Launchpad Digital Health partners with the best digital health entrepreneurs at an early stage to build companies that improve care, lower costs, and increase patient convenience.  We provide significant capital to our digital health companies. Investments from LDH are up to $1M in the seed round and $2-3M in the A&B rounds. LDH is looking for digital health companies ready to scale businesses focusing on healthy living, wellness, patient compliance, remote diagnostics and monitoring, electronic health and wellness records, data analytical tools and big data, and independent living support. The founders of Launchpad Digital Health have funded and operated a myriad of companies throughout the healthcare and technology sectors, including digital health companies, for the past two decades.

Launchpad Digital Health

Formed in late 2006, the Brisbane Angels Pty Ltd is a large group of private investors who actively invest in early stage technology companies, usually in South East Queensland, Australia. The members are typically active or semi-retired former senior business executives, who apart from financial input can provide much needed value adding to investee companies through hands-on management experience and high level business networks.

Brisbane Angels

LaunchVic works in partnership with entrepreneurs, industry, business, the community and their educational institutions to strengthen Victoria’s entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem.

LaunchVic

Australian Medical Angels is an Angel Syndicate that connects investors with early-stage health technology companies in diverse areas. The firm leverages its medical expertise to identify and support innovative companies in the healthcare sector, including biotechnology, medical devices, digital health, and pharmaceuticals. By providing capital and mentorship, Australian Medical Angels aims to accelerate the growth of healthcare startups and improve patient outcomes. The network comprises healthcare professionals passionate about advancing medical innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in the industry.

Australian Medical Angels

TEN13 is a world-leading syndicated platform based in Australia. Founded by Steve Baxter and Stew Glynn.

TEN13

Med Angels is a federation of Mediterranean angel networks. As a network of networks, we are focused on facilitating cross-border investing and syndicating deals among participating Mediterranean angel networks.

Med Angels

The Breakthrough Victoria Fund is a $2 billion investment by the Victorian Government to drive investment in research and innovation.

Breakthrough Victoria

FB10x adVentures

Access Capital Ventures is a Venture capital fund.

Access Capital Ventures

MAP  vision is to raise the culture of entrepreneurship on campus and contribute to the global startup ecosystem. MAP offer support through a range of workshops, programs and events for entrepreneurs at all stages of development. MAP   activities up-skill and network entrepreneurs and the best startups on campus are awarded Entrepreneurial Fellowships and access to the MAP Startup Accelerator. The MAP Startup Accelerator offers $20,000 funding, structured mentoring, office space and unparalleled access to the MAP network. Visit MAP   website for more information: http://map.eng.unimelb.edu.au

Melbourne Accelerator Program

Smileyscope

Smileyscope solves pediatric problems using VR keeping kids calm and still during needles, allowing clinicians to do their job safely. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in 	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Smileyscope is a Texas-based digital therapeutics (DTx) company that specializes in providing a virtual and augmented reality device for managing pain, anxiety, and mental health challenges in association with medical proceduresi. Smileyscope's flagship product, a patented therapy software called Procedural Choreography, is designed to reduce pain and anxiety during pediatric procedures by replacing negative stimuli with positive virtual stimuli. As of October 2023, the company has several clinical trials in progress and is seeking to expand its product offerings into additional patient segments. Smileyscope’s device is used by clinicians for medical procedures such as needle procedures, wound dressings, anesthetic induction, using nitrous oxide, awaiting theater, and plaster cast applications/removals.

New technologies are opening up mental health services to previously overbooked and underserved populations.

Mental Health Tech

Smileyscope: How This Company Uses VR To Help Reduce Patient Pain And Anxiety

Smileyscope is a Texas-based digital therapeutics (DTx) company that specializes in providing a virtual and augmented reality device for managing pain, anxiety, and mental health challenges in association with medical proceduresi. Smileyscope's flagship product, a patented therapy software called Procedural Choreography, is designed to reduce pain and anxiety during pediatric procedures by replacing negative stimuli with positive virtual stimuli. As of October 2023, the company has several clinical trials in progress and is seeking to expand its product offerings into additional patient segments. Smileyscope’s device is used by clinicians for medical procedures such as needle procedures, wound dressings, anesthetic induction, using nitrous oxide, awaiting theater, and plaster cast applications/removals.The company operates a B2B business model, with Smileyscope device costing hospitals around USD 3000–5,000 for an annual software license fee. Key customers and partnershipsIn September 2023, Smilescope partnered with pediatric non profit organization Invincikid to distribute the device free of charge to hospitals and clinics serving BIPOC and low-income population across the US. . Funding and financials

Boulder Care is a telehealth provider that offers virtual addiction treatment for substance use disorders, primarily focusing on opioid and alcohol use disorders. The company provides medical care, medication management, peer recovery coaching, and case management services through a mobile app, allowing patients to connect with a multidisciplinary care team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, peer recovery specialists, and social services support. Boulder Care's treatment approach includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), prescribing medications such as buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) for opioid use disorder and naltrexone, acamprosate, and others for alcohol use disorder. The company also delivers naloxone doses to patients to help reverse opioid overdoses.The company has implemented value-based payment arrangements with insurers, tying its financial success to patient outcomes. As of May 2024, Boulder Care had served over 12,000 patients across multiple states, with a concentration in Washington, Oregon, and Ohio. The company reports retention rates of 70%–80% of patients remaining in treatment after six months, significantly above the national average. Boulder Care had also expanded its services to include treatment for adolescents as of January 2024.Key customers and partnershipsBoulder Care has established partnerships with numerous health plans and employers to provide access to its services, including Elevance Health, UnitedHealth Community Plan, and Centene.

