Millions of people across Southern Africa are being priced out of dental care, and one Cape Town startup is determined to change that.
- Millions of people across Southern Africa are being priced out of dental care, and one Cape Town startup is determined...
- Mia Healthcare Technologies, founded in 2021 by Dr.
- Expanding access to dental care The Cape Town-based company is building a network of mobile and fixed dental clinics aimed at...
- Investors back growth plans Sally Kitley, Associate Principal at Edge Growth, backed the company with firm confidence.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on clear aligners — everything you need to know is covered below.
Mia Healthcare Technologies, founded in 2021 by Dr. Zane Stennings and Dr. Karishma Soni, has raised R15 million (approximately $910,000) in growth funding from the Vumela Fund, managed by Edge Growth.
The investment will support the company’s next stage of growth, including expanding its footprint and increasing access to its locally manufactured clear aligners.
Expanding access to dental care
The Cape Town-based company is building a network of mobile and fixed dental clinics aimed at reaching communities that often struggle to access oral healthcare.
Mobile clinics operate in schools, workplaces, and underserved communities, bringing expert dental care directly to patients. This model allows Mia Healthcare to meet patients where they are, removing the travel and cost barriers that keep many South Africans away from dental care entirely.
Mia Healthcare also aims to compete in a market historically dominated by global players by offering high-quality, locally produced clear aligners at a more accessible price point.
Investors back growth plans
Sally Kitley, Associate Principal at Edge Growth, backed the company with firm confidence. “Mia Healthcare is an exciting business with a relevant and novel service offering. They have an impressive management team with deep industry knowledge and an innovative approach to dentistry that is supported by a stable and robust market,” says Kitley. “The team showed exceptional dedication and were professional to work with, showing resilience and rigour throughout the investment process. We are confident that they will lead a successful business.”
The founders equally welcomed the partnership. “Edge Growth and FNB’s Vumela Fund investment in Mia comes at an exciting stage in our journey. This funding not only reflects confidence in Mia and enables our next phase of growth but also underscores that the dental market is one worth watching. In an environment where growth capital is not easy to secure, we are deeply grateful for Edge’s belief in our vision and for the trust they have placed in us.”
The Vumela Fund investment is expected to unlock the next phase of growth, enabling the company to deepen its national footprint, expand its manufacturing capabilities, and continue improving access to affordable, high-quality dental care across Southern Africa.