Berry Street, a revolutionary nutrition counseling platform, has secured a $50 million funding round from investors including Northzone, Sofinova, and FJ Labs. Launched two years ago, the platform was inspired by the personal transformation of its co-founder, Noah Kotlove, who successfully lost 60 pounds with the guidance of a dietitian.
The platform allows registered dietitians to establish their own practices during evenings or weekends, significantly increasing access to nutrition counseling for patients. Berry Street provides these professionals with essential tools for managing independent practices, thereby empowering them to reach a wider audience. This innovative model has contributed to the platform's rapid growth since its inception.
Berry Street's expansion is part of a larger trend among nutrition counseling startups, driven by the discovery and success of GLP-1 medications. These medications have proven effective in helping individuals lose weight and address diet-related chronic illnesses, issues that the U.S. healthcare system has long struggled to manage.
“I tried everything to combat my poor diet,” Kotlove stated, highlighting his personal journey and the inception of Berry Street.
Kotlove, a serial entrepreneur with a background in developing health-focused apps, is passionate about making nutritional counseling accessible to a broader audience. His vision for Berry Street is rooted in his own experiences with dietitians and the profound impact they had on his relationship with food.
“It felt a lot like therapy, but instead of talking about my relationship with my family members, or my partner, we were talking about my relationship with food,” Kotlove remarked, emphasizing the therapeutic nature of nutritional counseling.
Nutrition counseling is often fully covered by insurance, allowing patients to access this crucial service without any out-of-pocket expenses. Kotlove believes this benefit is underutilized in the American healthcare system.
“It’s arguably the most under-utilized benefit in all of the American health system,” Kotlove observed.
Berry Street's success is not solely dependent on the rise of GLP-1 medications but also on the growing awareness of the benefits of nutritional therapy. The platform is committed to making dietitian consultations accessible to individuals regardless of their income or background.
“I would argue that GLP-1 for dietitians is the biggest tailwind that any single provider type in American health care has ever seen,” said Kotlove.
By leveraging technology, Berry Street is positioning itself at the forefront of a movement to make nutrition counseling an integral part of healthcare. The startup’s model is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of both dietitians and patients, making it easier than ever for people to receive professional dietary guidance.
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