Peer Help Platform Fello Secures $10.4M To Fight Loneliness Epidemic


Fello, a peer assist platform, introduced Tuesday that it has raised $10.4 million to this point. The funding will assist additional construct out its product that helps individuals combating loneliness.

The Chicago-based firm presents an app that connects individuals to Fellos, or those that have lived expertise with challenges like alcohol use, drug use, parenting or relationships. These Fellos endure an utility and background verify course of, in addition to coaching and an evaluation. When shoppers obtain the app, they will fill out a profile that particulars what they’re searching for after which get matched with a Fello or browse an inventory of Fellos. Shoppers can then e book a 15-minute to an hour-long video session with their Fello (one 30-minute session prices $40).

“They get on the decision, after which the Fello is educated in guiding the dialog, lively listening, bringing empathy to the desk, serving to the shopper get to a strong understanding of the problem that they’re going via, and a few subsequent steps that may be actioned in between their check-in now and the subsequent check-in,” stated Alyssa Pollack, co-founder and CEO of the corporate, in an interview. “Some people may simply need to come for one dialog, and a few need to get on sort of a recurring weekly checkpoint with their Fello.”

The $10.4 million increase features a seed funding from Glen Tullman’s 62Ventures, The Capital Manufacturing unit Fellowship Fund, Katalyst Capital and Offline Ventures.

The financing will assist Fello develop into different areas, reminiscent of grief, caregiving, burnout and profession transitions, Pollack stated. The corporate can even work on constructing further choices past one-on-one check-ins, like group classes. As well as, whereas Fello at present has a direct-to-consumer enterprise mannequin, it’s exploring working with employers and universities sooner or later. Pollack added that Fello will use the funding to construct out its crew, in addition to market its product. 

The thought for Fello was first created by co-founders Jeff Werring and Pete Kadens, who each struggled discovering assist for dependancy. They later approached Pollack to hitch as CEO and co-founder. All three are additionally Fellos themselves: Werring and Kadens are Fellos for these combating alcohol use, whereas Pollack is a Fello for younger adults with most cancers.

The corporate’s funding comes as about 30% of adults report that they’ve skilled emotions of loneliness at the very least as soon as every week over the past yr, and 10% report feeling lonely every single day, in keeping with a current ballot from the American Psychiatric Affiliation. Fello sees itself “augmenting” conventional remedy providers so as to fight this challenge, Pollack stated. It will possibly assist quite a lot of individuals, reminiscent of those that aren’t able to see a therapist or can’t afford it, in addition to those that want assist between remedy classes. As well as, it may be an off-ramp for individuals who really feel they’re in good condition however nonetheless need somebody to attach with. 

“Loneliness in younger adults has been rising yearly since 1976 … and it doesn’t should be this manner,” she stated. “Individuals don’t should navigate powerful challenges in life alone. Humanity has a lot to supply each other, and we’re excited to place know-how to work to make these connections for individuals.”

Fello isn’t the one startup addressing the loneliness epidemic. One other is Peppermint, which is an internet clubhouse group for adults aged 55 and older that permits them to attach via on-line golf equipment, workshops and collaboration.

Picture: StockFinland, Getty Photos

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *