Participated · Seed · Apr 2023

Sensate developed a patented hardware relaxation device paired with a subscription app that uses infrasonic therapy to activate the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and recover from daily stresses. The product combines a physical device and software to deliver relaxation sessions aimed at reducing stress via nervous-system modulation. Sensate is sold direct via getsensate.com and through retailers including Harrods, Selfridges and Amazon. Led by CEO Anna Gudmundson, the company intends to use new financing to expand operations, grow its user base, and extend its business reach. The company raised seed funding in March 2023 to support those expansion plans.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2022

Hey Jane is a telemedicine startup that provides virtual abortion consultations and mails medication abortion drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol) to patients. Founded in 2021, the company connects patients with healthcare providers online and fulfills medication abortions via mail delivery. Since launching in the spring of last year it has served nearly 20,000 patients, its patient base grew 200% in the last year, and it has doubled the size of its clinical team. Hey Jane has expanded beyond its initial three-state footprint to operate in multiple additional states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington. Financially, the startup has raised $9.7 million to date, including a recent $6.1 million Series A. Going forward it plans to increase public awareness of medication abortion and broaden access to reproductive care via telemedicine and medication delivery. Hey Jane operates a remote-first telemedicine clinic that offers a $249 treatment including screening by a medical doctor, FDA-approved medication prescribed and shipped overnight, follow-up virtual visits, chat access to a doctor, and frequent text check-ins. The company does not yet accept insurance but offers financial assistance through nonprofit partner Reprocare, which can subsidize up to $110 of the cost so patients may pay as little as $139. Hey Jane is a seven-person team seeing 250% quarterly growth in patient volume and says its service areas now cover up to 34% of all U.S. abortions performed annually. The startup has launched across California and also operates in New York and Washington, and the team expects to be in 10 states by year-end with a goal of offering treatment in all 50 states in coming years. Hey Jane is partnering with the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health research group at UCSF to expand evidence supporting telemedicine abortion and is monitoring state-by-state telemedicine and abortion regulations.

Participated · Equity · Aug 2021

Meetcaregivers operates a marketplace and matching technology that connects seniors and their families with caregivers (HHA, CNA, LPN) based on care needs, interests, personality, schedule and other criteria. The company reports a network of more than 10,000 caregivers. It offers care products and licenses its matching technology tools nationwide. Meetcaregivers plans to use new funding to improve its technology and care-portal, scale operations across New England, and penetrate new markets. The company is expanding its caregiver network in MA, CT, RI, NY and NH. It is led by Founder & CEO Florence Furaha and has added new members to its board and advisory team.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2021

TOP the organic project is a women-owned period-product company that makes 100% certified organic-cotton tampons and pads, marketed as hypoallergenic and free from synthetics, toxins, pesticides, dyes and fragrances. Its tampons use a trademarked Planticator®, a plant-based applicator designed to replace traditional plastic applicators. The brand operates a give-back model to address period poverty, having donated nearly 750,000 period products, and supports food banks and school districts through philanthropic partnerships. Since founding in 2018, TOP has expanded into about 1,500 retailers nationwide, including Sprouts, HEB, Wegmans and Target.com, and has reported triple-digit year-over-year growth. With the newly announced $2 million seed extension (part of $3 million raised since founding), the company plans to expand retail presence and product offerings, bolster marketing, and grow its team. TOP has also launched partnerships with Imperfect Foods and rolled out a First Period Gift Box for teens and parents to drive education and accessibility.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2020

Attn: Grace sells incontinence care products that replace petroleum with renewable, plant-based materials and are made without fragrance, dyes, chlorine, BPA, latex, VOCs, phthalates and parabens. The company is a Certified B Corporation founded by Mia Abbruzzese and Alexandra Fennell. It recently launched in nearly 1,600 Walmart Supercenters nationwide and on Walmart.com and Target.com. Attn: Grace emphasizes reduced pollution and minimized environmental impact through its manufacturing and materials choices. The company intends to use new funding to further expand its distribution network and reach a wider audience of women seeking skin-safe, more eco-friendly incontinence care. The article does not disclose additional operating metrics or revenue figures. Attn:Grace sells pads, briefs, liners and wipes aimed at women experiencing bladder leakage, with products available as standalone SKUs and through a subscription delivery service. The brand emphasizes more elegant packaging and a consumer-facing DTC approach to reduce stigma and make products easier for older users and caregivers to obtain. Products are formulated without parabens, latex or synthetic fragrances, and the company says top sheets and back sheets are made from natural fibers derived from sugarcane waste; packaging uses wood fibers from FSC‑certified forests. The company was founded by Mia Abbruzzese and Alex Fennell; Abbruzzese previously built and sold a kids’ shoe brand, Morgan & Milo. The two founders are currently the only full‑time employees but have built a network of consultants, including designer Adam Larson. Attn:Grace faces competition from large incumbents like Kimberly‑Clark but plans to build community, leverage social channels and target caregivers as part of its growth strategy.