The strategic investment values Spryt at $12.5m, co-founder Neill Dunwoody told SiliconRepublic.com.
MediDrive, a US healthcare transport and logistics company has made a strategic investment into Monaghan health-tech Spryt – the company behind Asa, an AI receptionist platform.
The investment values Spryt at $12.5m, Neill Dunwoody, the company’s co-founder and chief operations officer (COO) told SiliconRepublic.com. The terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Asa is built to address healthcare appointment challenges and engagement issue. Users can book, amend and pay for appointments via third-party messaging apps such as SMS, WhatsApp and Messenger, while professionals can better predict potential no-shows and reduce instances of time wastage, Dunwoody said.
“It’s a $1trn problem…in the US alone, they [healthcare providers] lose $150bn a year on no shows.”
“We use behavioural science, psychology and linguistics to change the outcome – so to make sure the person who books and schedules the appointment cancels ahead of time so we can refill that slot,” he explained.
By using third-party apps, Spryt removes barriers that require patients to download an app or set up a profile via a system or a website, the COO added.
From left: Neill Dunwoody and Daragh Donohoe.
MediDrive specialises in non-emergency medical transportation. Through the new partnership, the US company’s transport management system will be directly integrated with Asa, giving patients the ability to schedule and manage transportation – whether by car, shuttle or non-emergency medical vehicles – at the same time they book their appointment.
For health systems, the combined solution will drive measurable improvements with fewer missed appointments, streamlined operations and stronger engagement across diverse patient populations, the two companies said in a joint statement.
Dunwoody explained that a large percentage of appointment no-shows aren’t because patients don’t want to show up. Patients are unable to reach healthcare facilities to cancel, while many are also unable to access transportation to make it to their appointments.
Through the partnership, Spryt can offer patients medical transportation through the likes of Uber, Lyft or other taxi services. Dunwoody said that a number of US insurers cover these costs.
“Spryt has built one of the most compelling AI platforms in healthcare, redefining how patients connect with care,” said Alan J Murray, the president and CEO of MediDrive.
“Integrating our nationwide transport network with their AI engine creates a powerful opportunity to improve access to care at scale. Together, we can eliminate one of the biggest barriers in healthcare – getting patients to the appointments they’ve already said yes to.”
Currently, Spryt does not offer its services in Ireland. The company works with the UK’s NHS, where Asa has improved attendance by more than 160pc, it says. Spryt is also deploying its tech across US health systems, with pilot programmes underway in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and multiple European markets.
The company was co-founded by Dunwoody, alongside Paul Lyes, Shaun Dodimead, Nik Kairinos and Daragh Donohoe.
“MediDrive brings unmatched expertise in healthcare logistics and national-scale transportation,” Dunwoody said. “By combining our AI-powered engagement with MediDrive’s transport capabilities, we’re closing the gap between intention and attendance. This partnership completes the last mile of patient access.”
Spryt won the overall National Enterprise Award 2025 in Ireland, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Europe Startup Pitchfest in 2024 and the UK MedTech Startup of the Year award last year.
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