VivaBem

VivaBem, operating as ViBe Saúde, is a digital health company in Brazil targeting the primary care market with a technology-driven platform. The company was co-founded by Ian Bonde and Ricardo Joseph. Their journey into health tech began around 2015 while working as consultants, where a project on childhood obesity sparked their interest in the digital health sector. This experience in strategic management consulting, particularly with clients across the healthcare value chain like hospitals and insurance companies, provided them with the foundational knowledge to launch their venture.

The firm primarily addresses the significant portion of the Brazilian population, estimated at over 160 million, that relies on the public healthcare system and often lacks access to quality primary care. ViBe Saúde operates on a freemium business model, offering a number of free consultations annually before requiring a subscription. This strategy aims to onboard a large user base by lowering the entry barrier to healthcare services. The company generates revenue through both direct-to-consumer (B2C) subscriptions and business-to-business (B2B) models, providing its platform as a health and wellness service for corporate clients and their employees. Initially focused on the B2B market, ViBe expanded into B2C following the broader legalization of telemedicine in Brazil and a surge in demand.

The platform provides on-demand and scheduled virtual consultations with general practitioners, family doctors, psychologists, and nutritionists via teleconference, chat, or phone. A key milestone was a partnership with Doktor.se, a prominent European digital health company, to integrate its AI-driven technology, enhancing the platform’s user interface and diagnostic triage capabilities. Further strategic growth includes a partnership with Rede D'Or, Brazil's largest private hospital group, to create a hybrid care model that connects digital primary care with physical specialist services. The company has secured significant funding to fuel its expansion, including a $2.5 million seed round in March 2020 and a $10 million Series A round in January 2021, led by Swedish investors and the investment firm Webrock Ventures.

Keywords: digital health, telemedicine, primary care, Brazil healthcare, health-tech, virtual consultations, B2C healthcare, B2B wellness, freemium health service, chronic care management, online medical services, mobile health, telehealth platform, Webrock Ventures, Ian Bonde, Ricardo Joseph, Doktor.se, Rede D'Or, online psychology, online nutritionists