Daymark Health, a new player in the healthcare startup space, has officially launched with a mission to transform the way cancer care is delivered across the U.S. Backed by $11.5 million in seed funding, the Philadelphia-based company is aiming to redesign oncology care by prioritizing patients’ needs beyond the clinic walls.
This funding round was co-led by top healthcare investors Maverick Ventures and Yosemite, with Oncology Ventures also joining the round. The fresh capital will fuel the company’s platform development, team expansion, and nationwide partnerships with insurers.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Cancer Care
At the heart of Daymark’s vision is a simple yet powerful idea: cancer patients deserve more comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate care. Each year, nearly two million Americans receive a cancer diagnosis. Yet, most of their care journey—over 8,500 hours—is spent managing symptoms and questions alone, outside their doctor’s office.
Recognizing this gap, Daymark Health has built an evidence-based care model that integrates physical, mental, and social health support. Through collaborations with health plans, the company takes on full risk-based contracts to manage the total cost of care. This model allows Daymark’s team—which includes nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and care navigators—to work closely with each patient’s existing oncology and primary care teams, offering a seamless care experience at home and virtually.
Leadership Backed by Experience and Vision
Daymark is led by CEO and co-founder Dr. Justin Bekelman, a well-known oncologist and former head of Penn Medicine’s Center for Cancer Care Innovation. Under his leadership, Daymark is already working with a major insurer in the Northeast to serve over 2,500 cancer patients in its first year of operations.
“Our healthcare system is still too fragmented when it comes to cancer care,” Dr. Bekelman said. “We’re building a model that closes these gaps, empowering patients with the continuous support they need and setting a new benchmark for what cancer care should look like.”
The startup also boasts a high-caliber team of healthcare veterans. Roy Beveridge, the former Chief Medical Officer at Humana and U.S. Oncology, is serving as Executive Board Chair. Renowned bioethicist and Affordable Care Act architect Ezekiel Emanuel has joined as Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board. Daymark was incubated by Healthcare Foundry, with co-founders Robert Pahlavan and Jonathan Rhodes continuing in key leadership roles.
Investors Bet on a New Model for Oncology Care
Industry investors are betting big on Daymark’s platform as a model for the future. Maverick Ventures Managing Director Ambar Bhattacharyya called the startup “the next evolution in specialty value-based care,” noting its focus on the unique needs of oncology patients.
“There’s an urgent need to reform how we deliver cancer care,” added Matt Bettonville, investor at Yosemite. “Daymark’s platform offers the right alignment between patients, providers, and payers for better outcomes and a more humane experience.”
With this new infusion of funding, Daymark Health is preparing to scale its services nationwide and deepen its collaborations with major health plans, aiming to reach thousands more patients across the country.
