Funding Round attributes
Lupa, a veterinary services platform, has raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by firstminute capital, 2100 Ventures, and Vento by Exor Ventures. The round also saw participation from angel investors with backgrounds at organizations such as McKinsey, BCG, JP Morgan, Nexi, and NovaCapital. The funding will enable Lupa to accelerate its product development and expand its commercial operations.
Founded to address inefficiencies in veterinary practices, Lupa’s platform leverages AI and automation to streamline administrative workflows. The company highlights that veterinarians typically spend 10-20 hours per week on administrative tasks, time that could be better utilized providing care. Lupa’s team includes engineers from leading tech firms such as Google, Amazon, and Palantir, who have developed tools aimed at reducing the burden of these non-clinical responsibilities.
The platform offers a suite of features, including diagnostic suggestions, operational insights, and automated client communications. These capabilities are designed to help practices optimize their operations, reduce workload, and improve patient care. An AI-powered scribe automates clinical documentation, while portals for booking, payment, and communication aim to simplify interactions between veterinary staff and pet owners.
Nicolò Frisiani, co-founder and CEO of Lupa, emphasized the platform’s potential to transform the veterinary industry. “The veterinary industry desperately needs modern software solutions that can help practices handle growing demand while reducing administrative burden on overworked staff. We've built Lupa from the ground up to be AI-native, making it dramatically more efficient and easier to use than legacy systems that are holding practices back. Our early results show that practices can save significant time on administration while providing better care.”
Although Lupa’s technology incorporates automation and AI, the platform does not make treatment decisions. The final responsibility for care remains with the qualified veterinarian, ensuring that clinical expertise is central to patient outcomes.
Lupa has already onboarded multiple clinics and secured an exclusive partnership with Vetsure, the UK’s largest veterinary buying group, which has over 1,200 member clinics. This partnership provides Lupa with a strong foothold in the UK market and access to a wide network of veterinary practices.
Sam Endacott, Partner at firstminute capital, highlighted the importance of Lupa’s solution in addressing industry challenges. “Lupa’s vision of unifying veterinary workflows into a single, powerful platform addresses a critical industry need. With pet ownership at record highs and a growing vet shortage, the timing couldn't be better for a modern, AI-native solution. We're thrilled to be backing this exceptional team on their journey to transform veterinary care.”
The increased demand for veterinary services, spurred by a rise in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, has created significant challenges for practices struggling with capacity constraints and administrative workloads. Lupa’s platform aims to alleviate these pressures by providing tools that enable efficiency and scalability, ensuring that practices can meet the growing demand for their services.
With the support of its investors and a clear focus on innovation, Lupa is poised to expand its reach and further develop its platform, offering a much-needed solution to veterinary practices navigating a rapidly evolving industry.
