London-based Jude, a pioneering bladder care company, is on a mission to transform the limited solutions available to patients. Recently, Jude secured $4.24 million in seed funding, led by Eka VC and Dr. Fiona Pathiraja of Crista Galli Ventures, along with a grant from Innovate UK. This significant investment coincides with Jude's expansion plans in the US market, where it aims to offer holistic solutions, symptom tracking, prescriptions, and cutting-edge research in nutrition and urinary health.
Bladder issues affect an astounding 2.3 billion individuals worldwide, surpassing the combined market size of conditions like diabetes, menopause, erectile dysfunction, and endometriosis. Amid this challenging landscape, London-headquartered Jude has emerged as a beacon of hope, committed to revolutionizing bladder care. This innovative startup recently secured a substantial $4.24 million in seed funding, led by Eka VC and Joyance, with continued support from June Angelides at Samos VC and Dr. Fiona Pathiraja of Crista Galli Ventures. Adding to this financial boost, Jude has received a grant from Innovate UK. This milestone comes on the heels of a successful £2 million pre-seed round last year.
As part of its growth strategy, Jude is set to make its mark in the US market. The company is gearing up to launch in the US, initially through retail channels by the end of the year, followed by a direct-to-consumer approach in early 2024. This expansion will see Jude diversify its product and service offerings, introducing symptom tracking, prescription services, and pioneering research in the underserved realm of nutrition and urinary health.
Founder of Jude, Peony Li, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Since our inception, we've enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of individuals grappling with bladder issues through treatments and educational tools. This investment is instrumental in our mission and will enable us to extend our services to the US, where 75 million people contend with these challenges. I'm thrilled to welcome Eka Ventures and Joyance, both of which share our healthcare mission, and to continue our partnership with Samos VC."
Jude, founded in 2022 by Peony Li, former Head of Investments at Founders Factory and Head of Operations at Daye, emerged from a personal journey of chronic bladder infections that went unaddressed. The startup is dedicated to enhancing bladder health through a comprehensive range of services, spanning diagnosis, treatment, accessible healthcare, and medication with minimal side effects.
Jude's digital subscription services offer personalized consultations and deliver holistic treatments right to customers' doorsteps. To date, Jude has served nearly 16,000 customers, introducing innovative products, including a natural treatment for lower urinary tract issues prescribed by doctors across Europe. The company has also launched a support hotline and forged partnerships with Southampton University Hospital, West Suffolk.
