The Boundless Success of Talkiatry Reflects the Demand for Wellness Innovations
By Relevance Ventures
At Relevance Ventures, our investment thesis is shaped by the challenges experienced by marginalized communities, including limited access to quality healthcare services. Our dedication to community and environmental impact is essential to our identity as investors and advocates for change. With this approach guiding us, we focus on health and wellness issues affecting communities, recognizing their importance in fostering strong societies.
Our commitment to fostering impactful change through strategic investments is exemplified by our investments with companies like Talkiatry. Talkiatry stands at the forefront of innovation in virtual mental health care, boasting a network of over 300 psychiatrists and facilitating over 1 million patient visits since its 2020 launch. We have witnessed both the extraordinary demand for expanded access to mental health resources, and the potential for innovative companies to help solve this challenge.
Bryan Hunt, Relevance GP, describes his motivation for investing in the company:
“I’ve seen the struggles of behavioral health with family members myself - finding access to quality professionals is an issue for millions of people. So, working with Robert [Krayn] as a friend and now trying to help him bring this solution coast to coast, it’s been important to me personally”.
Talkiatry’s growth not only reflects our investment strategy's focus on delivering financial returns but also underscores our dedication to advancing preventive healthcare solutions and expanding access to essential, high-quality services.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), about half of adults in the U.S. struggle to afford healthcare. This issue oftenaffects younger adults with lower incomes, individuals in poor health, and those who are not insured, showing the need for solutions that focus on affordability and accessibility for everyone.
At Relevance, we know the impact that affordable healthcare has on individuals and communities; that's why our investment philosophy emphasizes both profit-seeking motives, and efforts to address systemic issues. By investing in companies that offer affordable healthcare solutions, advocate for preventive care, and focus on community well-being, we're not just generating returns for our investors—we're creating change that benefits society.
As the co-founder and Managing Partner at Relevance, Cameron Newton is one of the driving forces, along with his brother Dean, behind our mission to redefine wellness investing. With over two decades of experience in finance, Cameron brings a new perspective to capturing the potential of the wellness sectors. From his roles in derivatives trading to his leadership in high-yield industries research, Cameron's journey represents a commitment to innovation and impact.
Cameron's commitment to driving positive change is shown in his groundbreaking work, such as spearheading the nation's first Indigenous-led venture fund.
Talkiatry's cofounders: Robert Krayn (CEO), and Dr. Georgia Gaveras (Chief Medical OfficerClick here to enter text.)
In a time where access to mental health support is more critical than ever, the hurdles to care can be discouraging. Many people find themselves unable to find care that is covered by their health insurance. Unlike many other providers, Talkiatry offers virtual therapy that is covered by a variety of insurance plans, breaking down financial challenges and ensuring that individuals can access the support they need without added stress.
“Talkiatry demonstrates how wellness companies can open entire new segments for markets. As the nation continues to age, there's going to be a greater focus on longevity and wanting to spend more time with family, as well as wellness,health, and promoting your own personal responsibility. And that path is just a tremendous growth driver for the entire industry going forward,” Cameron explains.
In thinking about the future of the wellness industry, Cameron highlights the growing trend of people taking control of their health and well-being. He emphasizes the shift towards self-care and personal responsibility, particularly highlighted by the lessons people learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift presents opportunities for innovation and growth within the wellness sector.
“The rise of telehealth during the pandemic was a boon to patients who needed care. It also opened new care possibilities to those who felt stigmatized by or reluctant to seek mental health services. For many Americans, telehealth is also their only viable path to treatment,” said Dr. Georgia Gaveras, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Talkiatry, to Healthcare IT News.
Relevance’s passion for investing in wellness is proof of our belief in the power of business to drive change. Through our investment strategies in preventive care, affordable healthcare, and community well-being, we're not only building wealth—we're investing in the future.