Led · Seed · Oct 2021

Needed offers a system of science-backed perinatal nutritional supplements and educational content targeting egg and sperm quality, lactation, stress, sleep, and hydration. Since launching in 2021, the company has rapidly expanded its product offering to become what it calls the most complete perinatal nutrition system on the market. More than 4,000 women’s health experts recommend Needed, and its products and content are built around the latest research and clinical insights. The recent funding will accelerate product innovation, content creation, and the launch of Needed Labs, the company’s clinical insights and research arm, which plans to run a unique study on women’s nutritional status during pregnancy. Needed Labs aims to aggregate clinical insights and develop data to influence standard of care and power product development. Founded in 2017 and based in Los Angeles, Needed is a Certified B‑Corp, a 1% for the Planet member, and Climate Neutral‑Certified. Needed is a perinatal nutrition and education company offering nutrition advice, clinically backed products, and a community of women’s health practitioners and researchers. The company designs supplements validated through clinical research and third-party testing to help women identify and meet perinatal nutrition needs. Needed plans to launch new products targeting stress, sleep, and fertility, and to fund clinical research demonstrating that women’s nutritional needs are undermet during pregnancy. The company also aims to support overall growth and scale its community and product offerings. Needed was co-founded by Julie Sawaya and Ryan Woodbury at the end of 2020 and is based in Los Angeles, CA. The company recently completed a Seed financing round, providing initial capital to execute its plans. Needed PBC develops nature-first, clinically-validated nutritional supplements designed for superior absorption. Its flagship product is a liposomal Omega-3 (DHA and EPA) that leverages liposomes for nutrient protection and absorption and is mild-tasting for daily use. The company pairs supplements with fundamentals-focused nutritional education and a community of learners to help customers identify and meet nutritional gaps. Future product plans target lifecycle needs including fertility, postpartum, and early childhood development. Products are sold direct-to-consumer and through referrals from a community of health and wellness practitioners. Needed is led by co-CEOs and co-founders Julie Sawaya and Ryan Woodbury and is organized as a public-benefit corporation in Los Angeles.