Boston-based Uwill, a mental health platform for colleges and students, has announced the acquisition of Virtual Care Group, a fellow student-focused telehealth and wellness support platform based in Los Angeles.
Expanded Reach and Services
Uwill partners with colleges to provide students with on-demand virtual access to licensed therapists and crisis counseling providers. Additionally, students can attend online wellness events via Uwill’s mental health and wellness app. With a presence in 300 institutions across 50 states and 40 countries, Uwill’s acquisition of Virtual Care Group expands its reach to 400 colleges worldwide.
Virtual Care Group offers a matching platform that pairs providers with students, faculty, and staff who need support for their mental and physical health. This platform is currently used in over 100 colleges.
“This acquisition marks a significant achievement for the digital mental health sector within higher education,” said Danny Zusman, founder and CEO of Virtual Care Group. “Through the integration of our extensive nationwide reach with Uwill’s focused technological investments, we aim to enhance the support and resources available to the students, faculty, and staff we are dedicated to serving.”
The Larger Trend
The acquisition aligns with broader trends in the digital mental health sector, particularly within higher education. Uwill has seen significant growth and investment, securing $30 million in Series A funding last year to accelerate its platform expansion.
In 2020, Uwill attracted a $3.25 million investment led by rapper Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC, followed by an angel funding round of $5.2 million in 2021. In June, Uwill partnered with digital mental health company Headspace to enhance its on-demand therapy offerings through Urise, incorporating Headspace’s direct-to-consumer platform.
Mantra Health, another digital mental health startup targeting college students and young adults, raised $22 million in Series A funding in 2022, highlighting the growing investment and innovation in this space.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Virtual Care Group by Uwill marks a significant step in expanding mental health services for college communities. By combining resources and technological advancements, the merged entity aims to provide comprehensive mental and physical health support to students, faculty, and staff across a larger network of institutions.
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