Cooler Heads, a trailblazing medical device company, has successfully closed an oversubscribed $11 million Series A funding round to accelerate the manufacturing and commercial rollout of Amma™, the first and only FDA-cleared Portable Scalp Cooling System designed to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
Amma™ offers a groundbreaking solution to one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy—hair loss. This portable scalp cooling system provides patients and infusion centers with flexible, convenient scalp cooling options. The innovation comes at a critical time, as many patients delay or decline treatment due to the emotional impact of hair loss.
“Hair loss is so emotionally devastating that 8% of eligible chemotherapy patients refuse treatment,” said Kate Dilligan, breast cancer survivor and CEO of Cooler Heads. “Amma™ integrates easily into clinical workflows, and with the American Medical Association elevating scalp cooling reimbursement codes to Category I by January 2026, the adoption of this technology is poised to grow significantly.”
A Smarter Way to Prevent Hair Loss During Chemotherapy
Amma™ works by cooling the scalp before, during, and after chemotherapy sessions, reducing blood flow to hair follicles and shielding them from the impact of chemotherapy drugs. The system offers continuous cooling without the need for dry ice or cap replacements, making it a more patient-friendly and operationally efficient alternative to traditional scalp cooling methods.
Funding to Fuel Expansion and Innovation
The Series A round was led by Mutual Capital Partners, a Cleveland-based venture capital firm focused on healthcare technologies. Other participating investors include SHD Partners, Crescent Ridge VC, Cal Innovation Fund, NuFund, Robin Hood Ventures, Golden Seeds, HIP VC, and a strategic investor whose identity remains undisclosed.
The funding will be used to:
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Increase manufacturing capabilities
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Expand the commercial and sales teams
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Develop the next-generation Amma™ system
“Cooler Heads is redefining supportive care in oncology,” said Liz Todia Zambory of Mutual Capital Partners. “This technology makes scalp cooling far more accessible and easier to implement in infusion centers across the country.”
Leadership and Governance Enhancements
As part of the funding announcement, Mike Schotzinger of SHD Partners joins Cooler Heads’ Board of Directors. Additionally, Jason Pesterfield, CEO of Elucent Medical, comes onboard as an independent director, further strengthening the company’s strategic vision and execution capabilities.
Hope for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
More than just a medical device, Amma™ has become a symbol of dignity and emotional strength for patients navigating cancer treatment.
“In a process where so much is stripped away, scalp cooling helped me keep a part of myself intact,” shared Jennifer George, who used Amma™ through 16 chemotherapy cycles for early-stage breast cancer in 2024. “That gave me strength.”
With a robust pipeline of innovations, a growing user base, and strong investor backing, Cooler Heads is well-positioned to transform how patients experience chemotherapy—not only clinically, but emotionally.