Forge Health, a New York-based behavioral health care provider, announced this week that it has raised $11 million in a new growth funding round. The investment, led by HC9 Ventures, will enable the company to expand its integrated behavioral health treatment offerings and deepen its value-based care partnerships across the country.
The infusion of capital reflects a growing recognition that America’s behavioral health system needs scalable, evidence-driven alternatives to the fragmented care models that dominate the space today. Forge Health, known for its hybrid model of digital and in-person outpatient services, plans to use the funds to serve more individuals in need of coordinated mental health and substance use disorder care.
Scaling a Solution to a Broken System
Forge Health Co-Founder and CEO Eric Frieman addressed the structural flaws in the nation’s current behavioral health infrastructure in the company’s announcement.
“Care is extremely fragmented, emphasizes point solutions, and fails to properly address the whole person,” Frieman said. “The need for accessible, affordable, and effective care is more important now than ever.”
Forge Health’s approach to integrated behavioral health treatment is rooted in addressing this very issue — replacing disjointed care experiences with personalized, longitudinal treatment that supports patients at every step of recovery. By aligning services across mental health, substance use, and physical health needs, Forge is working to rebuild trust in the behavioral health system and improve clinical outcomes through collaboration and accountability.
Investment to Expand Hybrid, Whole-Person Care
The $11 million growth round will allow Forge Health to:
- Increase its number of in-person clinics in existing and new markets
- Improve digital infrastructure to enhance the hybrid care experience
- Form new partnerships with health plans, employers, health systems, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
- Scale its value-based care contracts with public and private payers
Forge Health’s model of integrated behavioral health treatment combines licensed clinical teams, digital engagement tools, and outcome-driven care pathways to support long-term patient progress — not just symptom reduction. With this investment, Forge aims to extend that care to a wider audience while maintaining its commitment to personalized treatment.
A Proven Track Record Since 2016
Founded in 2016 with early backing from Montage Ventures, Forge Health has grown into a trusted provider of outpatient behavioral health care across six states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Virginia. The company reports that it has already formed 30 partnerships with public and private health plans and has served more than 270,000 members under its value-based care model.
Forge Health’s services address a wide range of conditions, with special emphasis on co-occurring disorders. Its integrated behavioral health treatment framework ensures that individuals receive coordinated care from multidisciplinary teams that understand the complexity of overlapping mental health and addiction challenges.
HC9 Ventures Joins as Strategic Partner
HC9 Ventures, a health care-focused venture capital firm based in New York City, led the funding round and will serve as a strategic growth partner for Forge Health. HC9’s investment underscores the firm’s belief in scalable solutions that can transform care delivery and drive long-term value.
Richard Lungen, Partner at HC9, commented on the firm’s enthusiasm:
“We’re excited to support Forge Health and accelerate the startup’s growth to not only drive enterprise value creation but, more importantly, positively impact the lives of many Americans who are in dire need of Forge’s whole-person care.”
The firm’s support will help Forge deepen its bench of partnerships and broaden the reach of its integrated behavioral health treatment across new populations and care settings.
Riding the Wave of Mental Health Investment
Forge Health’s announcement comes amid a broader surge in venture investment in behavioral health. In 2021, digital mental health startups raised $5.1 billion, reflecting historic levels of funding for the sector. That trend continues in 2022. Just this month, Massachusetts-based Eleanor Health closed a $50 million Series C round to expand its own addiction and mental health treatment services.
This intense investor interest is driven by:
- Growing demand for accessible behavioral health care
- Shifts toward value-based care models
- A national workforce shortage impacting traditional in-person-only care models
- Technological innovations enabling scalable, patient-centered care
Forge Health is strategically positioned to capitalize on all of these trends. By delivering integrated behavioral health treatment through a hybrid platform, the company offers a compelling solution that appeals to payers, patients, and providers alike.
The Future of Integrated Behavioral Health Treatment
As the behavioral health field continues to evolve, Forge Health’s hybrid model offers a promising glimpse into the future of care delivery. Its focus on integrated behavioral health treatment, backed by strong clinical outcomes and forward-thinking partnerships, positions the company as a national leader in outpatient mental health and addiction care.
With $11 million in new funding and a growing network of partnerships, Forge Health is poised to expand its reach and continue reshaping behavioral health care into a system that prioritizes the whole person — mind, body, and community.
