Allara Secures $26M Funding to Revolutionize Women’s Hormone Telehealth Services

Growing up with an OB-GYN father, Rachel Blank believed that excellent gynecological care was the norm for all women. However, her perspective changed dramatically at age 21 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can lead to a range of reproductive and hormonal issues. This experience highlighted the disparities in women’s health care, prompting Blank to take action.

Understanding PCOS and Women’s Health Disparities

Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, and weight gain. Despite having access to high-quality medical care, Blank discovered a significant gap in treatment options for hormonal conditions. She stated, “There weren’t a lot of places for me to go, because the concept of a specialist for my condition didn’t exist,” as reported by TechCrunch.

The Journey to Allara

Faced with limited resources, Blank took it upon herself to research and seek help from various specialists, including dieticians and endocrinologists. This journey inspired her to leave her position as a director of strategy at Ro, an online clinic, and launch Allara, a telehealth platform dedicated to women suffering from hormonal conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and hypothyroidism.

The Allara Approach to Women’s Health

Allara aims to provide comprehensive care for conditions that many traditional OB-GYNs are not equipped to handle. The platform has quickly gained traction, particularly among younger women, with an average patient age of 30. In 2024, Allara experienced a remarkable 400% increase in revenue and successfully raised $26 million in Series B funding led by Index Ventures, following a $10 million Series A just 14 months prior.

Insurance Partnerships and Accessibility

Initially, Allara operated as a subscription service requiring out-of-pocket payments. However, over the past year, the company has partnered with several major health insurance providers, including:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Humana
• United Healthcare

These partnerships now allow Allara’s services to be covered in 10 states, with plans to expand coverage nationwide using funds from the latest investment round.

Benefits for Patients and Providers

Allara’s comprehensive care model not only supports patients but also benefits healthcare providers. Doctors, nurse practitioners, dermatologists, and registered dieticians appreciate the ability to offer remote consultations, making healthcare more accessible for busy professionals and working mothers.

Positioning Allara in the Market

While other startups like Tia, Midi Health, Gennev, and Ro focus primarily on infertility and menopause, Allara addresses the needs of women dealing with chronic hormonal conditions before they consider starting a family. This unique positioning is appealing to investors like Martin Mignot from Index Ventures, who believes that nurturing relationships with patients from a young age will encourage them to remain loyal as their healthcare needs evolve over time.

“If you have a relationship with your care providers since you are 20 or 25, it is very natural to stay over time,” Mignot explained. This long-term approach may lead Allara to expand its offerings to include infertility and menopause services in the future.

For more information on women’s health and telehealth services, visit WomensHealth.gov.