Holly Health Secures £650K Funding for Innovative Healthcare Solutions
Holly Health, a revolutionary digital health coaching platform, has recently secured a significant funding round totalling £650,000. This joint equity and grant funding, including a substantial contribution from Innovate UK, highlights the growing recognition and support for innovative solutions addressing complex healthcare challenges. The app, developed by a team of psychology and healthcare professionals, specifically targets individuals facing multimorbidity — the concurrent presence of multiple chronic health conditions.
Multimorbidity is a pressing issue affecting more than a quarter of adults in the UK, with numbers steadily increasing. The strain this places on healthcare resources, particularly within the NHS, is substantial. Holly Health aims to alleviate this burden by providing personalised coaching and support directly to users in the comfort of their homes. Through strategic partnerships with over 150 GPs, the app delivers tailored guidance to help individuals manage the challenges posed by their various health conditions.
At the core of Holly Health’s approach is its innovative use of technology, particularly its proprietary AI chatbot. This intelligent system serves as a virtual coach, offering guidance on lifestyle modifications to mitigate the impact of chronic conditions. Grace Gimson, co-founder and CEO of Holly Health, emphasises the company’s commitment to innovation and its mission to address significant healthcare challenges. She notes, “At Holly Health, we have supported over 30,000 people so far and are committed to innovating to solve our biggest human and healthcare challenges.”
The funding secured by Holly Health represents a significant milestone in its journey. In addition to the support from Innovate UK, strategic investments from entities like Modality Partnership, the Innovation SuperNetwork, and Plug and Play Ventures underscore the shared commitment to tackling the complex issue of multimorbidity. Vincent Sai, Group CEO and Partner at Modality, expresses enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We believe Holly Health has great potential to make a meaningful difference in the UK and beyond.”
Looking ahead, Holly Health plans to leverage this funding to further enhance its AI coaching service, with a particular focus on addressing hypertension and mental health challenges. By empowering individuals to make positive lifestyle changes, the app aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes for millions of people. The company’s dedication to research and innovation is evident in its collaboration with NHS clinicians and the public to co-design specialised services targeting hypertension and mental health.
One of the key innovations in Holly Health’s pipeline is the integration of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) into its platform. This real-time data analysis tool will provide valuable insights into users’ mood, energy levels, and blood pressure, enabling more personalised and timely support. Dr. Daniela Beivide, Chief Science Officer at Holly Health, explains, “The EMA system will help us to build the foundation of a cutting-edge nudging engine that provides the right type of coaching message to individuals, at the right time.”
As Holly Health embarks on its ambitious expansion plans, forging new partnerships and broadening its services, the potential impact on healthcare delivery is profound. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, the company is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of healthcare, both in the UK and beyond. With a mission to support five million people in achieving tangible health improvements over the next five years, Holly Health represents a beacon of hope for individuals living with chronic conditions.