Optate

Optate was a company that provided employee benefits services, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI. The firm operated in the Other Commercial Services industry, focusing on helping users manage their health care information and obtain benefits. Optate's business model involved providing these services to its clients, positioning itself in the healthcare benefits management sector. The company went through a couple of early-stage VC funding rounds, one in 2002, and had raised a total of $6.5M. Its investors included Ascend Venture Group and Internet Healthcare Group. The company's trajectory culminated in its acquisition by WebMD on May 2, 2003.

There is also a separate and unrelated entity, OPTATE LIMITED, a UK-based company incorporated on January 8, 2015. The director and founder of this company is Ross John Platt. This entity should not be confused with the original US-based Optate that was acquired by WebMD.

Keywords: employee benefits, health care information management, benefits administration, healthcare services, corporate wellness, health insurance management, WebMD acquisition, Ascend Venture Group, Internet Healthcare Group, Ann Arbor startup, Other Commercial Services, benefits management software, online benefits portal, healthcare data