Decently raises £500k to combat brain injuries with AI

Manchester-based startup Decently has secured £500,000 for its brain injury prediction AI software for clinicians.

Launched in 2021 by James Burch and James Chapman, Decently’s Melo tool uses AI to support healthcare professionals with the process of gathering and recording information from patients with brain injuries.

“Acquired brain injury is not a new problem, but the statistics show it is a growing issue, which is causing a strain on both the public and private health sectors,” said Burch.

“With Melo, our focus is to provide a duty of care to staff who are responsible for looking after ABI patients who may, due to brain injury, express challenging behaviour.”

Praetura Ventures led the investment through its GMC Life Sciences Fund. SFC Capital also participated in the round.

Decently is currently being trial at three NHS Trusts and with the raise, plans to add more.

Dr Alistair Teager, consultant clinical neuropsychologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “We’ve been working with the team from Decently to pilot Melo on our wards to ensure that it’s designed and built in the right way and ultimately helps us to make better clinical decisions for our patients.”

The GMC Life Sciences Fund was set up by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Cheshire and Warrington LEP as well as Bruntwood SciTech last year.