Mental health in the workplace has become an urgent issue, with many employees experiencing anxiety and stress caused by professional environments. Kyan Health, a Zurich-based start-up, is addressing this challenge head-on by creating tools and strategies to foster healthier workplace cultures.
The Origins of Kyan Health
The idea for Kyan Health emerged from personal experience. Co-founder Vlad Gheorghiu struggled with anxiety and panic attacks at work, ultimately receiving support through personal connections. This experience highlighted to Gheorghiu the lack of adequate mental health resources in most workplaces.
In 2021, Gheorghiu, along with co-founders Konstantin Struck and Ignacio Leonhardt, launched Kyan Health. The start-up has since secured $18.5 million in funding, including a recent $12.7 million Series A round.
“Many organizations talk about mental health and wellbeing, but few address the root causes of workplace stress,” Gheorghiu explains. “We’ve successfully improved physical health in workplaces but haven’t yet tackled mental health with the same commitment.”
Kyan Health’s Innovative Approach
Kyan Health leverages technology to identify workplace stressors and offer solutions. Its process begins with employees completing confidential questionnaires that gauge stress levels, anxieties, and overall satisfaction. This data serves two purposes:
Individual Support: Employees are guided toward appropriate mental health resources.
Organizational Insights: The data helps pinpoint stress-inducing factors, such as problematic policies, cultural issues, or managerial practices.
Using these insights, Kyan Health offers actionable recommendations and tailored solutions, including training programs, to help organizations mitigate risks.
“Our goal is to make mental health measurable and give organizations the tools to act before crises occur,” says Gheorghiu.
Early Success Stories
Kyan Health’s approach has already attracted notable clients like Hitachi Energy, Deutsche Börse Group, and Hilti, along with smaller, high-growth companies such as On and Board International.
Case Studies:
- On (Swiss Sportswear Company): Kyan Health’s program helped reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, delivering a return on investment (ROI) of 11.6% annually over two years—equivalent to $2.9 million in value. Half of On’s 2,500 employees have engaged with the program.
- Hitachi Energy: With 40,000 employees, Hitachi Energy praised Kyan Health for simultaneously addressing individual and organizational mental health challenges.
The Business Model
Kyan Health operates on a subscription basis, providing ongoing access to its platform and services. Gheorghiu emphasizes the long-term financial benefits, citing increased productivity and improved staff retention as key outcomes for participating companies.
Funding and Future Plans
The Series A funding round, led by Swisscom Ventures and supported by other notable investors, will enable Kyan Health to enhance its predictive analytics capabilities. This development will allow the company to identify potential mental health risks earlier and offer preventative solutions.
“Kyan Health is transforming how businesses support mental health and well-being,” says Victoria Lietha, investment director at Swisscom Ventures.
A Transformative Vision
Kyan Health’s mission goes beyond immediate support for employees in distress. By addressing root causes and promoting proactive solutions, the company is redefining mental health care in the workplace.
As businesses increasingly recognize the link between employee well-being and organizational success, Kyan Health is well-positioned to lead this essential shift toward healthier workplaces.
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