Blueroomcare, a Nigerian healthtech startup, has announced the close of its pre-seed funding round. The undisclosed round, led by EHA Ventures, with participation from TVC Labs and Innovest Africa, will allow the mental healthtech company to develop its technology and expand its services within and beyond Nigeria.
Founded by Moses Aiyenuro (CEO) and Ebunoluwa Collins (COO) in 2022, Blueroomcare is an online therapy platform that facilitates text, video, or voice chat-based sessions, connecting users with licensed therapists and mental health professionals.
The platform offers a range of mental health services, including grief counselling, group therapy, trauma-focused therapy, addiction recovery, family-based therapy, stress and anxiety management, relationship therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry. These services are grouped into individual therapy, group therapy, and wellness programmes, all covered by insurance.
The company, which aimed to launch its teen and adolescent therapy services in 2023, is still in the pilot phase.
“We’ve conducted a few teen therapy sessions; these are typically an extension of couples therapy,” Aiyenuro says.
Blueroomcare is designed to make accessing care easy, helping users overcome barriers like cost, stigma, and accessibility. It also connects individuals suffering from mental illnesses with dedicated therapists who are available for one-on-one, on-demand sessions.
“Clients can connect with therapists to address their psychological and emotional needs through therapy plans starting at a weekly rate of ₦4,160 ($2.71). We support businesses through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering services ranging from psychosocial support, and wellness clinics to mental health screenings for teams,” Collins says.
While Blueroomcare competes with various healthtech firms such as MyTherapistng and Akoma Health, its CEO highlighted a competitive advantage: the company primarily serves insurance members, unlike competitors that target direct-to-consumer markets. He stressed that while the latter approach is viable, it is largely unsustainable in the long term.
Per the healthtech, its innovative approach to delivering mental health care has attracted thousands of users in Nigeria. It also claims to be Africa's largest insurance-covered therapy service, with over 2 million Africans covered. It partners with several HMOs, including Reliance, AXA, Leadway, and Tangerine.
The platform integrates advanced algorithms with personalised support from licensed mental health professionals, offering users a comprehensive and customised mental health experience.
Interestingly, Aiyenuro mentioned that Blueroomcare is supported by global organisations, which they can leverage for expansion opportunities.
With the recent funding, Blueroomcare plans to enhance its platform's capabilities, introduce new features, and expand its reach to a broader audience. It intends to initiate pilot services in Eastern and Southern Africa and is currently in advanced discussions with several organisations.
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