In a groundbreaking move for the mental health industry, Brightside Health, a leading provider of virtual mental health care, has successfully raised $33 million in Series C funding. This new financial injection is poised to enable Brightside Health to expand its reach and continue innovating in the digital mental health space. The round was led by venture firm S32 and included participation from Kennedy Lewis, Time BioVentures, Redwood Pacific, ACME, Mousse Partners, and Triventures. With this investment, Brightside has now raised a total of over $108 million since its inception, reinforcing its position as a leader in the rapidly evolving digital health sector.
A Track Record of Success and Strategic Growth
This latest funding round comes roughly two years after Brightside’s $50 million Series B funding round, which was also led by prominent investors ACME Capital and Mousse Partners. With each subsequent round, Brightside Health has continued to expand its capabilities, gaining significant traction in the digital health market. The Series C round marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, bringing it closer to its goals of expanding its services to wider audiences and leveraging new technologies to improve mental health outcomes.
One of the key features of this funding round is the addition of Trip Hofer to Brightside Health’s board of directors. Hofer, a former executive at Optum, brings a wealth of healthcare management expertise that will be invaluable as the company continues to scale its operations. His extensive experience will help guide Brightside’s strategic vision and ensure its offerings align with the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers alike.
Brad Kittredge, co-founder and CEO of Brightside Health, shared his excitement about the funding and what it means for the company’s future. “These major steps forward enable us to accelerate our expansion into Medicare, Medicaid, and beyond, while deepening our advantage with technology and AI to deliver the best outcomes in the industry,” Kittredge said. “This investment aligns with our continued focus on capital-efficient enterprise value creation, putting us on a comfortable path to profitability while further advancing our goals and mission.”
The latest funding will primarily be used to drive Brightside’s expansion into new markets, including underserved populations covered by Medicare and Medicaid. The company plans to further leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to enhance patient care and improve the overall efficiency of its platform. This strategic focus will also help Brightside Health maintain its commitment to providing capital-efficient services while improving accessibility to virtual mental health care.
Offering Comprehensive Virtual Mental Health Care
One of the main factors driving Brightside Health’s success is its comprehensive approach to virtual mental health care. Brightside provides treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, sleep troubles, burnout, stress, and trauma. The company uses a combination of therapy and psychiatry services to address these issues, providing a holistic approach to mental wellness. If necessary, Brightside providers are also authorized to prescribe medication, offering a seamless experience for patients who require a combination of therapeutic and pharmaceutical interventions.
In addition to therapy and psychiatry, Brightside offers a variety of digital tools to enhance the patient experience. These tools include 1:1 video sessions, asynchronous messaging, interactive lessons, and proactive progress tracking, which collectively allow for a personalized and flexible approach to virtual mental health care. Brightside is designed to make therapy more accessible and engaging, ensuring that patients feel supported and empowered throughout their mental health journey.
What truly sets Brightside apart from other digital health providers is its ability to treat a wide spectrum of depression and anxiety, from mild to severe cases. This level of versatility is particularly important in the virtual health space, where many platforms focus on less complex mental health conditions. Brightside also provides crisis care management for patients at elevated suicide risk, an essential service that helps ensure patients in crisis receive the urgent care they need.
The company offers flexible payment options, including the ability to use insurance to cover the costs of treatment. Alternatively, patients can pay an out-of-pocket monthly fee for services. The pricing structure is as follows: $349 per month for combined psychiatry and therapy services, $95 per month for psychiatry-only services, and $299 per month for therapy-only services. While crisis care and psychiatry services are only available through insurance, the company’s flexibility in payment options makes its services more accessible to a broader range of individuals.
Expanding Access to Underserved Populations with Virtual Mental Health Care
A significant part of Brightside Health’s future growth strategy is its expansion into Medicare and Medicaid. In October 2024, the company announced that it would begin offering its services to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. This move will provide critical access to virtual mental health care services for millions of individuals who may otherwise face barriers to traditional in-person care, especially in rural or underserved areas.
The expansion into government-sponsored healthcare programs is an important milestone for Brightside, as it enables the company to serve a larger and more diverse group of people. By tapping into these markets, Brightside is not only broadening its patient base but also helping to address the growing mental health crisis in the U.S. In particular, the company’s ability to serve people with chronic conditions or low income through Medicare and Medicaid is expected to have a meaningful impact on reducing health disparities.
Dr. Mike Pellini, general partner at S32, spoke about the company’s potential in this area, stating, “The company is well-positioned to expand their offerings with Medicare, Medicaid, and other underserved populations, while partnering with payers and providers to deliver measurably better outcomes.” This expansion aligns with Brightside’s mission to ensure that high-quality mental health care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation.
A Shifting Landscape for Digital Health Investment
Although the digital health investment landscape has faced challenges in recent years, Brightside’s ability to secure significant funding underscores the growing demand for digital mental health solutions. In 2023, investors poured $10.7 billion into digital health ventures, a notable decline from the $29.2 billion invested in 2021. However, mental health tech companies like Brightside have continued to secure capital due to the increasing recognition of mental health’s importance and the demand for scalable, accessible care solutions.
Several other digital behavioral health companies have raised substantial capital in recent months, indicating that there is still strong interest in innovative solutions for mental health care. In March 2025, digital mental health platform Tava raised $20 million, hybrid substance use disorder provider Eleanor raised $22 million in February, and youth mental health provider Blackbird Health raised $17 million. These companies, along with Brightside, are contributing to a shift in the way mental health services are delivered, making treatment more accessible, flexible, and efficient than ever before.
Looking Ahead: Brightside’s Role in the Future of Virtual Mental Health Care
With its recent funding and continued innovation, Brightside Health is well-positioned to become a leading force in the mental health care industry. The company’s focus on leveraging technology and AI to enhance patient outcomes, its expansion into underserved populations, and its commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible virtual mental health care make it a standout player in the field.
As mental health continues to be a critical concern for millions of people, digital health companies like Brightside are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring that individuals have the support they need. Brightside’s ability to combine technology, personalized care, and accessibility will likely pave the way for future innovation in the virtual mental health care space, making it easier than ever for individuals to access the care they deserve.
The future of mental health care is digital, and Brightside Health is leading the charge to make mental health services more accessible, comprehensive, and effective for people across the nation. With the backing of investors, strategic partnerships, and a focus on expanding its reach, Brightside is poised to help millions of people take charge of their mental health in a way that is convenient, affordable, and effective.
