# David Schummers

> David Schummers is the co-founder and CEO of Apella Technology, a San Francisco-based ambient AI company transforming how hospitals run their operating rooms. Using computer vision and machine learning, Apella captures real-time surgical intelligence - automatically documenting up to 14 case events per procedure and feeding structured data back into EHR systems - reducing OR turnover times by 16% and increasing case volume by 10%. Before founding Apella in 2019, Schummers spent two decades in health technology, including a pivotal stint at Auris Health as its first commercial executive, where he helped engineer the company's $5.7 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2019 - at the time the largest medical technology startup transaction in history. Apella raised an $80 million Series B in January 2026 led by HighlandX, bringing total funding to over $104 million.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at Apella Technology
- **Organizations:** Apella Technology, Auris Health, Providence Medical Technology, EndoGastric Solutions, Medtronic, Moon Surgical, Eko
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor's, Oberlin College
- **Known for:** Co-founded Apella Technology in 2019, growing it to 110 employees and $104M+ in total funding, Served as first commercial executive at Auris Health, helping orchestrate $5.7B acquisition by Johnson & Johnson (2019), Led Apella to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list in 2025 (Healthcare category)

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Graduated from Oberlin College
- **2007** — Joined Medtronic Spinal and Biologics as Director of Marketing
- **2008** — Joined EndoGastric Solutions as VP of Marketing
- **2012** — Joined Providence Medical Technology as VP of Marketing
- **2014** — Joined Auris Health as first commercial executive, VP of Business Development
- **2019** — Auris Health acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $5.7 billion - largest medtech startup acquisition in history at the time
- **2019** — Founded Occam Labs LLC (July 2019)
- **2019** — Co-founded Apella Technology (October 2019)
- **2020** — Became Senior Advisor at Moon Surgical and Eko
- **2021** — Apella raises $21M Series A led by Casdin Capital
- **2021** — Published 'Surgery Enters A Third Era of Innovation'
- **2024** — Tampa General Hospital launches Apella platform across its ORs
- **2025** — Apella named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies List (Healthcare category)
- **2025** — Apella wins MedTech Breakthrough Health Innovation Award
- **2026** — Apella raises $80M Series B led by HighlandX; Houston Methodist joins as investor

## Achievements

- Co-founded Apella Technology in 2019, growing it to 110 employees and $104M+ in total funding
- Served as first commercial executive at Auris Health, helping orchestrate $5.7B acquisition by Johnson & Johnson (2019)
- Led Apella to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list in 2025 (Healthcare category)
- Apella won 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Health Innovation Award
- Apella platform has supported over 500,000 surgical cases
- Apella reduces OR turnover times by 16% and increases surgical case volume by 10%
- Secured $80M Series B in January 2026 with Houston Methodist as both customer and investor
- Published thought leadership on ambient AI in healthcare in MedCity News and Medical Economics

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Apella closes $80M Series B led by HighlandX, with participation from Houston Methodist as both investor and customer partner
- **2025-12** — David Schummers publishes 'Improving Care Delivery With Ambient Technology' in MedCity News
- **2025-01** — David Schummers publishes 'The Near-Term Future of AI in Health Care' in MedCity News
- **2025-01** — Apella named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies List 2025 (Healthcare)
- **2025-01** — Apella wins 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Health Innovation Award
- **2024-08** — Tampa General Hospital launches Apella platform to transform OR safety and efficiency

## Links

- Website: https://apella.io
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schummers-b06b514
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/apellatech
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/apellatechnology

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-schummers
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-27