Upgraid
Remote perioperative care program for surgical patients.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
| investor investor investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
$3.0m | Seed | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Upgraid, now part of Mend, is a company focused on digital healthcare, providing a remote care program to support surgical patients, particularly those with obesity. Their platform combines evidence-based nutritional support, remote patient monitoring, behavioral health coaching, and AI-driven insights. The primary goal is to improve surgical readiness, reduce complication risks, enhance healing, and foster long-term wellness.
The company was co-founded by Helene Rutledge and Justin Kamine. Rutledge has a background as a C-Suite executive in the healthcare industry at companies like GSK, Pfizer, and The Bountiful Company. Kamine is noted as an impact entrepreneur. Upgraid was backed by institutional investors, including Blue.IO, H/L Ventures, and Kamine Development Corporation before being acquired. In July 2021, Upgraid was acquired by MEND, a life sciences company with a complementary mission in clinical nutrition. Following the merger, the combined entity operates under the MEND brand, with Helene Rutledge taking the role of Co-Founder & President.
The Upgraid platform is designed to integrate into clinical workflows, offering a turnkey solution for surgeons and hospitals to engage patients earlier and manage their preoperative and postoperative journey more effectively. It provides patients with a structured care experience, including support from registered dietitians and care navigators. The business serves healthcare providers, such as orthopedic surgeons and hospitals, by aiming to reduce office calls, lower cancellation rates, and improve patient outcomes. The service has demonstrated high patient satisfaction ratings and is utilized by top hospitals and surgeons.
Keywords: perioperative care, surgical wellness, remote patient monitoring, digital health, clinical nutrition, nutrapharma, patient engagement, surgical readiness, obesity management, orthopedic surgery, healthcare technology, patient outcomes, behavioral health coaching, lifestyle change, postsurgical recovery, preoperative optimization, remote care, health coaching