A new men’s wellbeing platform has successfully secured £5 million in seed funding. This significant investment promises to revolutionise the way men approach their health.
The funding will help establish a website where men can access products, services, and content designed to empower them to tackle issues head-on.
Introduction
A new men’s wellbeing platform has successfully secured £5 million in seed funding. This significant investment promises to revolutionise the way men approach their health.
The funding will help establish a website where men can access products, services, and content designed to empower them to tackle issues head-on.
Details of the Funding
The funding round was facilitated by leading venture capitalists Felix Capital in the UK, Germany-based Cherry Ventures, and Cassius Capital from the US. This strategic investment demonstrates widespread confidence in the platform’s potential.
Manual aims to address a critical gap, with nearly 90 per cent of men reportedly not seeking help unless they face severe problems, according to the National Pharmacy Association.
Co-Founders and Their Vision
The company was co-founded by George Paillis, a marketing expert pivotal in the rapid growth of Transferwise and Deliveroo, and Michalis Gkontas, a serial entrepreneur who successfully built and exited Forky to Vivartia in 2018.
“From personal experience we had both been deep in the startup world for a while, and though it was an incredibly rewarding journey, the level of intensity and hard work required meant we were not looking after our wellbeing,” said Paillis.
Mission and Objectives
Manual is designed to help men take better care of their health and to resonate with the modern man. Its mission is to support a new, positive direction for modern masculinity.
Paillis added, “From just saying ‘everything is okay’ and cracking on with life when we’re busy, to the information overload we experience when we ask Google, there are many reasons we don’t help ourselves sooner.”
The two friends created a direct-to-consumer brand aiming to positively impact customers, drawing upon their passions and experiences.
Key Team Members
The team includes significant hires such as Dr. Earim Chaudry, former Clinical Lead at Ada Health, who joins as medical director, and Daniel Sauva, former head of creative for Transferwise, who takes the role of head of brand.
These appointments are intended to bring a high level of medical and creative expertise to the platform, ensuring that its offerings are both scientifically sound and appealing to its target audience.
Focus Areas at Launch
The platform will initially concentrate on addressing erectile dysfunction (ED) and hair loss, issues that significantly impact men’s lives. Approximately 40 per cent of men are affected by ED by the age of 40, while men have a 20 per cent chance of hair loss in their 20s and a 30 per cent chance in their 30s.
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, the team plans to expand its scope to include solutions and knowledge on a wide range of topics, from sexual health to skin care and overall wellbeing.
Content created by experts and medical professionals will provide users with step-by-step guides, accessible information, statistics, knowledge of side effects, and alternative solutions to their problems.
Conclusion
The £5 million seed funding for Manual marks a promising start for a much-needed platform focusing on men’s wellbeing.
By providing expert-backed content and services, the platform aims to fill a critical gap in men’s health care.
The £5 million seed funding for Manual marks a promising start for a much-needed platform focusing on men’s wellbeing.
By providing expert-backed content and services, the platform aims to fill a critical gap in men’s health care.