New York City-based telepsychiatry startup Talkiatry Management Services announced on Thursday the closing of $37 million in telepsychiatry startup funding, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s rapid growth and national expansion plans. This round completes their Series A financing, including an additional $17 million investment from Left Lane Capital, a notable New York City-based venture capital firm known for backing high-growth technology companies.
A Commitment to Quality and Employment
Founded in 2019 by Robert Krayn, CEO and co-founder, and Dr. Georgia Gaveras, Chief Medical Officer, Talkiatry was launched with a clear mission: to provide accessible, high-quality psychiatric care remotely while maintaining strong clinical standards. Unlike many telehealth companies that rely heavily on independent contractors for episodic care, Talkiatry has made a point of employing its clinicians as W-2 employees. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to responsible and consistent care delivery and supports long-term relationships between providers and patients.
“Talkiatry has been successful in demonstrating our value and commitment to our insurance partners who are rewarding our approach of high-quality and responsible healthcare with national insurance contracts that cover over 200 million lives,” Krayn said in a recent news release. “Our team is focused on executing on the needs of our psychiatrists and insurance partners.”
Rapid Growth Since Launch
The company’s journey began in earnest in April 2020 when it saw its first patient — a timely launch as the COVID-19 pandemic sharply increased demand for accessible mental health care. Since then, Talkiatry has experienced tremendous growth. From an initial team of five psychiatrists, the company now employs approximately 190 clinicians nationwide, including about 140 psychiatrists. This growth has been fueled by the company’s unique model, a focus on quality, and the acute shortage of psychiatrists across the United States.
Addressing the Psychiatrist Shortage
In fact, the U.S. is currently grappling with a steep supply-demand imbalance for psychiatrists — among the most highly trained yet in-demand providers in behavioral health. Talkiatry’s success in attracting clinicians is reflected in the statistic that 83% of psychiatrists in their pipeline have actively applied to join the company, highlighting its appeal as an employer and its strong reputation in the mental health community.
Jason Fiedler, partner at Left Lane Capital, praised Talkiatry’s approach, stating, “Talkiatry has quietly executed on provider acquisition better than any other player in the mental health space. We’re excited to proactively double down on our investment given how well Talkiatry has performed and the reputation they are building.”
Leadership to Support National Expansion
Talkiatry’s growth strategy extends beyond simply adding providers. The company recently announced the hire of Samson Walla as its new vice president of operations. Walla joins Talkiatry from Uber Technologies Inc., where he led mid-Atlantic rides operations. At Talkiatry, he will play a crucial role in scaling the company’s operations nationally and expanding its business lines.
“As Talkiatry experiences hyper-growth and rapid national expansion, maintaining high-quality standards is our biggest priority,” said Dr. Gaveras. “Samson’s exceptional track record in a high growth and complex industry is a great complement to our team’s deep healthcare experience and timed perfectly with this next phase of our evolution.”
The Impact of Telepsychiatry Startup Funding
This latest round of telepsychiatry startup funding will be instrumental in advancing Talkiatry’s mission to close the gap in psychiatric care access by expanding its reach across the country. Telepsychiatry services have become a vital component of mental health care, especially in rural and underserved communities where psychiatric providers are scarce. By combining technology with a strong clinical model and employee-based staffing, Talkiatry positions itself as a leader in delivering consistent, quality mental health care at scale.
The surge of telepsychiatry startup funding reflects broader industry trends, as mental health needs grow nationwide. The pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, and policymakers as well as insurance companies are increasingly recognizing the value of remote care solutions. Talkiatry’s existing national insurance contracts, which cover over 200 million lives, provide a robust foundation for scaling these services.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Talkiatry aims to leverage this new capital infusion not only to increase provider capacity and geographic reach but also to enhance its clinical technology platform, improve patient experience, and innovate around new service lines tailored to diverse patient needs. This vision is fueled by the confidence inspired by this significant telepsychiatry startup funding milestone.
With a proven operational model, strong leadership, and fresh capital, Talkiatry Management Services is well-positioned to be a driving force in transforming how psychiatric care is delivered in the United States — making mental health support more accessible, consistent, and effective for millions of people nationwide.
This new wave of telepsychiatry startup funding demonstrates the growing investor confidence in telepsychiatry as a scalable solution to one of the most urgent challenges in healthcare today: the shortage of psychiatric providers and access barriers for patients.
As the company embarks on this next phase of expansion, the infusion of telepsychiatry startup funding will enable Talkiatry to hire more clinicians, enhance operational capabilities, and expand into new markets — all while maintaining the quality and consistency that sets the company apart.
Ultimately, this substantial round of telepsychiatry startup funding will help bridge the mental health care gap for millions, providing timely, high-quality psychiatric services to patients nationwide via an innovative and responsible care model.
