Preventive healthcare startup Cent has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Blume Ventures and South Park Commons. The company has also acquired Medsee, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered radiology platform, to strengthen its technology and improve its screening capabilities.
The funding round also saw participation from individual investors Arun Sarin, Srinivas Narayanan, Sharath Narayana, Aprameya Radhakrishna and Krishan Sridhar.
Founded by Shashank ND, who previously established healthcare platform Practo, Cent focuses on identifying potential health risks before they develop into serious medical conditions. It combines advanced medical imaging, biomarkers and AI to help detect diseases at an early stage.
Cent Uses Medical Imaging and AI for Early Disease Detection
Over the past year, approximately 10,000 people have undergone screening through Cent’s protocol. According to the company, one in four individuals screened had findings that required medical attention, while one in 40 needed an immediate consultation with a doctor.
Cent’s screening protocol brings together several diagnostic tests in a single session lasting around two hours. These include full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiograms (ECHO) and more than 100 biomarkers.
By combining these tests with AI-powered analysis, the company aims to identify potential health concerns before symptoms appear. Its approach is designed to make preventive screening more comprehensive than routine health check-ups that rely on a limited set of tests.
Cent operates its own screening centres in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. It also works with a network of partner diagnostic laboratories to provide its services.
Fresh Funding to Support Technology and Clinical Research
Cent plans to use the newly raised capital to invest in medical hardware, AI capabilities and clinical research. The company also intends to strengthen its technology infrastructure as it expands its preventive healthcare services.
The acquisition of Medsee is expected to support these plans by adding AI-powered radiology capabilities to Cent’s platform. The technology is intended to strengthen the radiology reporting process and help the company manage growing scan volumes.
Cent has set an ambitious long-term target of conducting 10 million scans by 2035. It also aims to help save one million lives through early disease detection.
Addressing India’s Preventive Healthcare Gap
Cent’s expansion comes at a time when India continues to face a significant burden of noncommunicable diseases, many of which are diagnosed only after they have progressed.
India has approximately 101 million people living with diabetes and another 136 million with prediabetes. An estimated 315 million people in the country also have hypertension.
These figures highlight the need for stronger preventive healthcare services and earlier identification of health risks. Cent is seeking to address this gap by combining medical imaging, biomarkers and AI-based analysis in a single screening process.
The company’s focus is on identifying potential health concerns early, allowing individuals to seek medical advice and further evaluation when needed.
Practo Founder Shashank ND Continues to Build in Healthcare
Shashank ND, who founded Practo before launching Cent, remains active in the healthcare sector. In September 2026, Practo elevated him to the positions of managing director and executive chairman, while Jagnoor Singh was appointed chief executive officer (CEO).
With its latest funding round and the acquisition of Medsee, Cent plans to expand its screening operations and invest further in technology-led preventive healthcare. Its long-term progress will depend on how effectively it scales its services while maintaining clinical quality and making early detection more accessible.
-By Shivani Solanki
