Revolution Ventures Invests in Oula, the Maternity Care Startup Combining the Best of Obstetrics and Midwifery
Oula will use the $28M Series B to open additional clinics and launch new services.
Meet Oula — the healthtech startup redesigning maternity care with a midwifery-first, team-based model that dramatically improves patient satisfaction while delivering better quality outcomes.
What They’re Solving For: Pregnancy outcomes in the U.S. have consistently deteriorated over the past two decades, with maternal mortality rates doubling and c-section rates at three times what the World Health Organization recommends. Moreover, the country’s current maternity care system is designed to serve high-risk pregnancies, even though most are low-risk. Studies show that this one-size-fits-all approach, combined with a shortage of OB/GYNs, results in more interventions, unsatisfactory experiences, poorer outcomes, and higher costs. At a time when women direct 80% of consumer healthcare decisions and often have their first concentrated interaction with the healthcare system during pregnancy, Oula is raising the bar for patients, caregivers, and health systems alike.
What They Do: Midwifery-led care is proven to lead to lower rates of preterm birth, 30–40% lower cesarean birth rates, and a 3x improvement in patient satisfaction. Oula provides comprehensive maternal care through a midwifery-first, team-based model — including preconception planning, early pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, and gynecological care — with a unique consumer-centric, tech-enabled approach that caters to modern preferences and builds efficiencies for care delivery. With its collaborative medical team, welcoming clinics, and remote care platform, Oula marries modern medicine with a personalized approach.
How They Do It: Oula’s offering centers on midwifery with support from OB/GYNs. The company’s model is powered by software that streamlines decision-making and communication and ensures patient needs are coordinated seamlessly with staff. Its tech-enabled offering is further augmented with virtual wrap-around services and group support. This approach allows providers to spend twice as much time with patients as obstetricians typically do. The result: less rushed, more differentiated holistic care. Oula accepts most major insurances, including Medicaid, allowing the company to serve a broad base of expecting individuals and families.
The Results To-Date: Across 1,500 births, Oula has delivered a 26% better c-section rate, a 61% lower preterm birth rate, and a 50% better low birth weight rate compared to NYC benchmarks, all while maintaining a net promoter score of 90+. A best-in-class experience paired with superior outcomes has generated a strong pipeline of new patients for Oula, with referrals streaming in from both patients and providers.
Why We Like It: Oula’s distinct combination of care, community, and technology has received a resounding response from patients who feel supported, informed, and empowered. Co-founders Adrianne Nickerson, Elaine Purcell, and Joanne Schneider also bring decades of healthcare experience to the table, with backgrounds that include leading roles at Privia Health, Robin Care, CareMore Health, and Kindbody.
Where They’re Headed: Oula will use new funds to expand its physical footprint and launch new services for those in their reproductive years. With plans to open new clinics in 2025, the company is poised to become the largest U.S. employer of midwives.
Revolution Ventures co-led the round with Maverick Ventures, one of the earliest backers of One Medical, with participation from GV and existing investors 8VC, Chelsea Clinton, Female Founders Fund, and more. We are thrilled to partner with Oula as it scales its care model and reimagines the way maternal healthcare is delivered. For more on Oula, visit oulahealth.com.
