Digital gastrointestinal care startup Salvo Health launched last week with $10.5 million in seed funding.
The round was led by Threshold Ventures with participation from Torch Capital and Felicis Ventures.
WHAT THEY DO
The startup offers a virtual clinic geared toward people with chronic gut problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
For a $127-per-month membership, users are matched with a care team made up of a physician, a health coach and a care navigator. They can help build a plan for nutrition, brain-gut exercises, and sleep and stress management. Doctors can also help patients access diagnostic testing or mediations.
Salvo executives said the company will use the new funds to invest in its technology, market its services, research member experiences and outcomes, and expand to more states. The startup currently operates in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee and Virginia.
“There is no quick-fix cure-all for chronic conditions like IBS or GERD, but with the right treatment approach from an expert team, and equipping our members with diverse strategies and tools, we can help people restore balance to their lives,” CEO and cofounder Jeff Glueck said in a statement. “The conventional medical system often underserves chronic GI conditions, so we assembled top minds to provide comprehensive and accessible care through an easy-to-use, app-based approach.”
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Salvo isn’t alone in the virtual gastrointestinal care space. Another startup that offers patients a virtual care team to manage gut health problems is Oshi Health, which announced a $23 million Series A round in October last year. In March, Oshi launched a partnership with virtual care company Firefly Health to offer its services to their members.
Meanwhile, Vivante Health raised $16 million in a Series A round in March. Alongside Oshi, it was added to Solera Health’s marketplace of benefits and chronic care management tools later that month.