Malinka Walaliyadde

Malinka Walaliyadde is the CEO and co-founder of AKASA, a technology company focused on improving financial operations in healthcare through artificial intelligence (AI). He co-founded AKASA in January 2019 with a mission to address the complexities of healthcare revenue cycle management, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for healthcare systems.13

Background and Education

Before founding AKASA, Walaliyadde was a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, a prominent venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. There, he played a crucial role in establishing their healthcare investment team, overseeing investments totaling approximately $250 million across various healthcare sectors, including providers and biotechnology companies.14 He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering from Cornell University, where he graduated cum laude.23

Professional Journey

Walaliyadde's career began with roles at Deloitte and Corning Life Sciences, where he focused on healthcare and financial services. His experience spans various positions that emphasize technology's role in transforming healthcare operations. At AKASA, he leads efforts to implement Unified Automation—a solution designed to streamline administrative tasks within healthcare systems using AI and machine learning.14

Achievements

Walaliyadde has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to the healthcare industry. His work at AKASA has positioned the company as a leader in AI-driven solutions for revenue cycle management, helping healthcare organizations navigate the complexities of reimbursement processes while improving operational efficiency.34

Personal Insights

In interviews, Walaliyadde has expressed a strong commitment to leveraging technology to solve systemic issues within the U.S. healthcare system. He believes that innovation should focus not just on clinical care but also on enhancing backend operations to alleviate hidden costs affecting consumers.13