YAKUB ABDULRASHEED – UAE-based healthtech startup Nabta Health has secured a fresh investment from Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP), which led the second closing of its ongoing $3 million pre-Series A funding round.
The company prepares to accelerate commercial expansion and deepen partnerships across the healthcare sector.
Founded in 2017 by Sophie Smith, Nabta is developing AI-powered preventive healthcare solutions focused on early disease detection, digital health services and clinical care, particularly in women’s health.
The latest investment, which includes both primary and secondary capital, comes as the company shifts from years of technology development and research towards customer acquisition, commercialisation and scalable growth.
What is Nabta Health and What Does It Do?
Nabta Health is a healthcare technology company that combines artificial intelligence, preventive screening and clinical services to help people identifyl potential health problems earlier and navigate the healthcare system more effectively.
Founded in 2017, the company initially operated as a direct-to-consumer women’s health platform before evolving into a broader preventive healthcare business serving employers, insurers and healthcare providers.
Its platform combines early disease detection, personalised care pathways and digital health services with clinical infrastructure to connect patients with appropriate healthcare support.
The company’s AI-supported care navigation tool, Aya, is designed to help patients understand and access relevant healthcare services, while its screening and clinical offerings aim to facilitate earlier intervention and more coordinated care.
Nabta’s broader strategy is to make preventive healthcare more accessible while helping organisations manage the health needs of their employees and members.
Its clinics and expertise in women’s health remain important components of the business as it expands its technology-enabled healthcare services.
The Second Closing of $3 Million Funding Round
Phoenix Venture Partners, a venture capital fund manager based in Abu Dhabi Global Market and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, has led the latest closing of Nabta Health’s ongoing $3 million pre-Series A financing.
The investment includes a combination of primary and secondary capital, although the amount contributed in this closing was not disclosed. The funding round has attracted institutional investors, venture capital firms, family offices and high-net-worth investors.
Nabta previously raised $2 million in pre-Series A funding in November 2025, bringing its total funding to $4.5 million, according to the information provided.
The latest investment marks a continuation of PVP’s longstanding relationship with Nabta, having supported the company since its early days. The fresh capital and investor backing are expected to help the startup strengthen its commercial operations and pursue its next stage of growth.
However, the announcement does not specify how much of the latest investment will go directly into Nabta’s operations, as primary capital is invested in the company while secondary capital is used to purchase shares from existing shareholders.
Shifting Focus From Research to Commercial Expansion
After years of investing in technology, clinical infrastructure and research and development, Nabta Health is entering a phase increasingly focused on attracting customers and expanding its commercial reach.
The company plans to use the investment to accelerate its go-to-market strategy, strengthen its enterprise offering and establish new commercial relationships across the healthcare ecosystem.
Its immediate priorities include customer acquisition, strategic partnerships and expanding access to its preventive healthcare services.
Steve Khayat, founder and CEO of Phoenix Venture Partners, said Nabta had completed much of the groundwork needed to move into a more commercially focused phase.
“NABTA has done the hard work of building its technology, clinical infrastructure and model, and is already demonstrating strong commercial traction,” Khayat said.
He added that the company was reaching a point where “the focus can shift decisively toward go-to-market and sales acceleration.”
Khayat said PVP would work alongside Nabta’s leadership to deepen strategic partnerships, accelerate customer acquisition and translate its existing commercial traction into scalable growth.
The shift reflects a broader startup growth process in which businesses move beyond developing their products and begin concentrating on securing paying customers, generating revenue and expanding their market presence.
Targeting Employers, Insurers and Healthcare Providers
Nabta Health’s evolving business model increasingly positions employers, insurance companies and healthcare providers as central customers and partners.
Through its preventive healthcare platform, the company aims to help employers improve access to healthcare services for their workers, while insurers could use its screening and care navigation capabilities to support earlier intervention and more coordinated treatment.
Healthcare providers, meanwhile, can form part of the network through which patients access clinical services and follow-up care.
The approach is designed to connect patients, healthcare professionals and organisations responsible for financing or providing medical services, potentially making preventive care easier to access and manage.
For employers and insurers, earlier detection and coordinated care may also help address long-term healthcare expenses and improve population health management.
However, the actual financial and clinical benefits will depend on the effectiveness of Nabta’s services and the outcomes achieved through its partnerships.
The company has not disclosed specific new contracts, customer numbers or revenue targets in connection with the latest investment.
PVP Strengthens and Preparation for Its Next Growth Stage
The investment also comes with a change in Nabta Health’s board representation, reflecting the company’s transition towards commercialisation and expansion.
Dr. Mussaad Al-Razouki, co-founder and non-executive director of PVP, who supported Nabta as a founding investor and former executive chairman, will leave his position on Nabta’s board. Steve Khayat will join the board as PVP’s representative.
The change is expected to bring greater focus to commercial partnerships, customer acquisition and business expansion as Nabta prepares to scale its operations.
Nabta founder and CEO, Sophie Smith, welcomed the investment and Khayat’s appointment, describing the development as an important stage in the company’s journey.
“We are delighted to welcome PVP as a shareholder and Steve to our Board at an important stage in NABTA’s journey,” Smith said.
She added that PVP’s regional relationships and hands-on support could help the company “accelerate our next phase of commercial growth and deepen our partnerships with employers, insurers and healthcare providers.”
With fresh investor backing and a growing focus on enterprise healthcare services, Nabta Health is seeking to turn its AI-powered preventive care platform into a larger commercial business while expanding its role in connecting patients with earlier, more coordinated healthcare.
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