Reportedly, 2.3 billion people worldwide are impacted by bladder issues. Incontinence has a market size bigger than that of diabetes, and bigger than menopause, erectile dysfunction and endometriosis combined.
Jude, a bladder care company headquartered in London, has set out to improve the entire clinical pathway where there are limited solutions available for patients.
US expansion plans
Now, the bladder health tech startup has raised $4.24 million in seed funding. The round was led by Eka VC and Joyance, with follow-on investment from June Angelides at Samos VC and also includes Dr Fiona Pathiraja of Crista Galli Ventures. Jude has also received a grant from Innovate UK. This investment follows the £2 million pre-seed round it raised last year.
This round comes at a time when Jude plans to expand in the US market. Jude will launch into the US, through retail at the end of the year and via direct-to-consumer at the beginning of 2024. The company will further expand its range of products and services to launch symptom tracking, prescriptions and advance research into the underserved area of nutrition and urinary health.
Jude founder Peony Li said, “Since launch, we’ve improved the lives of tens of thousands of people suffering from bladder issues with treatments and education tools. This investment will be critical in us achieving this mission, and expanding our services to the US, where 75m people struggle with these issues. I’m incredibly happy to welcome Eka Ventures and Joyance – who are aligned on our healthcare mission – and to continue our partnership with Samos VC.”
Camilla Dolan, Eka Ventures said: “We have been consistently impressed with Peony’s vision and the deep appreciation she has for building out a brand underpinned by a strong and supportive community and understanding the needs of the consumer. The size of the commercial opportunity is enormous. There is currently no scaled player that provides a holistic solution to prevention, treatment and management of incontinence and prostate related issues or a scaled player focused on healthy ageing.”
Digital subscription services for improved bladder health
Founded in 2022 by Peony Li, the former Head of Investments at Founders Factory and Head of Operations at Daye suffered. She founded this startup as she was suffering from chronic bladder infections from a young age, which was consistently ignored.
Jude improves bladder health with a range of services from diagnosis and treatment to accessible services and the availability of medication without debilitating side effects.
With its digital subscription services, Jude will deliver a holistic treatment based on a personalised consultation, right to customers’ doorstep.
To date, Jude has served nearly 16,000 customers. It has brought innovative products, including a new natural treatment for lower urinary tract issues that reduces incontinence, being prescribed by doctors to patients across Europe. The company has also launched a support hotline and has worked with Southampton University Hospital, West Suffolk NHS trust, and London Menopause Clinic.
