Inclusive Sexual HealthTech Startup LVNDR Raises £1.5 Million in Seed Funding

 

Inclusive Sexual HealthTech Startup LVNDR Raises £1.5 Million in Seed Funding

Focused on developing sexual health solutions for the LGBTQ+ community, London-based healthcare technology company LVNDR announced in September 2021 that it raised £1.5 million in seed funding from a group of venture capital firms and angel investors.

Modernising healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community

Founded in 2020, the company was borne out of the inequities in the healthcare system for LGBTQ+ people. LVNDR aims to create personalised healthcare solutions tailored for the LGBTQ+ community within the existing landscape of health providers.

By working with clinics, remote testing services, medication delivery offerings, and healthcare practitioners, LVNDR aspires to build relationships and institutional partnerships that can foster an inclusive health ecosystem.

LVNDR is building its app to be a “digital sexual healthcare haven” where users can begin their journey in accessing healthcare services. LGBTQIA+ patients have experienced challenges in receiving proper care out of deep-rooted prejudices within healthcare systems.

For instance, 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people report having faced unequal treatment from healthcare staff, and 24% of trans people say they don’t have the knowledge or information on how to access the health services they need.

Previously named as Troglo, the company was formed by its three queer co-founders Christopher El Badaoui, Joshua Armistead-Wood, and Araxie Boyadjian, each of whom driven by the challenges they personally experienced within sexual healthcare systems.

Seed round in September 2021

LVNDR closed its recent seed funding round approximately worth £1.5 million led by Octopus Ventures, a multi-stage European venture capital firm focusing on health, fintech, deep tech, and consumer and B2B software.

The financing also saw participation from Calm/Store Ventures, Soho Ventures, and angel investors Harry Briggs, Pam Garside, Angelia Muller, and Alistair Murray. It’s worth noting that only less than 1% of venture funding goes to LGBTQ+ founders.

LVNDR intends to deploy the fresh capital into product development and partnerships with UK healthcare providers. The company is also expanding its product, operations, and partnerships teams. 

Online campaigns

Pending the public launch of its app, LVNDR continues to be active in its content strategy, particularly through online campaigns on issues close to its community.

For instance, in light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, LVNDR highlights how sexual minority women are less likely to receive post-cancer treatment than everyone else.

The company has also posted about hate crime awareness, black history month, and sexual positivity.

What’s next for LVNDR

To date, the company has opened its waitlist for interested users and its app for testing.

LVNDR has also established a partnership with Sexual Health London, a sexual health service that provides free and accessible sexual health testing to residents of London, the largest of its kind in Europe.

While LVNDR is starting with sexual health, the company is aiming to eventually provide access to health services across the board.