Northwell Holdings and Aegis Ventures are joining forces to launch a new virtual care startup aimed at helping better manage menopause.
The new startup, calling Upliv, will partner with employers to provide telehealth and whole-person care to workers who are dealing with perimenopause or menopause symptoms. Northwell Health will pilot Upliv's platform with select nurses working at its health system, with plans to roll it out across the enterprise early next year.
The projected seed funding for Upliv is $8.4 million through the end of 2023, the partners said. The startup is the first launch in a planned portfolio of virtual care platforms jointly launched by Northwell Holdings and Aegis Ventures, which they expect to launch over the course of 2023.
"Many women going through menopause are not getting the care they deserve. The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can range from moderate to debilitating," said Upliv CEO Allison Schoeneck in the announcement. "Too often, those symptoms are dismissed. Menopause can disrupt our daily lives and has serious implications for our health. Through Upliv, we are providing evidence-based treatments and whole-person support to help women manage their health."
Upliv will be offered as a benefit to employees at zero cost, the companies said. It will include video consults with multidisciplinary menopause experts and coaches alongside prescription treatment paths, peer communities and online resources.
Northwell Health surveyed 900 employees and most respondents reported moderate to severe symptoms related to menopause, including hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, sleep issues and muscle aches. Better managing these symptoms offers a significant opportunity for employers to manage both health and employment-related costs.
"Making this important healthcare benefit available to our team members throughout their experience with menopause supports our belief in addressing unmet needs and providing access to evidenced-based care," said Gregg Nevola, vice president and chief of total well-being at Northwell Health, in the release.