The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that as essential workers help keep the world afloat startups like Vitable Health are simply vital.

Hourly workers are what keep businesses rolling, yet they’re often left uninsured or have to fend for their health out-of-pocket. Vitable Health aims to change this misfortune by giving employers a more cost-effective way to give their employees and their families healthcare, Forbes reports.

Now, the Pennsylvania-based startup has raised $7.2 million in funding to ensure that hourly workers’ health is as much of a priority as salaried employees. Participants of the round included First Round Capital, and angel investors such as the CEO of Lattice, Jack Altman; managing director at Y Combinator, Michael Seibel; senior vice president of business at GoPuff, Daniel Folkman; co-founder of Cityblock Health, Toyin Ajayi; and others, according to Forbes.

With their latest funding, Vitable Health plans to improve its app as it launches its mental health services, as well as increase its number of practitioners to expand to more markets in the North East. Currently, the company serves nearly 10,000 members in the Philadelphia and Delaware area.

Twenty-four-year-old Kenyan immigrant Joseph Kitonga founded the company in 2020 once he dropped out of college. Prior to dropping out, Kitonga had helped his parents with their small homecare company while growing up. He then became inspired to build his own company to leave an impact on healthcare.

“Even though we’re very early in our journey, we’ve hit a nerve where hourly workers have been underserved for so long,” the founder and CEO said. “Not only does it present a great business opportunity, but while we do that, we’re providing incredible value for a population that’s been underserved.”

The startup’s coverage includes primary, chronic, urgent care, sexual health and women’s health, and other services. The monthly fee is $50 per employee and patients are able to have either home or virtual appointments with Vitable’s network of providers.

Vitable Health

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