We are excited to announce that NEXTBLUE has invested in Anise Health, a New York-based startup providing culturally and experientially tailored mental health care for Asian Americans. By leveraging AI and data analytics, Anise Health offers personalized treatment to address the unique challenges faced by this underserved population.
Raising $3M in Seed Funding
Anise Health recently raised $3 million in a seed round led by Kicker Ventures, with participation from NEXTBLUE, Authentic Heart, Change Paradox Ventures, Progression Fund, How Women Invest, and Celtic House Asia Partners. Additionally, Anise Health secured funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Tackling Mental Health Disparities in the Asian American Community
Asian Americans represent 7.3% of the U.S. population but are the least likely to seek professional mental health care. This community faces unique barriers, including persistent stigma, nonalignment with Western therapy approaches, and higher risks of early treatment dropout. Alarmingly, suicide is the leading cause of death among young Asian American adults, making solutions like Anise Health crucial.
Anise Health’s Innovative Solution
Anise Health integrates teletherapy, coaching, and digital content into a unified platform, addressing specific cultural stressors experienced by Asian Americans. Their clinically validated care model uses AI and past patient data to recommend personalized treatments even before the first session. The company also provides training to healthcare professionals to deliver culturally competent care.
Since its launch in 2023, Anise Health has achieved:
- Over 40% of users accessing therapy for the first time.
- A 97% completion rate for the first four sessions.
- A 92% improvement rate in symptoms within 12 weeks.
These results have led to partnerships with insurers across five states, enabling over 3 million Asian Americans to access services through insurance coverage.
Expanding Reach through Digital Media
In addition, Anise Health has partnered with NextShark, a leading digital media platform for Asian Americans with 2–4 million monthly readers, to broaden its reach and impact.
The funds raised will be used to expand clinical programs, develop new partnerships with insurers, and scale distribution channels like the NextShark collaboration.
Why NEXTBLUE Invested
Anise Health’s culturally attuned, AI-powered approach aligns with NEXTBLUE’s commitment to inclusive healthcare. The startup’s ability to deliver personalized care while addressing unmet market needs and achieving significant clinical outcomes impressed us. Their innovative use of AI to refine treatments as data accumulates further enhances their competitive edge.
Additionally, their partnerships with ROI-focused insurers and digital media platforms demonstrate a scalable strategy for growth. Anise Health’s mission to improve access to culturally relevant care resonates deeply with NEXTBLUE’s vision of empowering underserved communities.
We are proud to support Anise Health in its journey to transform mental health care for Asian Americans and look forward to its continued success.
