Houston-based startup Koda Health has decided to expand its operations to Richmond after completing Lighthouse Labs' accelerator program.
Koda Health is a digital health company founded on making the planning for future medical care easier for all patients. Desh Mohan, co-founder and chief medical officer, said the company works with health systems to help providers introduce the sometimes difficult conversations about the types of care patients may want or need.
"It's a stressful time for patients and family members, and even though there’s a lot of research showing that filling out these advanced directives are helpful, physicians are fundamentally lacking time or are uncomfortable guiding these conversations on their own," he said. "We realized they needed the tools to help them introduce the conversations to their patients well before they get sick."
Koda was co-founded in early 2020 by Mohan, Tatiana Fofanova and Katelin Cherry. Mohan said though they'd been working on the concept prior to the pandemic, the fast-spreading Covid-19 virus accelerated their progress.
"Things just worsened and it was already a problem, but after Covid hit it became top of mind for everyone," he said.
The startup's web-based, patient-facing application can be accessed from anywhere. It helps teach patients how to express their quality of life preferences in the event of an accident or illness. The app allows patients to determine who can speak for them, provides life support treatment education and indicates any important treatments.
Koda was accepted into Lighthouse Labs' 10th cohort, which wrapped up in early June. Mohan said it was during their time in the program that they decided to make Richmond a second headquarters.
"(Lighthouse Labs) was able to help us define our network here and introduce us to the important health care systems. When you’re selling to health care it’s helpful to have those warm introductions," he said. "So expanding here made sense for us."
The company got its start in Houston and is planning a state-by-state expansion moving forward. Currently, three private Houston clinics are using the platform, and Mohan is in touch with health care systems in the Richmond region.
"There are different state directives on these documents and forms, so we're expanding by a state-by-state basis to ensure we meet requirements from a legal standpoint," he said.
Prior to its participation in Lighthouse, Koda Health was part of a Houston-based incubator and a Techstars accelerator program. To-date, it's raised about $600,000 in pre-seed funding.