Whole-of-body MRI scan startup co-founded by Go1 entrepreneurs raises $2.5m

A Brisbane-based startup linked to the co-founders of edtech unicorn Go1, one of whom is a doctor, is pioneering a new form of preventative health around the country and eventually the globe with a whole-of-body MRI scan solution designed for the early detection of more than 500 conditions.

Co-founded in October last year by Go1 co-founders Dr Vu Tran and Andrew Barnes alongside entrepreneur and electrical engineer Gopi Sara, OneMRI has raised $2.5 million in seed capital to accelerate its expansion, with a presence already in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne.

The heavily oversubscribed round attracted investment from OIF Ventures, TEN13, Antler, Salus Ventures, AfterWork Ventures, Archangel Ventures, Black Sheep Capital, Prtnr, Larsen Ventures, Tribe Global Ventures, and a select group of clinicians and radiologists. 

Catering to rising demand from the "health curious", OneMRI looks for signs of conditions such as cancers, metabolic disorders such as fatty liver, benign growths, autoimmune conditions such as MS, spinal degeneration, and brain aneurysms.

Its clinically-led approach is supported by years of R&D and is continually refined by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)-accredited medical professionals.

"OneMRI’s process is genuinely customer-centric, with a rigorous eligibility and informed consent framework. We have a duty of care to every individual, which is why thoughtful screening is at the core of our approach," says OneMRI co-founder and CEO Gopi Sara.

"Every appointment includes both a pre- and post-scan consultation with qualified clinicians and dedicated care coordinators - ensuring patients fully understand the process, their results and what potential next steps might look like."

OneMRI is actively expanding its nationwide partnership network, working with radiology clinics such as Scan Medical and Pinnacle Medical Imaging, healthcare professionals and wellness brands like The Banyans, Evergreen Doctors, Melbourne Functional Medicine and Longev, that align with its proactive care model.

The company notes more than 100 MRI machines across Australia operate at just 30 per cent capacity. By partnering with underutilised clinics, OneMRI delivers its service without placing additional strain on Australia’s healthcare resources. 

OneMRI's co-founder and head of medical Dr Vu Tran says wellness and preventive health are only going to grow as sectors, and technology will play a critical role in that evolution.

"Right now, radiology is one of the most underutilised tools in preventive care," says Tran, who left day-to-day operations of Go1 in May last year and also went on to join defence tech company Black Sky Industries as a co-founder.

"The ‘health curious’ increasingly want autonomy, access, and answers. Individuals should have the agency to take a proactive approach to their health, and whole-body MRI scans are one of the safest ways to do that - offering a multi-system snapshot in a single, radiation-free investigation.

"Our aim is to increase OneMRI’s footprint and accessibility through market growth and product innovation. We’ve already seen everyday Australians, from schoolteachers to nurses, benefit from our scans, and believe that we have an important part to play as more people take a proactive approach to their long-term health."

The news also comes around a year after Andrew Barnes stepped down from his co-CEO role at Go1.

The company also has its sights set on international expansion with plans to offer services across the Asia Pacific region, while for now locations are continuously being added within the Australian market.

Several individuals have already identified life-threatening conditions through OneMRI’s technology - findings that may have otherwise gone undetected - with all scans reviewed by radiologists and discussed with doctors, maintaining clinical rigour throughout. The company’s imaging is designed to complement, not replace, diagnostic tests that may be more appropriate for specific medical concerns.

"I did a preventive MRI not out of fear, but because I believe in being proactive with my health," says Michelle, a life coach from Sydney who has used the service. "It gave me peace of mind and reminded me how important it is to listen to our bodies and take care of ourselves before something feels wrong."

OIF Ventures partner David Shein is "very impressed" by what the OneMRI team has achieved to date, and anticipates strong future growth for the company.

"Investing in OneMRI is not only an exceptional opportunity to back a fast-growing sector, but it’s also a way for us to support improved and more accessible care for Australians over time," he says.