New startup focused on behavioral health for seniors at home, Rippl, launches with $32M in funding

Rippl, a new mental health startup focused on seniors, has launched with $32 million in seed round funding. 

The round was led by Arch Venture Partners and General Catalyst,alongside participation from GV (formerly Google Ventures), F-Prime Capital and Mass General Brigham Ventures. Rippl will use the funding to staff up and train its clinicians, build technology and open a Washington-based clinical support center for pilot networks. 

The startup is led by CEO and co-founder Kris Engskov, former president of assisted living provider Aegis Living, and co-founders Robert Nelsen and Inca Dieterich, Ph.D., managing director and associate, respectively, at Arch Venture Partners. Rippl’s aim is to pioneer a new care model by expanding access to wraparound mental health care for seniors. By harnessing its platform, Rippl will provide 24/7 access to care by phone, online or in patients’ homes. The company would be a natural partner for home care and hospice agencies, Engskov told Home Health Care News.

“Mental health care for seniors is broken,” Engskov said in a press release. The healthcare system is not designed for seniors with mental health challenges, he continued, “leaving many families and caregivers to navigate these complex conditions alone. We can no longer accept the status quo.” Rippl is focused on keeping seniors with specialized conditions out of the ER and “healthier and happier at home.” 

In the announcement, Rippl acknowledged that for success to be achieved, it is critical to facilitate a healthy workplace culture where clinicians can thrive. Besides competitive compensation and benefits, Rippl says it is working with clinical teaching institutions to design an “academy” focused on upskilling and recruiting its team. 

“We know when we care obsessively for our clinicians, our patients and families will get the care they deserve,” Karrie Austin, vice president of clinical operations, said in the announcement. "We've pulled together a diverse team of people who come from a range of backgrounds. What connects them is they are all caregivers,” Nelsen echoed.