Vira Health Raises £1.5M to Personalize Menopause Support

The Rising Focus on Menopause Support in the Startup Landscape

A significant shift is occurring within the startup ecosystem, addressing a long-overlooked issue. The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions has prompted increased scrutiny, with a particular focus on the impact of menopause.

Research indicates a notable trend of women leaving leadership roles during menopause. In the United Kingdom, menopause-related issues contribute to approximately 14 million lost workdays annually and are linked to 1 million early career departures.

Vira Health Secures Seed Funding

Vira Health has recently completed a £1.5 million seed funding round, led by LocalGlobe and MMC Ventures. The investment round also saw participation from several angel investors.

These investors include Megumi Ikeda of Hearst Ventures, Andrea Zitna from Elvie, Sophia Bendz, Matt Robinson, and Simon Lambert, demonstrating growing interest in this area.

Introducing Stella: Personalized Menopause Care

Established in 2020 by Andrea Berchowitz and Rebecca Love, Vira Health is dedicated to providing personalized care for women experiencing menopause.

Their initial offering, an app named Stella, delivers 12-week menopause treatment plans, informative content, and access to virtual events. These events range from yoga sessions to question-and-answer sessions with gynecologists.

Statements from Founders and Investors

Andrea Berchowitz, co-founder of Vira Health, highlighted the importance of addressing this critical health need.

Remus Brett, an investment partner at LocalGlobe, stated that the existing healthcare system often falls short in providing the comprehensive, ongoing support that women require during menopause.

Alexia Arts, an investor at MMC Ventures, emphasized the potential of data-driven insights to transform healthcare delivery. She specifically noted the need to bridge the gender data gap prevalent in female healthcare.

Founder's Background

Before founding Vira Health, Andrea Berchowitz held a position as an associate partner at McKinsey & Company. Her work focused on women’s health within both the public and private sectors.

She also previously led Middle East operations for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing substantial experience to her current venture.