Today in Healthcare: Elton John Eyewear Debuts, Aktiia Snags $17.5M for Blood Pressure Monitor, Voice Tech Boosts Healthcare

Today in healthcare, GI Partners invests in Rectangle Health through recapitalization, and Walmart and Sam’s Club introduce the Elton John Eyewear collection. Plus, automated blood pressure monitor company Aktiia grabs $17.5 million for growth and expansion, and advancements in voice technology could improve overall patient care.

Blood Pressure Monitoring Firm Aktiia Nets $17.5M in Series A Funding

Swiss health-tech startup Aktiia has raised $17.5 million in Series A funding that it will use to hire more staff and expanding the blood pressure monitoring company across critical healthcare markets in Europe as well as securing FDA clearance to enable expansion to the U.S. market, per the report.

Aktiia’s wearable automated 24/7 blood pressure monitoring device, which debuted this spring, is available in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy.

GI Partners Bets on Healthcare FinTech Rectangle

Healthcare FinTech Rectangle Health has received a recapitalization from healthcare tech private investment company GI Partners. That money, combined with additional support from existing investor TA Associates, will help accelerate Rectangle’s growth.

GI Partners’ investment will help Rectangle focus on both organic growth and mergers and acquisitions, said CEO Dominick Colabella.

Healthcare’s Use of Voice Tech Seen as ‘Game Changer’ for Diagnostics, Patient Experience

PYMNTS’ recent study with Rectangle Health, Connected Healthcare: What Consumers Want From Their Healthcare Customer Experiences, shows “a significant correlation between consumers’ access to digital, time-saving tools and their loyalty to healthcare providers.”

Those digital tools “will remain a key determinant of a positive patient experience for many key demographics,” our research shows, noting artificial intelligence-powered voice recognition could boost telehealth and the role of smartphones in patient care.

Sam’s Club, Walmart Launching Elton John Eyewear Collection

Walmart and Sam’s Club will debut the Elton John Eyewear line of glasses this week, including 60 Foundation Collection offerings: 36 frames unique to Sam’s Club and 24 frames sold only at Walmart.

Sam’s Club will also sell two collections that reflect John’s penchant for self-expression throughout his entertainment career: The Capsule Collection showcases Elton John’s musical journey and The Master Collection, which recreates and reissues his iconic looks and are signed and numbered.