Berlin-based venture capital firm naturalX Health Ventures has announced a €100 million fund dedicated to supporting consumer health startups across Europe This makes it the first specialized fund in the region focused exclusively on the intersection of healthcare and consumer innovation
The fund will primarily invest in Series A startups while also maintaining flexibility for late Seed and Series B rounds Initial investments range from €3-5 million with up to €10 million available per company naturalX will take on roles as a lead investor or co-investor targeting companies across Europe and select North American markets
naturalX is backed by Schwabe Group a global leader in plant-based pharmaceuticals further strengthening its expertise in consumer health
Marvin Amberg founder of naturalX Health Ventures emphasized the fund’s mission to fill a gap in European healthcare investments
The consumer health space has been overlooked by investors for too long We see an inflection point in Europe where consumers are finally taking more control over their own health Startups in this space need a partner that shares their vision said Amberg
Founded in 2023 naturalX Health Ventures is led by German entrepreneur Marvin Amberg who has extensive experience launching consumer and health-focused startups The fund defines consumer health as the intersection of wellness and medicine focusing on science-backed products and services that put consumers in control of their health
Over the past 18 months naturalX has already made investments in mybacs Flow Neuroscience Kyan Health and Meela while also funding healthcare-focused VC firms to build a strong ecosystem aligned with its thesis
The fund’s investment approach reflects a major transformation in global healthcare shifting from a reactive sick-care system to a proactive health management model where consumers play a central role
In the US consumer-driven healthcare brands such as Hims Hers Headspace and Function Health have gained massive traction However in Europe the market remains largely underdeveloped creating a huge opportunity for new startups
A number of factors are driving the rise of consumer-centric healthcare in Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward proactive health management increasing consumer awareness of preventative care Additionally rising health literacy fueled by thought leaders like Andrew Huberman Peter Attia and Bryan Johnson has made people more informed and engaged in their healthcare decisions
Meanwhile advancements in technology AI and health data accessibility are empowering consumers like never before With wearables at-home diagnostics and AI-powered health platforms becoming more mainstream consumers are demanding greater control over their health journeys
Amberg believes that Europe will follow a similar trajectory to the US where consumer-focused healthcare companies are now scaling rapidly
We analyzed the US health market and saw that in many of the most successful startups the consumer is at the center Our thesis is that this is just the beginning and Europe will follow a similar pattern While we are already seeing companies like Oura and Neko Health gain traction this market deserves more attention he said
naturalX is targeting startups across several key areas of consumer health including sleep gut health prevention longevity and mental health The fund places special emphasis on mental health solutions recognizing the growing demand for consumer-friendly therapeutic approaches in this space
naturalX’s investment strategy bridges the expertise of Schwabe Group in pharmaceutical innovation with modern digital health advancements positioning it as a strategic partner for high-growth startups
Several of naturalX’s portfolio companies have already benefited from its approach
Carl-Philipp von Polheim founder of mybacs a leading direct-to-consumer probiotic startup highlighted naturalX’s impact
naturalX led our Series A round and has been an exceptional partner bringing not only capital but also deep knowledge of the nutritional supplement and consumer health market Their fast pragmatic decision-making allows us to focus on growing our business he said
Similarly Vlad Gheorghiu founder of Kyan Health a mental health platform for employees emphasized naturalX’s vision and expertise
At Kyan Health we focus on proactive mental health management empowering individuals before issues escalate naturalX shares our vision understanding that prevention is key to lasting impact Their strategic approach makes them an ideal partner for driving real change Gheorghiu stated
Following its recent fund closing naturalX is now fully operational and actively building its cross-European investment team With a clear focus on consumer-driven healthcare innovation the firm aims to reshape the European healthtech landscape by backing startups that align with its vision
As consumer demand for personalized tech-driven health solutions continues to grow naturalX is positioning itself as a key player in the next wave of European healthcare innovation
