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Epocrates has raised $35.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Epocrates.
Epocrates has raised $35.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Epocrates is a mobile medical reference application provider that delivers clinical content and decision-support tools for healthcare professionals at the point of care. The digital platform serves a network of over 1.4 million active members, including approximately 50 percent of all practicing physicians in the United States. Previously operating as a publicly traded entity on the Nasdaq exchange, the business was subsequently acquired and currently functions as a subsidiary of athenahealth. Under the leadership of President and General Manager David Minkin, the organization focuses on data monetization and expanding digital resources for its clinical user base. Prior executive leadership included former Chief Executive Officers Andrew Hurd and Peter Brandt, who guided the company's earlier expansion phases in the healthcare information sector. Epocrates was originally founded in 1998 by co-founders Jeff Tangney and Richard Fiedotin.
Key people at Epocrates.
Epocrates is a healthcare technology company that builds clinical information and decision support tools primarily for healthcare professionals. Its flagship product is a mobile app that provides physicians and other clinicians with instant access to trusted drug information, medical content, and clinical decision support at the point of care. Epocrates serves over 900,000 healthcare professionals, including about one-third of U.S. physicians and 40% of medical students, helping them make more informed medical decisions, reduce errors, and improve efficiency in patient care[2][5]. The company has demonstrated strong growth momentum, becoming the second most recognized healthcare brand among physicians after Microsoft, largely driven by word-of-mouth referrals and ongoing innovation[2].
Epocrates was founded in 1998 by Jeff Tangney, a technology enthusiast, and Richard Fiedotin, a practicing physician. The idea emerged from their shared frustration with the difficulty of quickly accessing reliable clinical information during patient care. They aimed to leverage handheld devices to provide physicians with essential medical information they could not easily remember[1]. Early traction came through a combination of innovative product development and strategic partnerships, including an initial deal with Pfizer that helped fund the company’s early growth and credibility[4]. The company evolved from a small startup operating out of a subleased house to a leading provider of mobile clinical decision support tools headquartered in San Mateo, California[1][5].
Epocrates rides the trend of mobile health (mHealth) and digital transformation in healthcare, addressing the critical need for real-time clinical decision support amid increasing complexity in medical care. The timing was pivotal as smartphones became ubiquitous, allowing Epocrates to embed itself in physicians’ workflows early on. Market forces such as the push for improved patient safety, reduction of medical errors, and efficiency in healthcare delivery favor Epocrates’ solutions. By providing trusted, easily accessible clinical information, Epocrates influences the broader ecosystem by setting standards for mobile clinical decision tools and supporting the digital evolution of healthcare practice[2][3].
Looking ahead, Epocrates is positioned to continue expanding its impact by integrating more advanced decision support capabilities, potentially leveraging AI and data analytics to further enhance clinical accuracy and efficiency. Trends such as personalized medicine, interoperability, and value-based care will shape its journey. As part of the athenahealth family, Epocrates may deepen its integration with broader healthcare IT systems, increasing its influence on clinical workflows and patient outcomes. Its strong brand and user base provide a solid foundation for ongoing innovation in mobile health technology[3][2].
Epocrates’ origin as a physician-driven tech startup that embraced mobile innovation early remains central to its identity as it continues to evolve in the dynamic healthcare technology landscape.
Epocrates has raised $35.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Epocrates's investors include InterWest, Wildcat Ventures.
Epocrates has raised $35.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $35.0M Series B in August 2000.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2000 | $35M Series B | — | InterWest, Wildcat Ventures | Announced |
