Forward Health (t/a Pando Health) secures £3.79 million Series A investment led by Skip Capital

Forward Health rebrands to Pando Health and welcomes new investors to accelerate international expansion

London, UK – Forward Health, the healthcare communications tool launched by NHS doctors, has today unveiled a company rebrand and announced new investor backing from Skip Capital as it accelerates plans for international launch.

The company, which provides professionals in over 200 NHS hospitals with secure and efficient tools to communicate around patient care, will be known from today as Pando. The new name reflects the increasing scope of their activity as well as translates effectively across borders.

Co-CEO and co-founder Dr Barney Gilbert comments:

“We started our journey as Forward because it perfectly encapsulated what we set out to do: to create tools to help ward-based NHS clinicians struggling with outdated technology. “As we’ve grown over the past three years, our community of over 25,000 clinicians have shown us the true impact better communication can have within, between and outside the ward. The platform is now used by healthcare professionals and others far beyond the walls of the hospital, and we’re seeing demand from global healthcare systems increasing by the day. Forward was perfect for the start of our journey, but as we look ahead and scale internationally we need a unique name that reflects our broader ambition. We chose Pando, the name of the world’s largest living organism.”



The Pando tree is the largest living organism known. It is identified by its massive, single interconnected root system. Dr Gilbert adds:

“When we discovered this origin of the name Pando we felt a powerful affinity between the name and what we’re building: a network of interconnected healthcare professionals and patients, made stronger by growing together.”

Alongside their rebrand, Pando welcomes Skip Capital as an investor for this next phase of growth. Skip Capital is a billion dollar fund led by Kim Jackson and the co-founder and co-CEO of Atlassian, Scott Farquhar. Skip Capital invests in technology enabled businesses who are solving global problems. Pando is the first European healthtech investment for the fund. Skip Capital joins existing investors Stride.VC and Albion Capital in a $5 million raise designed to accelerate Pando’s international expansion and deepen the value they deliver.

Co-CEO and co-founder Philip Mundy comments:

“Skip Capital are a phenomenal partner, and we’re thrilled to have their backing and the continued support of Stride.VC as we push ahead with our growth plans. Skip understands not only what we’re building, but also why it’s so important. With this support, we have the resources to take our network to scale, while cementing our position within UK healthcare.”

The funds will support a headcount expansion to 35 and scale Pando’s reach outside of the UK. International demand for the service has increased sharply over recent months, with a waiting list that now numbers thousands of departments and professionals. In Q1 2020, Pando will become available to healthcare teams throughout India, Canada, and Australia, with more markets to follow.

Kim Jackson, from Skip Capital, comments:

“Pando combines everything we look for in a company; passionate founders solving a fundamental, global problem with a positive impact. From our first meeting, I could tell the team was fiercely committed to making a difference, and we are excited to join the journey. Their success across the NHS shows how overdue a revolution in health and social care communication truly is and we’re looking forward to supporting them as they scale their impact internationally.”

Pando is a critical component in the provision of excellent patient care and has already transformed how thousands of teams throughout the UK health system communicate. The company plans to widen access to the platform by providing more immediate ways to access expert clinical knowledge for both healthcare professionals and patients.

Their vision is to transform the way healthcare expertise is shared and accessed, giving everyone the best specialist healthcare experience whenever and wherever they need it.

According to a study conducted across several Trusts, 74% of NHS staff who use Pando reported that it improved their workplace satisfaction and 68% said that it enabled them to deliver better patient care.

Kathryn Sollesta, A&E Nurse at Kingston Hospital says,

“Knowing the NHS can be changed from within by its own doctors and nurses gives us hope.”

James Bedford, Consultant Surgeon at Wythenshawe Hospital, comments:

“Pando has transformed the way we deliver care. It fills a massive gap as it lets us communicate quickly and securely to allow complex and fast decision making.”

ENDS

Manoj Ranaweera

Manoj has founded, failed and successfully exited from a number of technology product companies as well as support organisations since 2004. Among them, Northern Tech Awards and edocr.com were acquired by GP Bullhound and Accusoft, Inc respectively. Today, Manoj is building a trusted support network for technology companies. He is working with founding teams to help them accelerate including raising investment and M&A.

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