A Better Start: Announcing Our Investment in SimpliFed’s Maternal Health Mission
The Artemis Fund believes technology can create prosperity for all. With offices in New York, Texas, and Nevada, Artemis leads seed rounds for companies creating resilient families, individuals, and businesses across the US.
Imagine being told your health and your baby’s life depend on care that’s hours away — or unavailable. For over 5.5 million women in the U.S., this is a harsh reality, due to a critical shortage of maternal healthcare providers. Rising maternal age, chronic conditions, and systemic inequities amplify the risks, especially in rural areas where maternal mortality rates are double those in cities.
Since 2011, 267 hospitals in rural areas have discontinued obstetric services. Remote care solutions offer a lifeline, bridging the gap in access, reducing barriers, and providing vital support. Addressing these challenges isn’t just about saving lives — it’s about preventing heartbreaking losses and reducing billions in healthcare costs annually.
Artemis invests in technology that eases the demands of caregiving, empowering women and families to thrive. We see immense value in supporting scalable solutions that improve maternal health outcomes, alleviate strain on the healthcare system, and tackle systemic inequities.
The Artemis Fund is proud to announce our investment in SimpliFed’s $4M seed extension round, alongside lead investor Morningside, with participation from The Venture Collective and Cultivation Capital.
In the U.S. there are about 4 million births per year, and we spend more than $100 billion on pregnancy and childbirth. Lactation and high risk support alone is a $12B market.
SimpliFed is a virtual lactation support and remote patient monitoring platform that provides care from 28 weeks of pregnancy through postpartum. Unlike employer-directed solutions, SimpliFed meets patients where they are, making it easy to access care when it’s needed most.
Covered by major insurance providers, SimpliFed stands out with its Maternal Health Operating System (mOS). The platform uses automated, bi-directional integrations with healthcare systems to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and efficiently scale support nationally.
Andrea Ippolito, Founder & CEO, is a proven entrepreneur and health innovation leader with an exit to Athenahealth and expertise in telehealth and healthcare modernization. Gaj Sunthara, CTO and Technical Co-Founder, is a former Presidential Innovation Fellow, healthcare interoperability expert, and founder of 1upHealth, with multiple successful exits.
The Opportunity
The maternal care market presents a significant market opportunity:
- 6–8% of pregnancies in the U.S. are considered high risk
- 1 in 10 babies are born preterm in the U.S., typically ending up in the neonatal intensive care unit, and driving massive cost for health plans
- 42% (or 1.63M) of all childbirths are financed by Medicaid
- $27.2B to $78.2B in unneeded spending, such as: over-treatment or low value care, pricing failures, fraud and abuse, administrative complexity, and failures in coordination of care
The Solution
SimpliFed delivers a virtual-first maternal health platform powered by its Maternal Health Operating System (mOS). Key features include:
- Lactation and Postnatal Support: Virtual appointments with certified consultants, mental health screenings, and high-risk cardio OB support
- Remote Monitoring: Wireless-enabled tools for high-risk patients, with plans to expand to glucose, anemia, and thyroid monitoring
- Patient Engagement: Automated workflows that improve attendance at postpartum and well-baby visits
- Healthcare Integration: Direct EHR connections and analytics tools for risk stratification and patient escalation
The Impact
SimpliFed’s virtual model bridges gaps in care, reaching patients most impacted by social determinants of health. With 84% of pregnancy-related deaths deemed preventable, their solution provides early and consistent prenatal support to improve outcomes. By expanding access, addressing inequities, and delivering measurable results, SimpliFed is reshaping maternal health — and we’re proud to partner with them on this important mission.
Learn more about the companies in our portfolio on our website. If you’re a founder innovating in commerce enablement, fintech, or the care economy, pitch us here!
