Develo raises $14M to replace outdated pediatric EMRs with AI-native operating system

Pediatricians still rely on software built decades ago for a healthcare system that has changed dramatically. Many clinics juggle separate tools for patient records, billing, intake forms, scheduling, and family communication, creating a workflow that feels stuck in another era. Los Angeles-based Develo thinks AI can fix that problem from the ground up, and investors are betting big on the idea.

The startup announced Tuesday that it raised $14 million in funding led by Blueprint Equity, with participation from Villain Capital, Z21 Ventures, and Bienville Capital. The round included angel investors with deep ties to healthcare technology, including CentralReach CEO Chris Sullens, Community CareLink executive chair and former Cerner executive Chris Barton, and former Allscripts CEO Paul Black.

Founded in 2022 by Aaron Sin, MD, and CTO Han Ke, Develo is building what it calls the first AI-native operating system focused entirely on pediatrics. The company combines electronic medical records, billing, and family engagement tools into a single platform to reduce administrative headaches in pediatric practices.

That focus matters in a market that still runs heavily on legacy healthcare software. Pediatric care touches more than one-third of Americans and accounts for over 450 million visits every year. Many clinics still rely on disconnected systems that force doctors and staff to spend hours clicking through forms, managing billing tools, and switching between interfaces.

“Pediatric practices run on a patchwork set of tools: a traditional clinical EMR, a standalone intake solution, and an outdated billing system, all with click-heavy, fragmented interfaces driving significant pediatrician dissatisfaction and administrative burden. Practices risk further falling behind as AI innovation accelerates, especially if they look to AI bolt-ons from legacy systems to keep up,” said Dr. Aaron Sin, Develo CEO and co-founder.

Develo (Credit: Develo)

Sin said Develo built its platform specifically for pediatric care rather than adapting software originally designed for adult medicine.

Healthcare software has become one of the more active areas for AI startups over the past two years, especially as hospitals and clinics look for ways to reduce burnout and administrative costs. Much of the recent activity has centered on AI scribes and workflow automation tools layered onto existing systems. Develo is taking a different route by rebuilding the operating layer itself.

“Develo’s pediatric operating system is a game-changer. It is the first and only AI-native operating system purpose-built for pediatrics to drive impact far beyond what traditional electronic medical record (EMR) systems deliver,” said Sheldon Lewis, founding managing partner at Blueprint Equity.

Former Allscripts CEO Paul Black said AI sits at the center of the platform’s architecture.

“AI is foundational to Develo’s pediatrics operating system, with an embedded AI scribe, automated pediatric charge capture, seamless chart and practice reporting intelligence, and more. Develo’s AI-first approach unifies clinical, billing and family engagement workflows to improve operations, increase revenue, and reinvent the care experience for both patients and parents,” Black said.

Develo says its software is already used by hundreds of pediatric providers across more than two dozen states. The company plans to use the new funding to expand research and development and grow its customer success operations as it pushes deeper into the pediatric healthcare market.

Develo (Credit:Develo)