Yazen Health Secures €19.5 Million to Revolutionize Digital Obesity Care Across Europe

Yazen Health Raises €19.5 Million to Expand Digital Obesity Care Across Europe

Yazen Health, a leading telehealth company specializing in obesity-related healthcare, has announced the successful closure of its €19.5 million Series A funding round. The round was co-led by Evli Growth Partners and Helsana HealthInvest, with significant participation from new investors Almaz Capital and Yabeo, as well as continued support from existing backers Luminar Ventures and Aggregate Media. The funding will enable Yazen Health to expand its international footprint, enhance its digital platform, and improve care services in new and existing markets.

What Happened?

Yazen Health, a telehealth platform focused on treating obesity and related conditions, raised €19.5 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Evli Growth Partners and Helsana HealthInvest. The company, already profitable in Sweden, plans to use these funds to expand into new markets, strengthen their presence in existing ones, and enhance patient care by adding specialized healthcare providers to their platform.

Founded by CEO Fredrik Meurling, Yazen Health is a digital health company already demonstrating impressive growth. Operating profitably in Sweden, it serves over 20,000 patients with a notable retention rate of 70% after one year. These figures highlight the platform's ability to engage and maintain patient trust—a crucial aspect of long-term obesity treatment. The new funding will support Yazen Health's expansion into Spain, Norway, and the Netherlands while strengthening its pilot markets in the UK and Germany.

The company also announced a new chairman, Mikael Hed, a Growth Partner at Evli Growth Partners, who is expected to play a strategic role in steering the company during this important phase of scaling up.

Key Takeaways

• Successful Funding Round: Yazen Health has raised €19.5 million in a Series A round co-led by Evli Growth Partners and Helsana HealthInvest, with new and existing investors backing the company.
• Strategic Expansion: The funding will be used to expand services into Spain, Norway, and the Netherlands, and to reinforce their efforts in the UK and Germany.
• Enhanced Digital Healthcare Model: Yazen Health aims to enhance its app and integrate more healthcare professionals into its care model, including doctors, coaches, psychologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists.
• Leadership Strengthening: Mikael Hed has been appointed as the new chairman, providing strategic guidance for international growth.

Deep Analysis

Yazen Health's €19.5 million funding round signals a significant step forward in the world of digital healthcare, particularly within the niche of obesity management—a condition that has often been underserved by traditional healthcare systems. Led by prominent investors like Evli Growth Partners and Helsana HealthInvest, this round underscores confidence in Yazen Health's scalable telehealth model that combines medical expertise with a strong digital user experience.

The company's current performance in Sweden has already proven its capability to maintain sustained patient engagement, with over 20,000 active users and a high retention rate of 70% after one year. This sustained engagement is crucial, particularly in obesity management, where long-term adherence to treatment is often the key to success. The company’s profitability in Sweden further demonstrates the viability of its business model, blending positive health outcomes with a robust revenue stream.

Yazen's planned expansion into new European markets—Spain, Norway, and the Netherlands—reflects a strategy aimed at addressing the growing need for accessible, effective obesity treatment across Europe. These regions are ripe for healthcare innovation, particularly digital health solutions that can meet the demands of rising healthcare costs and growing incidences of lifestyle-related diseases. By targeting these markets, Yazen Health positions itself at the forefront of a transformative wave in digital healthcare, aligning well with governmental focus on preventive healthcare.

Additionally, Yazen Health's plans to use part of the new funding for app development and the enhancement of care services will allow the company to offer a more holistic approach to healthcare. By connecting patients with a broad range of healthcare providers, including psychologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists, the company is ensuring that obesity is addressed not just as a medical condition but as a multifaceted health challenge. This comprehensive care model could pave the way for a new trend in telehealth—specialized platforms that integrate multidisciplinary expertise rather than offering generalized health consultations.

Did You Know?

• Obesity Care Gap: Obesity has been a growing health challenge in Europe, with over 59% of adults in the EU being overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization. Traditional healthcare systems often lack the resources for long-term obesity management, leaving room for innovative digital health platforms like Yazen to fill the gap.
• Retention is Key: Patient retention is crucial for chronic condition management, and Yazen Health's 70% one-year retention rate is well above the industry average, showcasing its effectiveness in engaging patients for the long haul.
• Digital Health Surge: The European digital health market is expected to grow substantially, reaching over €379 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by the increased need for remote healthcare solutions, an area where Yazen Health is well-positioned.

Yazen Health's latest funding and ambitious growth plans place it in an exciting position to shape the future of obesity treatment through digital solutions. By expanding into high-potential European markets and enhancing the capabilities of its platform, the company is setting a new standard for comprehensive, condition-specific telehealth—making a difference not only in patient lives but also in the broader healthcare landscape.