Galway health tech group targets 40 US clinic partners and adds 130 jobs as it develops patient led infusion devices.
Luminate, a Galway-based healthcare technology company that enables cancer therapies at home, has raised $21 million in an expanded Series A round.
The funding lifts total capital to more than $50 million and supports a plan to bring home infusion services to patients and oncology providers across the United States.
“Cancer doesn’t need to mean life-changing financial, time, or physical burdens on patients”
The round was co-led by Lachy Groom and ARTIS Ventures, with participation from Western Alliance Life Sciences, 8VC, Y Combinator, Atlantic Bridge, Faber, SciFounders, Elkstone and others.
Luminate is preparing to launch access to home cancer care at 40 partner oncology clinics and is recruiting for 130 new roles over the next three years in Ireland and the United States.
Better patient outcomes
Members of the Luminate team at the Galway office. Photo: Michael Dillon
Luminate partners with oncologists and health insurers to move cancer drug infusions from hospital clinics to the home. The company says this approach helps patients spend more time away from hospital, reduces transport costs, eases childcare pressure and lowers the need to take sick leave or vacation days.
The care model focuses on patients who are clinically assessed as low risk, with prescribing and dispensing carried out by the patient’s own oncology team through Luminate’s Lotus programme.
Aaron Hannon, chief executive and co-founder, said the new capital supports growing demand from providers and managed care partners.
“Cancer doesn’t need to mean life-changing financial, time, or physical burdens on patients. Luminate’s care model and technology can help providers stay in control of the patient’s treatment while scaling their impact to meet the growing future demand for cancer care. Importantly, we’re doing that while reducing the cost of care to the healthcare system, but most significantly, to the patient,” he said.
“This fresh injection of funding helps us to capitalide on a growing demand from providers and managed care partners to work with us in delivering better outcomes for patients.”
Nurse-led home treatments
The company is rolling out nurse-led home treatments across the US and is advancing toward regulatory approval for auto-injector and monitoring devices designed to enable patient-led self administration.
Clinical studies for the Lotus auto-injector and remote monitoring technologies are expected to begin in the first half of 2026. Luminate aims to introduce these devices in mid 2026, subject to regulatory progress.
Austin Walne, senior partner at ARTIS Ventures, said Luminate’s model offers a pathway to improve access and lower costs for cancer care. “Luminate’s novel care delivery model, combined with their suite of devices, is an opportunity to both expand access and lower the cost of receiving cancer care for the over 2 million patients diagnosed each year. We’re excited to support the Luminate team in executing on this mission,” he said.
The company’s device portfolio also includes Lilac and Lily, which target common side effects of cancer drugs. Lilac is designed to reduce the severity of peripheral neuropathy in patients undergoing treatment. Lily aims to reduce hair loss. Both devices are in clinical trials in the US and Europe, with market launch expected in 2027. Luminate says recruitment for the Lilac trial at St James’ Hospital in Dublin is due to begin in the coming weeks.
Luminate was founded in 2018 by Hannon, Dr Barbara Oliveira and Professor Martin O’Halloran, who were medical device researchers at the University of Galway. The team has grown to more than 60 employees across Ireland and the US. The group is hiring in software development, electronics, clinical research, mechanical design and manufacturing in Galway, and is recruiting oncology nurses, pharmacists and healthcare administrators for its remote US workforce.
The company’s Lotus programme aims to maintain a direct link between patients and their oncologists. All drugs delivered through the programme are prescribed and dispensed by the patient’s clinician. Luminate says the model supports providers facing rising demand for clinic space, with home-based infusions creating capacity for hospital departments.
Headquartered in Galway and with offices in Chicago, San Antonio and Omaha, Luminate is building a suite of services and technologies for home-based cancer care. The company’s stated vision is “to help people live through and after cancer, not just survive.”
Investors backing the company include Artis Ventures, Metaplanet, Lachy Groom, 8VC, Bridge Bank, Atlantic Bridge, SciFounders, Faber, Y Combinator, Elkstone, Gaingels, Pareto and Lynett Capital.
Business lessons:
- Solve Real Pain Points
Luminate’s success stems from addressing a clear patient and provider challenge: reducing hospital visits and improving quality of life during cancer treatment. Businesses that focus on tangible, high-impact problems create strong demand and defensible value.
- Align Innovation With Regulatory Pathways
The company is innovating in a highly regulated space but is sequencing its rollout carefully; starting with nurse-led home care before introducing patient-led devices. This shows the importance of aligning product development with compliance milestones to build trust and scale responsibly.
- Build Strategic Partnerships Early
Luminate partners with oncologists, insurers, and US health systems to integrate its model into existing care structures. Strategic alliances accelerate adoption and reduce friction for new entrants in complex markets.
- Diversify Investor Base for Growth
The funding round includes a mix of global venture firms and sector specialists. A diversified investor base provides not only capital but also networks and expertise, which is critical for scaling internationally.
- Recruit Ahead of Demand
By announcing 130 new roles across technical and clinical functions, Luminate signals confidence and readiness to meet future demand. Proactive talent acquisition ensures operational capacity aligns with growth ambitions.
Top image: Luminate co-founders Dr Barbara Oliveira and Aaron Hannon. Photo: Michael Dillon
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