Helsinki-based Hintsa Performance, which provides high-performance coaching and wellbeing services, has scored €5.1 million in funding. The investment came from notable investors, including ex-Unilever CEO Paul Polman, K5 Global, The Late Late Show host James Corden, and Charles Plowden, former joint senior partner of Baillie Gifford & Co (the investor that backed Northvolt recently), who will be the incoming Chair of the Board at Hintsa.
Mobile app to launch soon
The proceeds of this round will be used to fuel global growth. Also, Hintsa will launch a new mobile app, giving access to its science-based coaching methods to users. The mobile app and wellbeing platform will first be available to companies and organisations, and later to individual consumers.
“We are very excited to welcome our new investors to the Hintsa mission of better life, better performance for everyone,” said Annastiina Hintsa, CEO and co-founder of Hintsa. “By harnessing the power of technology, we can make an even bigger impact on society where individuals are under constant pressures that make coping successfully in life difficult.”
“With the help of our investors, we will turn Hintsa into a high-tech coaching company the world has never seen before,” said Ed Beccle, co-founder of Hintsa. “Hintsa has already proven its services on the highest level of business and sports. Bringing these learnings to millions of people around the world is incredibly exciting.”
”Companies need to operate as positive forces and promoting a culture of wellness is fundamental. Employee and stakeholder wellness is tied to performance. Those companies who do it right stand to gain an immense advantage from talent acquisition, retention, engagement, and results,” said Paul Polman, former Unilever CEO and investor via Manatu Partners.
“With Hintsa’s coaches, our senior leaders worked on goals such as reducing stress, achieving better balance, improving sleep and recovery, and increasing daily energy. Last year, 100% of coaching participants said they achieved positive lifestyle change, which is a great testament to the method and Hintsa’s coaches and specialists,” said Sara Holton, Group Head of Talent & Leadership Development at Reckitt.
“It’s a really challenging time for companies, and employee wellbeing is more important than ever. Hintsa already has a robust business and an impressive client list. What excites us is the potential to scale the existing service with a next-generation digital platform,” added Logan Solomon from K5 Global.
“We are observing a clear tipping point with our customers and partners on a global level. Leaders increasingly recognise that when they invest in wellbeing, it also benefits the business,” added Charles Plowden. “And we are confident that Hintsa is well-positioned as a strategic partner to help drive results, not only today but for years to come.”
Holistic approach to employee wellbeing
Reportedly, 3 in 5 employees experience negative impacts due to word-related stress, work effect, lack of motivation and other factors. Hintsa Performance, founded in the late 1990s by Dr Aki Hintsa, helps clients, from top executives to students, significantly improve their health. Its clients have reported over 100% increase in ability to relax during breaks, reduced emotional stress, fatigue, social stress, and burnout risk after completing the coaching programme
Hintsa coaching deploys proprietary methodologies built on the science of sustainable behavioural change to establish goals, support change, and maintain change long-term. The company’s holistic approach covers all the areas of health and wellbeing, from physical activity to sleep and recovery, mental energy, general health, nutrition, and biomechanics.
It covers organisational wellbeing topics such as culture, leadership, and ways of working, combining individual and organisational wellbeing for effective interventions.
To date, Hintsa has served over 500 organisations with over 2,000 intensive individual coaching programmes. Its clientele varies from organisations of a few hundred to over 100,000. Hintsa has offices in London, Zurich, Abu Dhabi, Helsinki, and Zug.
