Helium Health secures $2.5 million Google grant to tackle maternal deaths with AI
Helium Health has received $2.5 million grant from Google.org to deploy AI tools that help identify pregnancy risks and improve maternal healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Nigerian healthtech startup Helium Health has received a ₦3.4 billion ($2.5 million) grant from Google.org to deploy AI tools aimed at identifying pregnancy risks and enhancing maternal healthcare in Nigeria. The funding will be used to expand the company's maternal health initiative, HeliumMum, which targets 1.9 million pregnant women over three years, starting in Lagos before spreading to Delta, Kano, and Oyo states.
Nigeria accounts for nearly 10% of global maternal deaths, and Helium Health hopes its AI-driven intervention will help address this issue by detecting complications earlier and connecting women to appropriate care, with the goal of reducing maternal mortality by 30%. Helium Health CEO Dimeji Sofowora expressed gratitude for Google.org's support, noting the company's progress in reaching over 3.5 million women through its maternal health initiatives.
The grant follows a leadership change, with co-founder and CEO Adegoke Olubusi stepping down after a decade, handing the reins to Sofowora. The funding also comes as the Nigerian healthtech sector faces a challenging fundraising environment, with investment falling to $3 million in 2025.
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