Connecting Overseas Patients With Korean Clinics
Jivaka Care, a Korean startup that provides healthcare information and booking services for overseas patients, has attracted investments totaling 600 million won (US$540,000).
The company announced on Dec. 12 that it has received seed round investments from Springcamp, a venture capital subsidiary of Naver Corp., and multiple angel investors.
Jivaka Care connects overseas patients with Korean optometrists, dermatologists, dentists and plastic surgeons and provides assistance in making reservations at Korean clinics.
While the traditional medical tourism industry relies on offline brokers who introduce tourists to medical services, Jivaka Care differentiates its business by establishing an online platform, which uses Google search advertisements and social media marketing to reach overseas patients.
Patients from countries like the Unites States, Britain, Singapore, and Hong Kong are using Jivaka Care’s services, and dozens of patients have already visited Korea through its service within the first two months since its launch.
Nam Hong-gyu, vice president of Springcamp, said, “Startups are bringing radical changes to the healthcare market. We believe Jivaka Care’s outstanding team will bring innovation to the global healthcare market based on their experience in global business.”
Jivaka Care’s CEO Lee Ji-hong said, “We plan to use the investment funds for creating quality content to better introduce Korean healthcare services and for beefing up online marketing to reach foreign patients.” He added, “We are determined to connect foreign patients to the best healthcare services in Korea.”