Cooler Heads secures $11m Series A to expand Amma, the FDA-cleared portable scalp cooling device

Cooler Heads, a San Diego-based medical device innovator, has announced the successful close of its oversubscribed $11 million Series A funding round. The funding is set to accelerate manufacturing and commercial deployment of Amma, the only FDA-cleared portable scalp cooling system designed to help chemotherapy patients preserve their hair and privacy during treatment.

According to Cooler Heads’ press release on July 22, 2025, the funding round was led by Mutual Capital Partners, a healthtech-focused venture capital firm based in Cleveland. Additional investors include SHD Partners, Crescent Ridge VC, Cal Innovation Fund, NuFund, Robin Hood Ventures, Golden Seeds, HIP VC, and an undisclosed strategic investor. The company plans to use the funds to increase manufacturing capacity, grow its commercial team, and develop next-generation features for Amma.

What does Amma offer that existing scalp cooling methods do not?

Amma operates by reducing blood flow to hair follicles before, during, and after chemotherapy, helping protect them from the effects of cytotoxic drugs. Cooler Heads positions Amma as a low-friction, patient-centered solution compared to legacy cooling caps that rely on dry ice or complex cap exchanges. The device is entirely portable and has been designed to integrate seamlessly into existing clinical workflows, requiring minimal setup for infusion centers.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has further validated the technology’s importance by elevating scalp cooling reimbursement codes to Category I, effective January 2026. This regulatory move reflects growing clinical consensus around the role of scalp cooling in preserving patient well-being during cancer treatment.

Why is hair preservation during chemotherapy so critical?

Hair loss from chemotherapy has long been one of the most visible and emotionally distressing side effects for patients. Kate Dilligan, breast cancer survivor and CEO of Cooler Heads, explained the deep psychological toll this takes: “Hair loss is so emotionally devastating that 8% of patients eligible for chemotherapy refuse treatment.”

For many patients, hair loss marks a loss of identity, privacy, and dignity. The ability to preserve one’s appearance during such a vulnerable time can directly impact a patient’s mental health and willingness to undergo life-saving therapies.

Amma was developed with these emotional and clinical needs in mind. Jennifer George, a patient who used Amma throughout 16 cycles of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer in 2024, recalled, “In a process where so much is stripped away, scalp cooling helped me keep a part of myself intact, and that gave me strength.”

What do investors and analysts say about Cooler Heads’ potential?

Investment leaders cited Amma’s disruptive design and proven efficacy as key reasons for their backing. “Our investment in Cooler Heads reflects our confidence in the ability of this leadership team to make scalp cooling available wherever patients are getting chemotherapy,” said Liz Todia Zambory of Mutual Capital Partners. She added that Amma’s streamlined implementation also makes it highly attractive for infusion centers by reducing administrative and equipment-related friction.

Zambory has joined Cooler Heads’ board of directors alongside Mike Schotzinger of SHD Partners. The board also welcomes Jason Pesterfield, CEO of Elucent Medical, as an independent director—signaling a deeper alignment between emerging medtech ventures.

How is Amma different from conventional cold cap systems?

Unlike traditional scalp cooling systems, Amma does not rely on dry ice or refrigeration units, both of which can be cumbersome and limiting. Amma offers continuous cooling via a portable, self-contained system, enabling patients to receive treatment in clinics, at home, or wherever is most convenient.

This accessibility also opens up opportunities for broader implementation across a range of oncology settings, including smaller infusion centers that may have previously been unable to support cold cap therapy.

Furthermore, because the technology is FDA-cleared and now aligns with upcoming AMA reimbursement standards, it provides a more economically viable option for facilities and insurance providers. By eliminating technical and logistical hurdles, Amma could become the standard of care in outpatient chemotherapy over the coming years.

Why this Series A round marks a turning point for scalp cooling in cancer care

The timing of the Series A raise is notable, as it coincides with a broader shift in cancer care toward quality-of-life improvements and personalized support technologies. With reimbursement codes expected to take effect in early 2026 and the increasing recognition of the psychological aspects of treatment, industry analysts suggest that Amma is well-positioned to scale rapidly.

Cooler Heads’ ability to secure backing from a wide spectrum of investors—including healthcare venture firms and angel networks—demonstrates growing market appetite for supportive cancer care solutions that prioritize dignity, convenience, and accessibility.

The $11 million capital infusion will also enable Cooler Heads to optimize its supply chain and clinical partnerships as it looks to expand nationwide. In particular, the company plans to focus on hospital systems and oncology practices that are preparing for the new reimbursement landscape.

How is Cooler Heads addressing access and equity in cancer care?

One of the primary challenges in delivering scalp cooling has been equitable access across demographic and geographic lines. Rural and underfunded infusion centers often lack the infrastructure or staffing to offer traditional scalp cooling options. Cooler Heads has identified this gap and designed Amma to be highly portable and low-maintenance, ensuring that access is not limited to major urban hospitals or wealthier patient populations.

By minimizing the operational complexity and cost burden on clinics, Amma allows smaller oncology practices to offer a service that was once limited to elite institutions. This has significant implications for improving cancer care outcomes, especially in underserved communities where treatment dropout rates remain high due to emotional or logistical hurdles.

Kate Dilligan noted that Amma is more than just a technical solution—it is a means of healthcare democratization. “We believe that no patient should have to sacrifice their self-image or emotional wellbeing just because they can’t access the latest innovations,” she said.

What broader trends in oncology support Amma’s market growth?

The field of oncology is undergoing a significant transformation with an increased emphasis on holistic care, patient-reported outcomes, and the mitigation of treatment side effects. This shift has led both public and private payers to evaluate supportive technologies more favorably, especially those that align with value-based care models.

Scalp cooling is now being viewed not as a luxury but as an essential service that supports adherence to chemotherapy and improves quality of life metrics. With FDA clearance already secured, Amma enters this environment at an inflection point where clinical interest and reimbursement support are converging.

Additionally, the rise of outpatient and home-based chemotherapy treatment programs has created a demand for technologies that are not tethered to complex in-hospital systems. Amma’s portability addresses this shift directly, giving it an edge over legacy solutions in the scalp cooling market.

Is there scientific validation behind Amma?

Cooler Heads has emphasized the importance of clinical validation in its product development lifecycle. While detailed study data has not yet been publicly released, the FDA clearance of Amma implies it met necessary safety and performance standards. The device’s mechanism—inducing vasoconstriction in scalp blood vessels to reduce chemotherapy exposure to hair follicles—is based on well-documented principles used in scalp cooling therapies worldwide.

In the coming months, Cooler Heads is expected to publish peer-reviewed outcomes and patient satisfaction data that could further strengthen its position in oncology circles. Early anecdotal feedback, like that from Jennifer George, has already signaled positive patient experiences that are likely to attract more clinical adopters.