real Raises $10M to Revolutionize Therapy | LightSpeed & Megan Rapinoe Backed

The Growing Focus on Mental Wellness and Real's Innovative Approach

Recent times have significantly increased awareness surrounding mental health, and the startup Real is poised to disrupt the industry with its on-demand group therapy service.

Inspired by Established Group Therapy Models

Real, spearheaded by CEO Ariela Safira, draws inspiration from the well-established practice of group therapy. Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous have demonstrated considerable effectiveness over decades. However, this format hasn't been consistently accessible for a broad spectrum of challenges beyond addiction.

Securing Funding for Expansion

To facilitate the deployment of this service, Real has successfully secured $10 million in Series A funding. This investment round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with contributions from both existing and new investors, notably including Megan Rapinoe and Eric Kendricks, a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.

Real's Service Offering and Accessibility

Real utilizes a team of full-time therapists to facilitate group therapy sessions addressing diverse issues. These encompass explorations of sexuality, anxiety management, navigating family conflicts, and other common life challenges.

Users gain access to these "pathways," as Real terms them, for a monthly fee of $28. This provides on-demand access to recorded group therapy sessions, alongside supplementary journal prompts and resources.

Benefits of the Platform

A key advantage of Real lies in its ability to deliver practical advice, rather than solely focusing on problem exploration. Furthermore, the platform fosters a sense of community, allowing users to recognize they are not alone in their struggles.

Timely Access is a crucial element; Real empowers users to engage with relevant conversations and therapy precisely when they need it.

Addressing the Timing of Mental Health Support

Safira highlighted the limitations of traditional therapy scheduling. An individual might experience intense emotions at a specific moment, such as 11 pm on a Wednesday, but access to a one-on-one session may not be available until Monday afternoon. By that time, their emotional state could have shifted. Real provides immediate access to appropriate support.

Unique Insights into User Needs

Interestingly, Real’s data reveals a divergence in needs compared to traditional one-on-one therapy. While individual therapy often centers on general anxiety, relationship issues, and career guidance, Real’s most popular pathways focus on sexuality, motherhood, and intimacy. This suggests individuals may be more willing to address sensitive topics within a group setting.

Cost-Effectiveness Through Scalability

By scaling group therapy sessions to a wider, on-demand audience, Real has significantly reduced the cost of this type of service, particularly when contrasted with individual therapy.

The Genesis of Real: A Personal Journey

Real’s development stems from years of dedicated work within the mental health field. During her undergraduate studies at Stanford, Safira experienced a friend’s suicide attempt, which prompted her to critically examine the existing mental health system.

“I dedicated two to three years to researching how to redesign mental healthcare,” she stated. “This involved visiting rehab centers, therapy offices, and even architectural firms specializing in mental health spaces to understand the rationale behind design choices. I questioned everything, from the research supporting bright white walls in inpatient facilities to the influence of legal and financial constraints.”

Safira briefly left and then returned to Stanford, subsequently pursuing a master’s degree at Columbia, before ultimately leaving Columbia to establish Real. The timing now appears optimal, as Real has attracted investment from prominent figures in both venture capital and the broader public sphere.

Endorsements from High-Profile Investors

Megan Rapinoe expressed her admiration for Safira’s innovative approach, stating, “[Ariela] challenged conventional therapies and disrupted the status quo, which I found incredibly interesting.” Rapinoe also emphasized the importance of increasing access to mental health services, hoping the platform will facilitate help for those in need.

Rapinoe is joined by Gwyneth Paltrow and Eric Kendricks as investors in Real.

Kendricks' Personal Connection to Mental Wellness

Kendricks shared that while he hadn’t previously sought therapy, conversations with his fiancé and her family, who have navigated mental health challenges, broadened his perspective.

“Despite my success on the field and financial stability, I experienced moments of self-doubt and introspection,” he explained. “Recognizing this, I proactively sought help, and the experience was transformative.”

He believes the evolving societal acceptance of mental health has created a receptive environment for a proactive and preventative platform like Real.

Responding to Crises with "Real to the People"

Real has demonstrated agility in responding to significant global events. The company launched “Real to the People,” offering free access to the platform during times of crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and the recent surge in anti-Asian hate crimes.

Lightspeed's Vision for the Future of Mental Health

Nicole Quinn, a partner at Lightspeed, highlighted the firm’s long-standing interest in the mental health space, noting their previous investment in Calm.

“The key insight for me came from observing the success of Alcoholics Anonymous,” Quinn said. “The benefits of group support are clear. We believe this model can be effectively scaled to address a wider range of mental health needs.”

To date, Real has raised a total of $16 million since its inception.