Berlin-based clare&me raises €1 million for its AI-based mental health companion
Summary
The round was led by Munich HealthTech Fund YZR, global early-stage venture capitalist Antler also participated alongside business angels including the founder of Clue, Hans Rassauf. On a mission to break the taboo around the topic of mental health and democratise access to support, clare&me was founded in 2021 in Berlin by Emilia Theye and Celina Messner, who have since been joined by Xaver Ebner as a technical co-founder. Clare&me was developed to help the millions of people who do not have access to such help or are reluctant to seek it – an artificial intelligence that engages in verbal conversations with users via smartphone and conveys clinically proven approaches to behavioural therapy. Founder Celina Messner said: “Maintaining and promoting mental health of individuals is one of the greatest current challenges society faces. We want to proactively contribute to closing the gap between the need for and the supply of mental health support, which we can only achieve together – with stakeholders in the healthcare system, politicians, companies and developers of innovative technology.” Clare&me is designed to feel human and is intended to counteract the significant bottlenecks in treatment capacity – offering psychological support for everyone, regardless of location and time.