Image credit: Kiteline
UK-based healthtech startup Kiteline has raised £370,000 (nearly €432K) funding to help those who live with chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and COVID-19. The funding round saw participation from UK seed investor SFC Capital and global VC Antler and a group of selected angel investors.
With the proceeds, the startup plans to elevate its smart coach matching services and bring in new content forms which will have learning modules on the well-being of an individual and condition-specific resources.
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In the UK, almost one-third of its workforce suffers from long-term health condition and also has a sickness absence rate which is four times more than those without chronic conditions.
The sickness absence rate for those with a long-term health condition is four times higher (4.4 per cent) compared with those without such a condition (1.1 per cent).
What exactly does Kiteline do?
Founded by Candice Hampson and Christine Beardsell in 2020, Kiteline (formerly known as Liminal Health) partners with businesses to provide support to their employees with health coaching.
The healthtech startup uses its technological prowess to provide wellbeing support to people. It basically uses smart matching to become a point of contact between employees and an accredited coach.
Kiteline gives coaching virtually that promotes empathy over sympathy, and can sit alongside medical or psychological treatment, empowering individuals to set goals to change their everyday habits and lifestyle that will complement their treatment. The healthtech startup further gives personalised support for less stress, and better sleep, diet, and exercise.
On the fundraise, Kiteline co-founder and CEO Candice Hampson says, “The business case for better workplace support for those living with chronic health conditions is undoubted.”
Currently, the healthtech startup boasts of a client base that includes Global Forwarding, Big Society Capital, and VIVID.
Kiteline’s Future Plans
With the fundraise, the healthtech startup plans to enhance the personalised content and virtual health coaching to those employees who are affected by chronic conditions, activating lifestyle and behaviour change. It also plans to add a few courses that will offer learning modules on the well being of employees.
“As people continue to return to office post lockdown, the startup expects more growth in technology-focused, personalised coaching and wellbeing content, and will grow significantly,” adds CMO and co-founder, Christine Beardsell.
She further reveals that Kiteline has relaunched its website and hired few people who will work closely to coach people for better health.
The healthtech startup supports wellbeing in vulnerable staff, further decreasing the churn, increasing retention, tackling absenteeism and presenteeism, and improving workplace engagement, loyalty, and productivity.
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