Startup blends a novel employee ownership model with easy-to-use technology to help physicians spend less time on admin and more time on patient care.

Meroka today announced its public launch and a $6 million seed funding round led by Better Tomorrow Ventures & Slow Ventures with participation from 8VC and other investors. Meroka’s dual approach combines employee ownership with powerful, easy-to-use technology that reduces the administrative burden of running a practice and helps bring joy and fulfillment back to patient care.

Meroka’s mission is to restore humanity in healthcare by helping independent care teams focus on what they do best: caring for patients. Its all-in-one platform supports practice operations, including billing, staffing, compliance, data, and recruiting. Its unique employee ownership model gives every team member a real stake in the practice’s success and ensures that those delivering care share in the value they help create.

"Independent doctors are some of the most entrepreneurial and mission-driven professionals out there," said Alex Barrett, CEO of Meroka. "But too often, they are forced to spend more time managing vendors and paperwork than leading their teams and caring for patients. We built Meroka to give them the support and ownership structure they deserve, so they can keep building the kind of care they believe in and keep their practices in the hands of their teams and communities."

In the last decade, physician rollups have become a common path for investors and health systems looking to expand market share and drive margin through scale. Private equity firms have acquired more than 5,000 physician practices since 2012, according to research from Dr. Zirui Song, M.D, Ph.D. Yet these rollups often prioritize near-term financial returns over concerns about provider burnout, reduced autonomy, and deteriorating patient trust. Meanwhile, data from the American Medical Association shows that the number of U.S. physicians working in independently owned practices has fallen to 42%.

Meroka helps independent practices transition to employee ownership by creating structures where everyone, from physicians to front desk staff, can earn a meaningful stake in the business over time. Ownership is based on tenure and contribution, giving team members a real voice in the future of the practice. This approach strengthens engagement, supports long-term retention, and keeps the practice in the hands of the people and communities it serves.

"We believe that the people who show up for patients every day should share in the value they help create, and employee ownership plays a critical role in making that happen," said Barrett. "When you give care teams true ownership, the dynamic shifts. You see greater engagement, stronger motivation, and more sustainable practices."

“I was immediately drawn to Meroka's mission. They’re fighting the corporate consolidation of healthcare and giving physicians the tools to stay independent,” said Jake Gibson, co-founder of NerdWallet and founding partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures. “Healthcare today feels like a David-versus-Goliath story, and Meroka’s best-in-class technology and new employee ownership model are setting David up to win.”

Meroka has already partnered with high-profile early adopters including Dr. Maria Sophocles, a nationally recognized OB/GYN, TED speaker, and author of The Bedroom Gap, who recently selected Meroka to support her thriving women’s health practice. Dr. Sophocles noted, “I love my patients and my practice, but I also wanted freedom in my life. Partnering with Meroka gave me both: the joy of practicing medicine on my terms and the time to focus on what matters most.”

“We’re not trying to ‘save’ independent medicine,” said Barrett. “We’re trying to unlock its full potential—by giving great physicians the power and platform to continue practicing, building, and owning their futures.”

About Meroka

Meroka’s mission is to restore humanity in healthcare. The company equips independent physician practices with the technology, tools, and support they need to thrive. Its platform integrates billing, operations, and strategic services with a pioneering model of employee ownership, helping care teams grow stronger and keeping practices in the hands of the communities they serve. Meroka currently supports OB/GYN, primary care, and pediatrics practices. Visit https://www.meroka.com/ to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250903351274/en/