HealthEngine, an Australia-based online healthcare marketplace backed by telecommunications firm Telstra and media group Seven West Media, received A$26.7m ($20.2m) in series C funding on Monday.
The round was led by Sequoia India, marking the first time the ventue capital firm has made a direct investment in an Australia-based technology startup. Sequoia India will appoint a member to HealthEngine’s board.
Private equity fund Alium Capital and investment fund Go Capital also contributed to the round, as did individual investors including Greg Roebuck, the founder of automotive marketplace Carsales.
HealthEngine has created a platform that patients can use to directly book appointments with local doctors. The company claims to attract a million users per month who can connect to tens of thousands of health practitioners.
The series C capital will support an expansion into other markets as well as product development, acquisitions and the hiring of more staff. Greg Roebuck previously supplied an undisclosed amount of funding to HealthEngine in 2015.
Telstra Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of Telstra, and Seven West Media co-led HealthEngine’s $9.6m series A round in 2013, with each providing half the amount.
Marcus Tan, founder, chief executive and medical director of HealthEngine, said: “Our goal is to improve the health of all Australians by providing a platform that enables both timely access to quality care and a seamless patient experience.
“When we created HealthEngine, we wanted to break down the frustrations felt from both patients and practitioners trying to navigate the complex health system.”