Cash Flow: Bayer Acquires Stake In Care/of, Urban Crowdfunds , Compass Pathways Files For IPO

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

Unilever acquires health-science nutrition and wellness company Liquid I.V.

Unilever is set to acquire Liquid I.V., a US-based health-science nutrition and wellness company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Brandin Cohen. Liquid I.V.’s electrolyte drink mixes utilise Cellular Transport Technology, which enhances the rapid absorption of water and other key nutrients into the bloodstream, helping people feel better, faster. According to Unilever, it shares its purpose to improve people’s health and wellbeing, as well as its ambition to create sustainable products that have a positive social impact.

Bayer to acquire 70% stake in vitamin brand Care/of 

Pharmaceutical company Bayer AG is set to acquire a majority stake in personalized supplement brand Care/of, valuing the startup at $225m.

According to Forbes, Bayer believes Care/of’s business model and product can be expanded to traditional retail channels as the company hopes to reach new customers.

The 4-year-old company has previously funds from investors including Goldman Sachs’ venture capital unit, Goodwater Capital and Tusk Ventures.

On-demand wellness platform Urban raises £5m in ongoing crowdfunding campaign

On-demand wellness app Urban has raised more than £5m in an ongoing crowdfunding campaign — smashing its original target of £2m.

The funds will be used to scale its booking platform for self-care services. According to the brand, with 50+ wellness treatments ready to book, it has the potential to span all aspects of wellness, from massage to mindfulness and beyond.

Emme secures $2.5m for women’s health service

Emme, a healthcare technology company focused on women’s health has raised $2.5m in seed funding led by Magnetic Ventures.

The startup has now launched its Emme Smart Case — an integrated solution designed to reduce the 9% failure rate of birth control pills through the use of smart technology. Its smart case syncs with an app to send persistent customized reminders to users until their dose is taken, as well as providing contraceptive guidance when needed. 

Cash Flow: Bayer Acquires Stake In Care/of, Urban Crowdfunds , Compass Pathways Files For IPO
Image: Emme
Israeli VC fund Welltech1 invests $400K in children’s wellness platform

Welltech1, the first Israeli VC fund and hub to specialize in wellness-related technologies, has invested $400,000 in PopBase, one of two startups that beat 152 companies in the international startup competition run in collaboration with the Global Wellness Institute. The funds will be used to expand the PopBase team and speed up product development.

The company, which has developed a patent-protected technology platform that teaches and encourages children to adopt a healthy way of life has raised $1.8m to date, from Israeli and American investors, including The Brandery, a subsidiary of the American accelerator gener8tor; Queen City Angels, a veteran angel investor group; and Baron VR, an immersive media agency. 

AI-powered sale and marketing platform Keepme raises $1.7m

Keepme, an AI-powered sale and marketing platform created to help operators increase their income, has closed its first funding round at $1.7m. The funding will be used to support the continued growth of the organisation and product development.

The announcement comes at a time when despite the challenges of the pandemic, Keepme has managed to continue adding new customers, as well as evolve its offering to support fitness operators through every step of their customer life cycle.

Compass Pathways Files for US IPO

Compass Pathways, a mental health care company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health has filed for a US IPO.

Earlier this year the company announced the completion of an $80m Series B investment earmarked for expansion of its lead programme in psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression, taking its funding to date to $116.2m.

Dwayne Johnson invests in financial wellness platform Acorns

Acorns, a financial wellness system helping over 8 million Americans save and invest for the future, has announced that Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia have become strategic investors in the business. 

Acorns also announced, “It begins with $7 bucks,” an exciting partnership with Johnson featuring several programs that encourage families to start early and invest in the next generation. To kick off “It begins with $7 bucks,” each new Acorns Early family will receive $7 bucks invested into their Acorns Early account.