Empathy raises $30 million
Empathy, a platform helping families navigate the journey they face after losing a loved one, has raised $30 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Entrée Capital, with participation from General Catalyst, Aleph, LocalGlobe, Primetime Partners, Shai Wininger (CEO & co-founder of Lemonade), Sir Ronald Cohen, John Kim (former president of New York Life), and Micha Kaufman (CEO & co-founder of Fiverr). To date, Empathy has raised $43 million.
Launched in April, Empathy provides a digital companion app to streamline end-of-life action items and help families make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes . The app, which has a one-time cost of $65 (plus a 30-day free trial), offers resources such as in-depth articles, checklists, and audio chapters, as well as human support via chat. The app creates a personalized path for each user depending on their specific needs, and some of the areas Empathy can help with include the funeral, informing others, paperwork, the will, bills & debt, taxes, and applying for benefits. The app also enables users to upload and organize important documents in a secure vault, and it can connect them with local professionals to accomplish different tasks.
In addition to its direct-to-consumer offering across the US, Empathy is working with brands in several industries, including insurance companies, hospice chains, and funeral homes to expand its reach through strategic partnerships. Last month Empathy and New York Life announced a partnership, making the app available to beneficiaries of New York Life policyholders.
“Empathy is a customer-centric company with compassion at our core. We aim not only to help families who are dealing with loss but also to act as a catalyst for change in the industry at large. Thanks to the support from our new and existing investors, and our partnerships with trailblazing companies leading their respective industries, software is finally being leveraged to make a significant difference for families struggling with loss. We are humbled to hear from the bereaved families we’ve helped already, and are determined to continue working to help as many as we can in alleviating both the logistical and emotional burdens of a loved one’s passing.” – Ron Gura, co-founder & CEO of Empathy.
“We are proud to continue to support Empathy as it strengthens its position as a market leader in the end-of-life industry and provides a service that is incredibly necessary for families struggling with loss. Empathy has proven both its commitment and its determination to reach as many families as possible, partnering with companies across different sectors to connect with diverse audiences, as well as recruiting the best and the brightest to further their mission. We look forward to seeing Empathy continue to prove how technology can make a major difference for bereaved families.” – Joel Cutler,co-founder and managing director at General Catalyst.
“Empathy’s product is uniquely disruptive and a category-defining solution dealing with loss. Its holistic approach sets it apart, and this, together with its growth, drew our attention to the company. We look forward to working with Empathy’s founders and team as they grow by providing this much-needed solution to millions of people worldwide.” – Avi Eyal, managing partner of Entrée Capital.
“Empathy is proving that “values create value” and is building a lasting business for the 21st century. Empathy treats you like a human being, removing the hassle through automation and slightly but consistently dulling the pain of loss through grief support. Any business that touches next of kin – from life insurance to hospice, funeral directors to bereavement counselors – will find Empathy’s solution a perfect fit for their customers and will enable them to lead with values.” – Michael Eisenberg, Co-Founder and Equal Partner at Aleph.
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