Why we invested in Bold, the leading healthy aging platform
As we age, mobility, strength, and flexibility naturally decline, posing significant risks to our overall well-being. These risks include falls, weight gain, cardiac issues, cognitive decline, and more. In fact, more than 1 in 4 older adults falls each year resulting in $50 billion in medical costs and 3 million ER visits annually. Further, Medicare’s spending on fall-related care surpasses that on cancer care annually.
At Samsung Next, we recognize the power of wellness as a clinical pathway to improved health outcomes, and believe in integrating fitness as part of a comprehensive healthcare approach. Fitness solutions are often considered to be purely wellness offerings. However, fitness can also be used as a therapeutic modality and should also be viewed as a healthcare solution improving clinical outcomes.
Bold, a revolutionary preventative care company, is on a mission to transform aging into an opportunity for health and vitality. By harnessing the power of fitness as a therapeutic tool, Bold has embraced “movement as medicine” and crafted a digital-first platform tailored for healthy aging. The driving force behind Bold’s creation is Amanda Rees, a passionate entrepreneur who was inspired by her personal journey of caring for her grandmother for seven years.
Bold’s solution centers around a web application designed exclusively for eligible Medicare members. This cutting-edge platform seamlessly blends self-reported data from members with clinically relevant information from healthcare providers, resulting in personalized exercise programs geared toward specific health outcomes. Bold’s focus on fall prevention has led to astounding results, reducing falls by a remarkable 46% and increasing members’ weekly physical activity levels by 182%. Members receive access to a series of weekly, on-demand exercise classes led by expert trainers. These classes have undergone rigorous clinical validation, demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing age-related risks and conditions.
We’re excited to join Bold’s $17M Series A led by Rethink Impact, and including Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, GingerBread Capital, and Primetime Partners. This round will fuel the Bold team to continue their ongoing growth with national and regional Medicare plans and provider groups, while also expediting the advancement of Bold’s clinical exercise programs. Bold’s strategy perfectly fits our healthtech investment thesis, offering a clinical go-to-market strategy and catering to the same aging population that Samsung aims to support. We’re excited to see how Bold’s roadmap extends beyond fall prevention to further create a healthier future for seniors.
Jonathan Machado is an investor at Samsung Next. Fellow investor Caroline O’Connor supported this investment. Samsung Next’s investment strategy is limited to its own views and does not reflect the vision or strategy of any other Samsung business unit, including, but not limited to, Samsung Electronics.