors. He also has extensive expertise in software as a service (SaaS) business development and sales.

Sean Hoban, CEO of Kimble Applications, comments: “We’re very pleased to add Doug to our growing US team. His background is an excellent match for Kimble because he has a superb knowledge of PSA and SaaS, as well as extensive experience building and managing consulting organizations.

“Having placed 13th on the Deloitte 2015 Technology EMEA Fast 500 list, we have big ambitions for Kimble and are aiming to continue strong growth in the US. We’re confident that Doug will be an integral part of that success,” finishes Sean.

Doug comments: “I’ve joined Kimble at an exciting time when it’s growing quickly and securing some great clients. SaaS is an exciting area to be in as organizations are discovering what growth they can facilitate with best-of-breed components.”

“The fact that Kimble is embedded in the Salesforce App Cloud means that organizations can choose the apps that suit their business and build multi-vendor suites, rather than the single vendor ERP-style suites of the past. I’m looking forward to spreading the word about Kimble and helping ambitious organizations supercharge their growth,” finishes Doug.

Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The George Washington University.