In the United States, more than 25 million people struggle to communicate effectively with healthcare providers due to limited English proficiency (LEP). No Barrier, a San Francisco-based healthcare AI startup, offers a solution by delivering real-time, HIPAA-compliant medical interpretation services in over 40 languages.
Their platform integrates with hospital systems and electronic health records (EHRs), enabling instant, accurate communication at every step of the patient journey, from check-in to diagnosis and follow-up care.
Today, No Barrier has raised $2.7 million in an oversubscribed seed round to make healthcare communication instant and accessible for everyone. A-Squared Ventures, Esplanade Ventures, Rock Health Capital, and Fusion led the round.
Breaking down language barriers in medicine
Eyal Heldenberg co-founded No Barrier to eliminate language barriers permanently in healthcare, ensuring equitable and immediate access to accurate communication for every patient. Heldenberg said, “Our mission is simple: make healthcare communication immediate, accurate, and accessible to every patient. We’re removing language barriers from healthcare, permanently.”
No Barrier’s technology is engineered for medical interpretation, distinguishing it from general-purpose AI translators like Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. The solution provides real-time speech-to-speech interpretation, securely integrated within clinicians’ existing workflows and electronic records, maintaining HIPAA compliance and clinical-grade accuracy.
Key differentiators include zero wait times for interpretation, comprehensive support for over 40 languages with specialised medical vocabulary, and up to 70% reduction in interpretation costs by removing dependency on costly human interpreters.
While many healthcare providers rely on third-party interpreters or telephone-based services, No Barrier’s AI-driven platform offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative that enhances both provider confidence and patient privacy.
What’s next?
No Barrier plans to accelerate its expansion across the US healthcare system, targeting a wide range of care points. The company also aims to broaden adoption in hospitals, clinics, and speciality care centres while continuing to refine its AI technology for better accuracy and expanded language coverage.
Esplanade Ventures Managing Partner, Ella Seitz, said, “As an immigrant myself, I saw the challenge first-hand when my family moved to Canada and my younger sister was misdiagnosed for months, resulting in emergency surgery, and organ loss… I was that child who tried to help their parents talk to the clinicians but found it difficult to translate technical medical knowledge in a non-native tongue, which is why this solution is so valuable and impactful to not only my story, but so many others.”
Rock Health Capital Venture Principal Sean Day shared, “No Barrier is building what we consistently hear health systems asking for: a compliant, scalable way to expand language access, improve quality, and reduce costs. The No Barrier team has done an incredible job translating that vision into technology that strengthens care delivery and equity.”
