Salus Secures $4.7 Million in Seed Funding to Expand Access to Mental Health Services

October 20th, 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey
Salus, a trailblazer in personalized preventive mental health care, has successfully secured $4.7 million in seed funding, elevating its total raised funds to over $5.5 million since its inception. The platform, already operational in Turkey, is set for substantial growth, backed by international venture capital firm Northzone, Pitchdrive, and other prominent investors.

Leading the investment was Northzone, joined by 500 Emerging Europe, Pitchdrive, and the corporate venture capital division of İş Bank, Turkey's largest financial group. The round also included increased commitments from existing backers Collective Spark and Wamda Capital, as well as contributions from notable angel investors like Fırat İleri of Hummingbird Ventures, Adam Anders from Anterra Capital, and several others.

Unique in the region, Salus offers a comprehensive, personalized approach to mental health care. It addresses the financial challenges often associated with preventive health services, particularly in mental health, by providing affordable and accessible solutions. Salus' science-based approach is designed to encourage employers to invest in their employees' mental health, showing significant returns on investment and improving overall employee wellness.

Alperen, Co-founder and CEO of Salus, remarked:

“Securing one of the largest seed investments for a Turkish startup, just 16 months after founding and in a tough economic environment, is not only a significant achievement but also a validation of the critical need for and confidence in Salus' vision. With the backing of our outstanding investors and partners, we are poised for rapid advancement.”

Salus is pioneering in the digital health domain, initially focusing on comprehensive mental health services including self-care, meditation, coaching, and therapy. The platform is also exploring extensions into nutrition and physical health, aiming to be the go-to health app in the region, offering an unmatched, user-focused healthcare experience.

Founded by former McKinsey consultants with deep expertise in healthcare, insurance, and digital transformations in the EEMA region, Salus is led by a team from Turkey's leading startups and scale-ups and prides itself on a diverse workforce, with women making up 42% of its employees. Currently serving Turkey, Salus has ambitious plans to broaden its reach across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

The fresh funding will be crucial for enhancing Salus' clinical network, advancing technology and user experience, and boosting B2B business development to strengthen its market position.