PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brightline, the category leader in technology-enabled pediatric behavioral health care, today announced it has expanded its telehealth services to children and families across the State of California, with additional states coming soon. The company also announced it’s raised a $20 million Series A funding round led by Threshold Ventures and previous investor Oak HC/FT. Leading healthcare organizations Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Boston Children’s Hospital joined the round, as well as SemperVirens VC, Rock Health, and City Light Capital.
The round follows exciting news earlier this summer about Brightline’s decision to launch four months ahead of schedule to bring urgently needed telehealth services (including behavior therapy, psychiatry, speech-language therapy, coaching support, and more) to families feeling the overwhelming impact of a global pandemic on their kids.
Brightline plans to use the funds primarily to enhance its technology and innovations, expand telehealth capabilities and treatment programs, and grow the team to support children and families across the country.
“We need behavioral health and developmental support for kids and their families more than ever,” said Naomi Allen, Brightline CEO and co-founder. “Bringing strong new investors and strategic partners into the Brightline family allows us to continue innovating on our breakthrough model of integrated clinical teams, coaching support for parents, and care through telehealth and our mobile app for families when they need it most. We’re thrilled to have an exceptional Series A investment to continue building a brighter future for families.”
Emily Melton, co-founder and managing partner at Threshold Ventures, has joined Brightline’s board of directors. She says her decision to invest in Brightline came from the enormous opportunity to transform an area of care that has long needed innovation, and the right team and vision to bring this to reality.
“We have seen increased utilization and investment in behavioral health solutions recently, but the pediatric behavioral health market has been woefully overlooked. The need for a comprehensive solution-based approach was substantial before the pandemic and has only been exacerbated by the current crisis,” said Melton. “Brightline's cross-disciplinary team is uniquely capable of delivering science-backed behavioral and mental health care for children leveraging virtual solutions that are equally accessible and effective. Brightline has the right solution for this unique time—recognizing that mental health is a family affair.”
Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Jeff Semenchuk, Chief Innovation Officer at Blue Shield of California, are joining as board observers.
“Access to mental health care is a critical issue for families in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Dreyfus. “We’re committed to finding innovative ways to expand our members’ access to these vital services, and we see a great deal of potential in Brightline’s technology-driven, family-focused approach to supporting children and adolescents.”
Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California, says that Brightline’s innovative, family-focused approach led them to invest in the company.
“Behavioral health, particularly for children, is not yet worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable,” Markovich said. “We need innovative solutions in this field, and we believe Brightline’s family-focused, high-tech and high touch model will deliver care that meets this standard in California and beyond.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain health systems and take a psychological toll on children and families across the country. The need for an innovative, virtual solution to address the behavioral health needs of children and provide support for families is more urgent than ever,” said Annie Lamont, co-founder & managing partner of Oak HC/FT. “We’re proud to continue backing Naomi, Giovanni and the entire team at Brightline in their mission to bring extraordinary behavioral health care to kids at home.”
Brightline’s treatment programs are grounded in proven clinical methods and designed to track progress and move children forward in their care. Their virtual behavioral health services available now include:
● Behavior therapy with child and adolescent psychologists and clinical social workers
● Psychiatry evaluation and medication support, in combination with therapy
● Speech-language therapy
● Coaching support and training for parents
● Free clinician-led classes for parents
● Digital treatment programs families can use between appointments
● Mobile app to make it all easier
About Brightline
Founded in 2019, Brightline is reinventing behavioral health care for children and families. Brightline delivers integrated care through innovative technology, virtual behavioral health services, and a collaborative care team focused on supporting children across developmental stages and their families. Started by leading digital health entrepreneurs Naomi Allen and Giovanni Colella, Brightline is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.
Learn more at hellobrightline.com