Boulder Care

<div>
 
 7 Cups provides an emotional-support platform with a network of volunteer listeners. Users can anonymously access either one-on-one chats or group chats 24/7, free of charge for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships and those related to the LGBTQ+ community. It also teaches users skills such as meditation to improve their lives. If users want additional support, the company also provides access to an online therapy platform with a network of 180 licensed therapists for a subscription plan of USD 150 per month. 7 Cups is available for users above 13 years of age (users between 13 and 17 years old engage with listeners who are specifically trained in teenage interactions).
 
 
 Volunteer peer listeners get free training and support as well as flexible scheduling. Once a user requests a chat, it will be directed to available listeners and if the user requests a specific listener, he will be connected as soon as the listener accepts the demand. The service is anonymous and the listener has no access to the details of the user unless the information is disclosed to the listener by the user in their conversations. As of January 2022, 7 Cups has facilitated more than 51 million conversations, served 25 million individuals, and had 300,000 trained listeners. The listeners serve in 180 countries in 140 languages.
 
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7 Cups

wayForward provides technology-supported behavioral health and emotional wellness services for employers planning to make services available to their employees. It uses a screening procedure designed by neuropsychologists to triage and help employee members get clinically relevant mental healthcare. The company provides a self-guided app, text-based coaching, video visits, telepsychiatry, and if required, in-person visits or an on-site counselor. wayForward leverages its evidence-based approach and artificial intelligence in delivering its services and claims that it has been able to reduce anxiety symptoms by 48% and depression symptoms by 59%.The company raised USD 2 million in a seed round in June 2020, which brought total funding to USD 4.5 million. DarioHealth, a chronic disease management platform based in Israel, signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of wayForward in May 2021 for a total consideration of USD 30 million. As of May 2021, the wayForward had approximately 20,000 members and was available in North America, Australia, and Europe.

wayForward

Coa is a mental health company that conducts online classes led by licensed therapists for mental health users. The classes focus on conditions such as stress, anxiety, confidence and relationships. The company raised USD 3 million in a seed round in October 2020 from investors led by Crosslink Capital.

Meru Health is an online platform that connects patients experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, and other mental health issues to licensed therapists. The company was founded by Kristian Ranta in 2016 after his older brother died from suicide after battling depression. The platform offers a 12-week program and personalized text-based coaching services and virtual workshops. Meru also provides access to progress reports and anonymous peer support groups as well as sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness advice. The program utilizes a wearable device that monitors heart rate variability and provides real-time feedback, allowing patients to visualize the connection between their mental and physical health.In March 2024, Meru Health introduced a 100% fees-at-risk pricing model for healthcare payers and employers, guaranteeing outcomes, access, and engagement. This value-based care approach aims to incentivize enrollment, quality care delivery, cost management, and medical cost savings.The company reported a 10x YoY growth in its customer base in 2020 and plans to serve 10 million users by 2027. The company also achieved 8x YoY growth in revenue in 2020 amid an increase in demand in mental health services brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.Key customers and partnershipsMeru Health partners with major health insurance providers, including Humana, Aetna, and Moda Health. In January 2022, the company joined Evernorth's national behavioral health provider network, making its services available to Cigna health plan customers accessing benefits through their employer or individual and family plans.Meru Health also works with employer groups to provide mental healthcare for employees. In September 2022, Meru Health and clinical trial platform Curebase <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13230">announced a partnership </a>to carry out a three-year clinical trial to measure the effectiveness of Meru Health’s 12-week digital depression treatment targeting primary care patients. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Innovation Research program.

Meru Health

Online peer-to-peer platform and support system that connects mental health communities.

Mobile-based apps and FDA-approved software that incorporate evidenced-based cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent, treat, or manage mental and behavioral conditions in conjunction with or as a replacement for traditional medication.

Products for behavioral health and mental health tracking, measurement-based care, and real-time remote monitoring of patients.

Subscription or membership-based platforms and apps to connect therapists, psychiatrists or behavioral health coaches with patients.

Offers virtual offerings for mental health consultations

Mental healthcare services offer personalized care tailored to a user's needs and treatment progression

There are mental health providers offering services specifically to help LGBTQ+ or BIPOC individuals

Several mental health technology providers offer therapy services rendered by AI/ML technology

Texas-based digital therapeutics company Smileyscope has raised an undisclosed amount in seed prime funding. The funding round was led by Breakthrough Victoria, with participation from Ten13, Alice Anderson Fund, and MedAngels. Smileyscope plans to use the funds to expand its pipeline and grow across health systems in the US and Australia. The company specializes in virtual and augmented reality therapeutics for pain, anxiety, and mental health management. Its flagship product, Procedural Choreography, aims to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric procedures. Smileyscope currently has ongoing clinical trials and aims to expand into additional patient segments.

Smileyscope

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