Autism startup Forta gets $55M
Digital behavioral health company Forta said it secured $55 million in a Series A funding round.
Venture capital company Insight Partners led the round, alongside healthcare investors Exor Ventures and Alumni Ventures. Founders from 23&Me, Warby Parker, Harry’s and Allbirds also joined the round.
Read more: CVS Health invests in suicide prevention startup
Forta provides virtual behavioral care for children with autism spectrum disorder. The company uses an artificial intelligence algorithm within its parent-led applied behavior analysis therapy practice.
In a news release, Forta said the funding will help the company expand its AI-enabled practice and develop its clinical algorithm technology.
The round follows CVS Health Ventures’s $40 million Series D extension for Cortica, another autism-focused startup, in October. With autism diagnosis rates spiking, providers increasingly see technology as a means to increase access to applied behavioral analysis services in underserved communities.
Morgan Stanley backs health disparities startup
Health In Her Hue, a health disparities startup, received $3 million in a seed funding round
Corporate venture funds from investment banker Morgan Stanley and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson participated in the round alongside lead investor Seae Ventures.
Health In Her Hue aims to reduce racial health disparities for women of color by connecting them to culturally sensitive and responsive healthcare providers and content. The platform offers members with a content library, community forums and a directory where they can filter and search for providers
In a news release, Health In Her Hue said the new capital will allow it to build out new programs and products. The company raised $1.2M in a pre-seed round in 2021 to develop its platform. The funding brings the company's total to $4.2 million.
XRHealth nabs $6M from LG Electronics fund
XRHealth, a healthcare spatial computing platform and telehealth company, said it secured $6 million in funding.
The round was led by venture capital firm Asabys Partners. NOVA Prime, a venture capital fund created by LG Electronics, was among the other investors.
XRHealth, which has developed a virtual reality mental health therapies, said in a news release the funding would help advance development of its software. The company said its virtual therapy software can treat patients for mental health conditions and walk them through physical and occupational treatment programs.
XRHealth said the funding will support a merger with Amelia Virtual Care, which sells extended reality software addressing mental, physical and occupational health. The merger was annouced in April 2023.
Shimmer raises seed funding round
Shimmer, an online coaching platform for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, raised $2.2 million in seed funding.
The round was co-led by venture capital firm Worklife Ventures and SeedtoB Capital, with participation from Koa Labs, Aglaé Ventures and Gaingels.
Shimmer offers patients live sessions with coaches and the ability to track and set goals. With the funding, the company plans to expand its AI-focused product development and launch a scientific study researching ADHD coaching outcomes.
