Juniper, a new reproductive healthcare insurance provider, has raised €1.7 million in pre-seed funding led by Insurtech Gateway. The round was supported by 2100 Ventures, Exceptional Ventures, and Heartfelt, alongside angel investors Vera Baker, Charles Delingpole, Matt Cooper, Tara Reeves, and others. The investment will triple the team, drive growth and support Juniper’s pilot phase leading to its official launch.
Founded in 2023, Juniper addresses a gap in health insurance by providing comprehensive genital insurance for all genders, ensuring easy access for companies and their employees. In the UK, one in three women suffer from reproductive or gynaecological issues1, while one in four men experience low testosterone by age 302.
Ambra Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO of Juniper, said: “I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) early on, and my corporate health insurance didn’t cover it, as PCOS was classified as a chronic reproductive condition. So, every year, I would pay £1,000 out of pocket to see my gynaecologist get my prescription. Juniper bridges this gap by providing end-to-end reproductive health support for employees and offers tailored, high-quality insurance products for employers and brokers. Our digital platform aims to revolutionise the insurance industry by meeting the unmet needs of the new generation.”
Juniper provides everyone with an out-of-the-box reproductive health cover, providing employees access to testing and routine check ups, education, community support, medical reimbursement and care navigation. Juniper will be available to medium to large enterprise businesses looking to support their employees’ well-being, benefit from hassle-free admin, and pursue new avenues for ESG initiatives.
Juniper offers coverage that includes various conditions and tests, encompassing contraception, STD testing, endometriosis, erectile dysfunction, and reproductive organ cancer. Juniper also covers gender dysphoria, egg freezing, and menopause—making it the sole insurance provider to address these.
The European market presents a £30Bn opportunity when focused on medium to large companies. Fertility issues and menopause are often not covered by employee health insurance. In some instances, employers offer to cover the cost of egg-freezing or fertility treatments, such as IVF, which can cost the business £15-45k. Unlike traditional health insurers prioritising low-frequency, high-value claims rarely used, Juniper concentrates on high-frequency claims with moderate costs, addressing an overlooked niche.
Ruth Polyblank, Insurance Strategist and Advisor to Juniper, commented: “Juniper is embarking on a mission to empower individuals in their reproductive health and choices. With a focus on inclusivity and truly comprehensive coverage, it is redefining the landscape of reproductive healthcare and closing the gaps and exclusions that exist in traditional health insurance policies. Juniper’s launch is a progressive step towards a future where everyone can access the insurance they need to navigate their unique reproductive health journey with confidence and dignity.”
Robert Lumley, Co-Founder at Insurtech Gateway, added: “When Juniper asked us to imagine dental insurance, but for your genitals, it opened our eyes to a substantial market largely ignored by traditional insurance. Juniper is removing the stigma surrounding reproductive health issues and enabling employers to offer comprehensive care for all employees. We are delighted to join them on this journey.”
Ambra Zhang, CEO, and Sam Pratt, CPTO, co-founded Juniper. Ambra, drawing from her experience in investment banking and private equity at Goldman Sachs, founded Juniper after firsthand encounters with the constraints of corporate health insurance. Sam is an experienced engineer, previously Senior Engineering Manager at Brit Insurance, the second largest commercial insurer at Lloyd’s of London. Before this, he was the Head of Engineering at Gaia, the first direct-to-consumer IVF insurance startup. They are joined by Max Bacon, Head of Operations, who previously was Regional Lead for DrDoctor.
In addition to the core team, Juniper’s advisors includes John Hodgson, the former Executive Director at Aviva Life & Pension; Marco Ramadoro, Founder of Satec MGA; Guillaume d’Audiffret, Co-founder of Seyna; Ruth Polyblank, Vice President, Insurance, Strategic Growth for Mastercard; and Benjamin Viaris de Lesegno, Doctor, Entrepreneur, and Co-founder of Leva Clinic and Cellen.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/02/london-based-juniper-gets-e1-7-million-pre-seed-to-pioneer-reproductive-healthcare-insurance-for-employees/
