Kai Van Lieshout is an Australian entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Lyrebird Health, a fast-growing health-tech startup focused on using artificial intelligence to reduce the administrative burden on doctors. Based in Melbourne, Kai combines a background in engineering with a passion for improving healthcare delivery through innovative technology.
Kai studied engineering at the University of Melbourne. During his time as a student, he joined the Startmate Student Fellowship, a highly competitive program that encourages students to launch startups quickly. It was here that he met his co-founder, Linus Talacko, and together they began developing what would become Lyrebird Health.
Founded in early 2023, Lyrebird Health offers an AI-powered scribing tool that helps clinicians automate clinical documentation and administrative tasks. The platform aims to free doctors from paperwork, reduce burnout, and enable them to spend more time with patients. The company quickly gained traction, becoming Australia’s most widely used AI scribe for general practitioners, processing over 28,000 patient consults daily by mid-2023.
Lyrebird’s technology has attracted notable clients, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and Gold Coast Health in Australia, marking significant early wins for the young company. In June 2025, Kai led the announcement of a $12 million venture funding round led by Five V Capital and Octopus Ventures, with participation from Startmate. This investment is set to accelerate product development and expand Lyrebird’s reach internationally, particularly in the UK and the Middle East.
Kai is an advocate for thoughtful integration of AI in healthcare. He has spoken at industry events such as the Digital Health Festival, emphasizing how technology can support clinicians without disrupting care.
Timeline
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University Years: Studied engineering at the University of Melbourne; participated in Startmate Student Fellowship.
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Early 2023: Co-founded Lyrebird Health with Linus Talacko.
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Mid-2023: Lyrebird processes 28,000 patient consults daily in Australia.
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2024-2025: Expanded client base to include NHS and Gold Coast Health.
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June 2025: Secured $12 million in Series A funding to scale internationally.