Intellect, the Singapore-based mental health platform now serving more than three million users in 20 countries, is gearing up for a new growth phase after forming a strategic partnership with IHH Healthcare, Asia’s largest private healthcare group. IHH Healthcare works with Intellect to develop and customize digital mental health programs for its patients, corporate clients and employees.
IHH Healthcare has invested in the startup for an undisclosed amount. IHH Healthcare is Intellect’s first strategic investor. Other backers include Tiger Global, Y Combined and Insignia Ventures.
In the year Founded in 2019, Intellect’s markets now include Malaysia, Singapore, India and Hong Kong. Its platform offers telehealth coaching, services such as therapy or psychotherapy and mental health screenings online or in person at the Intellect Clinic. It also has self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy-based programs. Intellect has a consumer app, but it focuses primarily on enterprise customers who offer the platform as a security benefit to their employees.
IHH Healthcare’s Ashok Pandit with Theodoric Chew, the brainchild of the founder.
Intellect CEO and founder Theodoric Chew told TechCrunch that the startup connected with IHH Healthcare because of its leadership position in the markets and began exploring partnership opportunities last year. One goal is to provide a greater continuum of care, from preventive to specialty care, in the regions the companies serve. Chew said IHH Healthcare and Intellect will focus on APAC first, but other regions as well.
So far, IHH Healthcare has included a pilot initiative with Intellect at Gleneagles Hospital Singapore in maternity patients, and plans to offer the platform to IHH Singapore’s iXchange and IHH employees’ corporate clients.
In a statement, Ashok Pandit, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, IHH Healthcare Group, said: “Mental health issues affect one in four people. We are pleased to invest in this fast-growing market leader, Intel, to accelerate their growth and reach millions of people who need support, care or treatment.
