The company plans to invest US$8 million in South-east Asia in the next two to three years
[SINGAPORE] Healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) company Heidi on Thursday (Nov 20) announced the launch of its South-east Asia headquarters in Singapore, with plans to invest US$8 million in the next two to three years.
The money will be used to build local teams across sales, implementation and clinical partnerships, with an estimated hiring target of 10 to 12 roles in this period.
Heidi’s entry comes as Singapore faces pressure on its healthcare system, driven by an ageing population and a shortage of clinicians. By 2030, a quarter of Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older – up from one in 10 in 2010.
A SingHealth-funded study published in January described AI and other digital technologies as “pivotal” in addressing the Republic’s ageing population.
Such technology has the potential to drive a “paradigm shift” in healthcare by “improving medical care, addressing social isolation, enhancing mental wellness for seniors and augmenting the healthcare workforce”, said the paper.
In 2024, the government also said that about 6,000 nurses and care staff will need to be hired annually to meet the demand for healthcare services and manpower.
Heidi, which recently raised US$65 million in a Series B funding round led by Point72 Private Investments, aims to automate clinical documentation with its AI platform. This will help increase the effective capacity of clinicians, “allowing them to dedicate more time to patient care”.
The platform, which transcribes doctor-patient conversations into structured clinical notes, has already supported nearly 55,000 consultations in Singapore, said Heidi.
Globally, the company says its tools save users 17.6 hours every week, across more than two million consults.
Heidi’s Singapore launch builds on its recent expansion into Hong Kong. The company said its AI tools currently process more than two million patient consultations weekly, across 110 languages in 116 countries.
Its latest funding round means it has raised a total capital of US$96.6 million, supported by investors like Blackbird Ventures, Headline and LocalGlobe.
“For Heidi, Singapore represents more than a market entry, it’s a launchpad for the next phase of healthcare innovation and growth across South-east Asia,” said Heidi CEO and co-founder Dr Thomas Kelly.
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