Meroka has officially launched and raised $6 million in seed funding, led by Better Tomorrow Ventures and Slow Ventures, with additional contributions from 8VC and other investors. The company blends an employee ownership model with an intuitive technology platform designed to reduce the administrative burden of running medical practices and help healthcare providers reconnect with the joy of patient care. Meroka aims to refocus attention on what truly matters by providing independent care teams with tools to streamline billing, staffing, compliance, data management, and recruitment. Their innovative approach ensures that every staff member has an ownership stake, allowing those who deliver care to share in the practice’s success.
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Alex Barrett, Meroka’s CEO, highlighted the challenges faced by independent doctors. He stated, “Independent physicians are among the most driven and mission-focused professionals, yet they often find themselves overwhelmed by managing vendors and paperwork instead of leading their teams or caring for patients. Meroka was built to provide the support and ownership structure these professionals deserve, enabling them to build the kind of care they believe in and keep their practices within their communities.”
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Over the past decade, private equity-backed physician consolidations have surged, with more than 5,000 practices acquired since 2012. This trend has prioritized financial returns at the expense of physician autonomy and patient trust. According to the American Medical Association, independent practices now represent just 42% of U.S. physicians. Meroka offers an alternative by helping practices transition to employee ownership. This model rewards team members based on their tenure and contributions, giving them a meaningful voice in the practice’s future. This approach fosters stronger engagement, better retention, and keeps practices rooted in the communities they serve.
Barrett explained, “We believe those who show up for patients every day should share in the value they create. Employee ownership shifts the dynamics, leading to greater motivation, deeper engagement, and more sustainable medical practices.” Jake Gibson, co-founder of NerdWallet and founding partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures, echoed this sentiment: “Meroka is addressing the corporate takeover of healthcare by empowering physicians to remain independent with technology and ownership models that give them the power to win.”
Meroka has already attracted high-profile users, including Dr. Maria Sophocles, an OB/GYN, TED speaker, and author, who recently chose Meroka for her busy women’s health practice. Dr. Sophocles shared, “I love my patients and my practice, but I also wanted freedom in my life. Partnering with Meroka gave me both—the joy of practicing medicine on my terms and the time to focus on what matters most.” Barrett concluded, “We’re not trying to save independent medicine, but rather unlock its full potential by providing great physicians with the power and platform to continue practicing, growing, and owning their futures.”
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