Beam raises $80 million for AI-driven dental coverage that rewards good hygiene

– Beam Dental, a Columbus, Ohio-based dental benefits provider, today announced it has raised $80 million in an oversubscribed series E round led by Mercato Partners.
– Beam says the funds will be put toward expanding its offering to new markets, product R&D, and onboarding employee benefits brokerages.
– Alex Curry, Alex Frommeyer, and Dan Dykes founded Beam in 2012 to make dental care more affordable.
– Using AI, Beam rewards policyholders who brush and floss more with cheaper rates, reflecting the fact that preventative care reduces the likelihood of expensive dental work and emergency visits down the line.