Kindly Human
Overview
Kindly Human is an HR technology company focused on providing personalized peer-based mental well-being solutions to employees through 24/7 preclinical support. Founded in 2019, the company is based in Dallas, Texas and was co-founded by Cole Egger and Jason Franzen. As of 2024, Kindly Human has successfully raised over USD 4.6 million through various funding rounds, with its latest debt financing round securing an additional USD 500,000. The platform primarily operates by integrating with organizations’ existing employee assistance programs, offering support for a range of life and work stressors.
Recent Developments
- November 2024: Kindly Human was recognized at the Venture Dallas Summit as a Startup of the Year, highlighting its influential role in the HealthTech domain.
- August 2024: The company announced a partnership with CU Benefits Alliance to offer immediate support for credit union employees, confirming its expansion efforts in the peer support sector.
- July 2024: Closed a USD 500,000 debt financing round, demonstrating continuous investor confidence in Kindly Human’s strategic growth plan.
- April 2023: Joshua Ellison was appointed as the new Chief Growth Officer, bringing significant consulting experience to lead Kindly Human’s growth strategy.
- January 2023: Rebranded from ‘Listeners On Call’ to ‘Kindly Human’ to better reflect its mission and strategic direction, expanding service focus to include diverse challenges like parenting, loneliness, and stress.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Founders | Cole Egger, Jason Franzen |
| Total Funding | USD 4.6 million |
| Latest Funding Round | Debt Financing (July 2024) |
| Key Investors | Various private investors |
| Industry | HR Technology, Mental Healthcare |
| Number of Employees | 11-50 |
Early History
Kindly Human, originally known as ‘Listeners On Call,’ was established in 2019 by co-founders Cole Egger and Jason Franzen. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences of empathy, the initial concept was to leverage trained peers to provide immediate emotional support for employees facing various life stressors. The early phase saw the development of a call-based mental well-being platform, aiming to address the shortage of clinical therapists by offering preclinical peer support. The platform allowed employees to connect with peers who had similar life experiences, thus providing empathetic and relatable support.
Company Profile and Achievements
Kindly Human's business model revolves around providing peer-based support to employees through integration with existing employee assistance programs. The company aims to redefine workplace mental health by creating human connections that foster empathy and understanding. Achievements include:
- Launching a robust platform that offers 24/7 support, enabling users to quickly connect with trained peers without the bureaucratic hassles.
- Successfully integrating their services into diverse organizations, allowing flexibility and broader reach in various work environments.
- Recognized as an innovative leader in the mental well-being space, it reflects in accolades such as HealthTech Startups of the Year, contributing to its high reputation.
- Expanded the range of support topics to include parenting and cultural awareness, ensuring inclusivity and broader community support.
Current Operations and Market Position
Kindly Human currently maintains its position as a leader in the mental well-being sector, focusing on creating seamless connections between employees and qualified peer listeners. The model is centered around diversity and inclusion, ensuring that employees receive relatable support integral to their unique cultural and social contexts. The company’s ability to quickly pivot and address emerging market needs, alongside strategic partnerships and expansions, strengthens its competitive advantage, allowing it seamless integration into diverse employee health programs.
Conclusion
Kindly Human stands as a pivotal force in the mental well-being industry, addressing a critical gap in preclinical support with its innovative peer-based platform. By fostering empathy and connection, the company lays the groundwork for potential expansion into more nuanced areas of mental health support. As it continues to develop robust strategic initiatives and partnerships, Kindly Human is well-poised for significant impact and growth within the employee well-being sector.