Petcare platform Digitail plans to scale its operations after concluding an $11 million (R186 million) Series A funding round.
This round was led by Atomico, with participation from previous investors byFounders, Gradient, and Partech, according to the start-up.
Founded in 2021, Digitail automates the administrative tasks for veterinarians, from scheduling and record keeping, to inventory management, invoicing, and client communication.
Pet owners can also access medical summaries directly on the platform’s app and can communicate directly with their veterinarian.
With its origins in Romania, Digitail also has operations in the US and South Africa.
Joining the company’s celebration of the closure of the Series A funding round, Digitail SA’s executive director and country head, Jaqqui Posthumus, says the firm has rapidly become a leader in the South African veterinary industry.
“We are passionate about South African veterinarians – they are renowned for their expertise in a wide range of species and show remarkable resilience and dedication to their profession. I am honoured to play a role in supporting their efforts through the use of cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights.”
According to the statement, the South African division of Digitail has enjoyed tremendous success, working with over 80 clinics in the country and serving around 900 000 pets.
As a result, the company plans to use the funding to expand its team and scale its operations to serve more clinics and pets across the country.
The funding will also allow Digitail to expand its product depth and feature range, further deepening the collaborative nature of its all-in-one platform, it states.
With an increasing number of pet owners seeking veterinary care, Digitail states that veterinarians are struggling to keep up with demand. Many are still reliant on paper-based systems or outdated technology to manage their workflows, which leads to capacity constraints and staff burnout.
Along with the explosive growth in pet ownership comes increasing visits to the vet, for anything from regular checkups and advice to emergency procedures.
Digital transformation is yet to touch large parts of the veterinary industry.
Sebastian Gabor, co-founder and CEO of Digitail.
Veterinarians are currently treating more than 30 pets per day on average, which is contributing to capacity constraints and reports of increased burnout amongst staff.
Digitail CEO and co-founder Sebastian Gabor explains: “What is exacerbating this problem is that the majority of veterinarians are still reliant on paper or use old, legacy systems to manage their workflows, things like scheduling, inventory management, invoicing, and patient record data entry.
“Unlike the medical industry at large, digital transformation is yet to touch large parts of the veterinary industry.”
"We are thrilled to have the support of Atomico and our other investors as we work to bring digital transformation to the global veterinary industry," adds Gabor. "Our platform will enable veterinarians to spend more time providing high-quality care to pets and will give pet owners greater visibility and control over their pets' health."
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