Ro

Ro is a direct-to-consumer telehealth provider, which started by offering a telehealth platform for men's health. The company later broadened its scope and currently operates through three digital platforms covering 1) men’s health (Roman), 2) women's health (Rory), and 3) smoking addictions (Zero). As of May 2021, the company provided treatments covering around 20 conditions, such as sexual health, hair loss, and menopause, and had facilitated more than 6 million telehealth visits across the US. Each platform provides its respective users with online consultations (video, phone, or chat), free medicine delivery (through its network of nationwide pharmacies), and continuous follow-up care. Ro also operates a pharmacy, which offers more than 500 generic medications via mail order for USD 5 per month per drug.

The company uses an asynchronous approach whereby it obtains patient information through a chatbot (at a cost of USD 15). This is followed up within 24 hours by a doctor, who reviews and provides a treatment plan by either chat, phone, or video options. The cost of any medicines prescribed is paid by the patient. As of February 2022, the company had a pharmacy network of 10.

In November 2021, Ro announced its plans to acquire Dadi , an at-home men’s fertility kit provider, in order to bolster its expansion efforts in men’s and women’s health, particularly in the fertility tech space. The deal would mark Ro’s fourth acquisition in the past 12 months, which includes Workpath, Kit , and Modern Fertility .</ul> Along with the acquisitions, the company launched Ro Mind for mental health and Ro Derm for skincare. It plans to introduce an integrated platform in 2022 that provides access to all of Ro’s offerings. The company expected Ro Derm to earn revenue of more than USD 20 million in 2021 and non-Roman revenue growth of 150% YoY.

Funding and financials

Ro raised USD 150 million in a venture funding round led by ShawSpring Partners in February 2022, reportedly valuing the company at USD 6.6 billion. The proceeds are earmarked for broadening its access to patients in both online and offline spaces and funds will also be injected into the company’s current and potential new investments.