Wysa

Wysa is an AI-based chatbot that uses cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and meditation to help users cope with anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Conversations with Wysa and self-help tools in the chat are free, anonymous and privacy protected. The mobile app also offers a premium service, equipped with over 150 self-help tools and text-based support from either a therapist or well-being coach at a price of USD49.99 per annum. The company caters to both individuals (D2C) and is available to employees through employer benefit programs (B2B2C).

Wysa was developed by Indian and UK-based Touchkin and was first launched as a Facebook Messenger app in 2016. The app moved out of Facebook in 2018 and is available on both iOS and Android devices. In December 2020, Wysa partnered with Adi Health+Wellness to provide AI chatbot support for Adi Health’s CARe platform. ORCHA, a global health app evaluation agency awarded Wysa an overall rating of 93%, including a 100% on clinical safety, and recommended Wysa as the best app for COVID-19 stress and anxiety. As of October 2021, the company has partnered with 20 enterprises and was available to 10 million employees worldwide in March 2022. In addition, Wysa’s app has facilitated more than 100 million conversations and was used by more than 3.5 million individuals living in over 65 countries. 

In May 2022, the company was granted “Breakthrough Device Designation” by the FDA for its chatbot targeting adults diagnosed with chronic musculoskeletal pain as well as depression and anxiety symptoms.

Funding and financials

In July 2022, the company raised USD 20 million in a Series B funding round led by HealthQuad, along with participation from other investors. This brought the total funds raised by the company to USD 29.4 million. The funds were set aside to expand the company’s geographical footprint globally across the US, UK, and India. The funds were also earmarked to be used to increase the number of languages on the platform as well as enable access through the messaging platform Whatsapp.