Cash Flow: $50M For Mental Health, Maria Sharapova Backs Therabody, Alkaline Water Pioneers Net £1M

The game-changing investment, acquisition and funding news impacting the industry and driving the business of wellness this week.

Ginger Raises $50m to bolster mental health platform

Ginger, a leader in on-demand mental healthcare, has raised $50m in a Series D funding round led by Advance Venture Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners. The latest round of investment brings the company’s total funding to over $120m.

According to Ginger,  at a time when the world’s mental health crisis has reached an all-time high following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has observed record-high demand for mental health support. By delivering evidence-based behavioural health coaching, therapy and psychiatry right from a smartphone, Ginger says it is the only end-to-end telemental health provider designed to meet this skyrocketing demand at a fraction of the cost of traditional care. 

Tennis champion Maria Sharapova invests in tech wellness brand Therabody

Therabody, formerly known as Theragun — the global leader in percussive massage therapy — has secured an undisclosed investment from tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova.

Joining Therabody as a strategic advisor, Sharapova will play an instrumental role in supporting the company’s global growth strategy as a member of its Advisory Board, as the company continues its mission to transform and revolutionize the tech wellness space.

Thriver raises $33m to fuel a corporate culture revolution

Thriver, an enabler of workplace culture programs that engage employees, has raised $33m in a Series B funding round led by Viola Growth. The funding has been earmarked for expansion into new markets, to extend the capabilities of its workplace culture platform, and to grow its team.

The brand’s technology platform promotes thriving workplaces by making it easy for businesses to provide corporate food and culture and wellness initiatives that connect, engage, and motivate individuals and teams, wherever they are. 

Nurx raises $22.5m to continue expanding digital practice for women’s health

Nurx, a digital practice for women’s health, has raised $22.5m in Series C funding.

New investors Trustbridge, Comcast Ventures and Wittington Ventures participated in the round along with existing investors Union Square Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Digital Growth Fund. 

The company, which has raised $113m to date, says it will use the capital to support rapid patient growth and introduce new sensitive health services, including treatment for headaches and migraines.

Oxigen water announces Stephen Curry as new owner and board advisor

Functional water brand Oxigen has announced world-famous basketball player Stephen Curry as a new owner and board advisor, following a significant equity investment.

The pH-balanced water – which rebranded from Formula Four last year, makes oxygen stable in water through a proprietary formulation, as well as using 100% post-consumer use recycled plastic for its bottles. It is currently available in over 40000 stores across the US, including Kroger and CVS.

Alkaline water pioneers net £1m via crowdfunding

Alkaline water pioneer Actiph has secured more than £1m in its first crowdfunding campaign, following unprecedented demand for its product during the coronavirus pandemic.

The startup looks set to capitalise on its ongoing growth by driving further distribution across Europe, investing in marketing and accelerating new product development. The first alkaline ionised bottled water to be launched, and made, in the UK Actiph Water is produced by purifying natural spring water from Wenlock Spring in Shropshire, adding electrolytes, then supercharging by ionisation.

One Year No Beer, closes £1.75m funding round to help people take control of their drinking habits

One Year No Beer has closed a funding round on Seedrs with £1.75m secured from over 500 investors. 

Funds raised by new and returning investors build on a successful £3m raise to date, which includes investment from Mark Cowan, Ex-Director at Facebook, Joe De Sena, CEO and founder of Spartan and Death Race, and Alain Renaud, previously global head of mergers and acquisitions at HSBC. The funding will be used to further develop the technology infrastructure of the business, allowing it to scale its lifestyle support system which facilitates sustained behavioural changes, through the power of community and connection.