London-based maternal health AI startup Matresa has raised £315,000 in a pre-seed round led by SFC Capital, marking a rare success for female-founded ventures in the UK.
The platform, set to launch this summer, aims to provide personalised, technology-driven support for women throughout pregnancy and postpartum, addressing a growing crisis in maternal health.
Addressing a Growing Maternal Health Crisis
Maternal care in the UK is under strain, with maternal deaths at their highest levels in more than two decades and one in five women experiencing serious complications after childbirth, according to Matresa.
The startup’s approach combines clinical expertise, behavioural science and AI to provide early screening, diagnostics and continuous personalised support for women during this critical period.
A Founder’s Vision: From PICU to Parenthood
Mari-Carmen Sanchez-Morris, a former nurse and founder of Matresa, drew on her experience in paediatric intensive care and her own journey through motherhood to create the platform.
“Poor maternal healthcare isn’t just happening in a vacuum: it affects other areas of healthcare, and stunts women’s career growth, which in turn impacts businesses and the wider economy,” she said. “Tailored care isn’t a privilege – it’s a right.”
A Rare Funding Win for Female Founders
From a funding perspective, this round is particularly notable.
Female founders received just 2.8% of venture funding in 2024–25, a statistic that underscores the structural barriers women-led startups face. Matresa’s ability to secure backing at this stage reflects growing investor interest in ventures that address societal challenges with technology, as well as confidence in Sanchez-Morris’s vision.
Edward Stevenson, Fund Principal at SFC Capital, emphasised the team and mission as key factors. “We made this investment given the talent and strength of Mari-Carmen and the growing problem that the company is solving. She has demonstrated tenacity and determination in all our interactions, suggesting she is fully committed to improving maternal health for women everywhere,” he said.
Scaling Support Across Healthcare and Workplaces
The funding will support Matresa in scaling its platform to reach women across the UK, offering structured guidance and monitoring during a period traditionally underserved.
Beyond healthcare, the platform also provides insights for employers, helping businesses retain female talent and navigate maternity leave more effectively – a pressing issue, with one in three mothers leaving the workforce within a year of childbirth.
AI-Driven Maternal Care as a Growth Opportunity
Matresa’s approach highlights a broader trend among investors seeking startups with a clear societal impact. By combining AI with clinical-grade preventative care, the platform is designed not only to improve maternal outcomes but also to deliver measurable value to healthcare systems, employers, and families alike.
With this backing, Matresa is well-positioned to turn early-stage investment into tangible, scalable solutions for the UK’s maternal health crisis. The platform’s launch this summer will test the effectiveness of AI-driven support in a sector that has traditionally lagged in technological innovation, offering a glimpse into how purpose-driven startups can make both social and financial impact.
Want to publicise your funding round? Submit your news to the team here.
