Health tech startup Visible has raised $1m (£845,000) in pre-seed funding to tackle long Covid and other chronic conditions using wearable technology.
The London-based company has developed an app to track symptoms of chronic conditions like long covid. Users can then receive medical support via the app. The startup also offers a paid premium service that includes wearable tracking tech.
Harry Leeming, who has experienced long Covid, co-founded Visible because of the lack of attention being given to those suffering from the condition. Leeming told UKTN that there was a “lack of a recognised biomarker for these conditions” which means long-term chronic illnesses often “go undiagnosed”.
“Long Covid has turned my life upside down. Millions, like me, have still not recovered from Covid and are struggling every day,” Leeming said.
“Patients like myself have little option but to build the disease management tools that are badly needed – tools specifically designed for people living with long Covid, but also those with similarly dismissed chronic conditions.”
The pre-seed funding came from Octopus Ventures, along with Calm/Storm and Hustle Fund. Angel investors, including senior operators at Monzo and Moneybox, along with the founder of Farewill, also contributed to the round.
“Current tracking platforms are all designed for athletes – they incentivise workouts and exercise, not rest and pacing. However, the adoption of wearables amongst people living with chronic illness has grown exponentially over the last three years,” said Kirsten Connell from Octopus Ventures.
The app is currently focused on treating long covid and chronic fatigue, however, Leeming told UKTN the company would expand to other “invisible illnesses”.