The Helper Bees, an independent technology platform focusing on how older adults live and age, announced it has raised $35 in a Series C funding round.
The round was led by Centana Growth Partners, with support from Silverton Partners, Impact Engine,Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and Alumni Ventures.
WHAT IT DOES
The Helper Bees is an independent aging platform that aims to help insurers close the care gap and provide older adults with tools and services they need to remain in their homes.
The company provides a network of nonmedical products and services, such as meal delivery, lawn care and transportation. Its provider network is vetted and integrated into numerous long-term care and Medicare Advantage insurance plans.
The networks work to make it easier for payers to offer essential services directly into the home.
The Helper Bees also launched a flexible spending card, helpful, that aims to transform how benefits are accessed and used. The card aims to simplify payment for caregivers, service providers and payers by offering a unified platform for retail and online product purchases and essential services.
The company will use the funds to expand its platform to reach more seniors and increase its entry into new markets, including Medicaid.
"This funding round represents a pivotal milestone for The Helper Bees and the aging-in-place movement," Char Hu, CEO of The Helper Bees, said in a statement.
"Every day, we hear stories from families who can sleep a little easier knowing their loved ones have access to the care, services and independence they deserve. This partnership with Centana enables us to broaden our reach and continue empowering older adults to live independently and safely at home,"
MARKET SNAPSHOT
In 2024, the Helper Bees unveiled its flexible benefit card helpful to allow access to over-the-counter products, groceries and a nationwide network of more than 20,000 vetted social determinants of health providers.
The card offers members "convenience and choice" via a single multifunctional card, as well as access to more than 60,000 retail locations, including major pharmacy and grocery chains. It also covers out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for dental, vision and hearing.
That same year, the Helper Bees partnered with BBC Maestro, a platform for online learning.
The partnership aimed to provide a diverse range of educational content across various subjects, such as wellness, lifestyle, writing, music, art and design, film, TV and theatre. The collaboration also offers educational content focused on the inspirational and creative aspects of wellbeing.
Other companies in this space include Tomorrow Health, a technology company that focuses on the home-based care industry. The company aims to streamline the ordering, delivery and payment processes for home-based care. It also aligns incentives across patients, providers, health plans and suppliers.
Homecare.com provides in-home care services, primarily operating in the healthcare industry, including companion care, personal care and specialized care for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's. The services assist with socializing, light housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, dressing and mobility assistance.