Evolving state of Telehealth DTC

September 10 2020

As retail kicks into its traditional high-season, from back-to-school to Christmas, people's focus is back to the landscape and growth prospects of the industry. Indeed, this year is anything but traditional. The upcoming holiday shopping might also look different.

The pandemic has shed light on self-care and customized nutritional and health solutions. Many startups have capitalized on this trend. Those startups have blurred the lines of DTC consumer products and telemedicine.

Take the company Ro for example. Ro provides discrete at-home consultation for what might have been embarrassing health issues such as hair loss, sexual health, and addiction. Once an illness is diagnosed and a prescription filled, Ro will send a beautifully packaged medicine pack to the customer/patient. The customer-driven model puts patients at ease and more likely to have a positive experience interacting with Ro than with a doctor's office.

Digital medicine is assuming a central position in the healthcare world, with most consultations now occurring online. Reimbursement schemes for telemedicine have changed dramatically and investors see an opportunity to capitalize on these changes by aggressively backing the expansion plans of companies looking to bring digital healthcare directly to consumers.

Many health DTC startups are now seeking to expand with public market fundraising. Ro’s major competitor, Hims, is reported to be seeking access to public markets through its sale to a special purpose acquisition company for roughly $1 billion.

Looking for US Private Company Information?
Start for free, Upgrade for more.

Get Started

DTC Top Performers in 2020:

Hims, Inc. is a telemedicine company that operates Hims and Hers, which sell men's and women's personal care products. Hims, Inc. was founded in 2017 with the launch of Hims, and Hers was launched in 2018. In January 2019, Hims became the second-fastest startup to join the unicorn club after Bird.

Nurx is a leader in online birth control and STI testing for women. Nurx provides convenient, affordable, and personalized care for sensitive health needs. By reimagining the healthcare experience, Nurx offers patients transparent pricing and judgement-free care whenever and wherever works best for them. Nurx believes everyone should have the freedom to live well and be in charge of their healthcare decisions, regardless of their circumstances. From diagnosis to delivery, Nurx makes every part of getting healthy and staying healthy, better.

Ro is an American digital health company that diagnoses, prescribes and delivers treatment through its 3 services: Roman for men's health, Rory for women's health, and Zero for smoking cessation. The company is headquartered in New York City.

Peloton to cut price of current bike, launch new classes

Peloton Interactive Inc. is preparing to launch a cheaper treadmill and a new high-end bike, while cutting the price of its existing bike to stoke demand as many gyms remain closed, according to people familiar with the matter.
[Read more].

Lightmatter Startup Tries to Speed Up Computing Using Light

The idea of using light instead of electricity in computing has been around for decades. Boston-based startup Lightmatter Inc. believes the technology’s time has finally come. [Read more].

Since last week, PrivCo has added:
634 Companies | 74 M&A Deals | 289 Funding Activities

Funding & Deal Highlights:

OANDA Global Corporation, a global leader in online multi-asset trading services, currency data and analytics; has entered into an Agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of a leading Poland-based multi-asset class broker, Dom Maklerski TMS Brokers S.A. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Kellermeyer Bergensons Services, LLC, a trusted partner to leading operations and facility managers across North America, today announced the acquisition of Clearview Cleaning Service, Inc.

Episerver, a leader in Digital Experience Platforms, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Optimizely, the leader in experimentation and optimization. This combination creates the most advanced digital experience platform to optimize every customer touchpoint across the entire user journey.

Conversica, Inc., a Foster City, Calif.-based leader in Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) enabling organizations to attract, acquire and grow customers at scale, raised $20m in Series D funding.

Oversight, the global leader in spend management technology, today announced its acquisition by TCV, one of the largest growth equity firms backing private and public technology companies. The investment and expertise from TCV are expected to help Oversight expand its product innovation and build upon its market-leading portfolio of enterprise spend risk solutions. TCV will acquire a majority interest from Luminate Capital Partners, who will continue to support the company as a minority equity partner.

Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has acquired RTIC, the largest direct-to-consumer (“D2C”) eCommerce provider of high-quality coolers, tumblers, bottles, travel bags and other products for outdoor enthusiasts. Based in Houston, RTIC was founded by brothers Jim and John Jacobsen and quickly grew into the leading D2C brand for premium coolers and insulated drinkware. Today, the Company offers a broad portfolio of RTIC-branded products under its “Overbuilt. Not Overpriced.” promise.

Altice USA, Inc. announces that it has presented an offer to Cogeco Inc. and Cogeco Communications Inc. to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Cogeco. Altice USA has also entered into an arrangement to sell all the Canadian assets of Cogeco to the largest long-term shareholder of Cogeco, Rogers Communications Inc., if its transaction with Cogeco is completed. Upon completion of the overall transaction, Altice USA would own all the U.S. assets of Cogeco, namely Atlantic Broadband.

Thanks for reading!
Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here.