CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – Cart-wheela platform that helps schools address the student mental health crisis by providing affordable, evidence-based telehealth services with no waitlist, announced today that it has raised $20 million in Series A funding led by Menlo Ventures. Get to the capital joined the round, as did previous investors General catalyst, group of boxes and Capable partners. The funding will allow Cartwheel to expand mental health services to hundreds of thousands of new students in current service areas, as well as school districts in new states.
There’s a unprecedented mental health crisis among children and adolescents. Teen depression has more than doubled in the past 10 years, and a third of high school girls have seriously considered suicide. Today’s youth lack access to high quality care, and the symptoms often go untreated for years. As a result of the shortage of mental health providerslimited insurance coverage and long waits, schools are You are increasingly expected to take the lead in supporting students’ mental health..
Founded in 2022, Cartwheel has quickly become a trusted mental health partner for schools. The founding team, which includes the medical director, Juliana Chen, MDa board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, had spent decades working collectively in schools and community mental health clinics and felt the need for a stronger school-community partnership to improve the accessibility, quality, and financial sustainability of mental health care.
Today, when a school district partners with Cartwheel, school counselors can refer students to clinical mental health services without waitlists. Cartwheel’s in-house team of licensed physicians provides evidence-based telehealth services, including individualized therapy, group therapy, parenting counseling, and medication support, all as an in-network benefit covered by family insurance. Cartwheel, which operates year-round, allows students to see a licensed doctor at home or at school and during evenings, weekends, school holidays and summers.
“As a district, we are committed to supporting the mental and social-emotional health of our students to prepare them for success, in the classroom and in life,” he said Kimberly Huffer, Director of Social Emotional Learning at Cambridge Public Schools. “Cartwheel has been a game-changer for us, allowing our students and families to quickly access evidence-based mental health care. Cartwheel is collaborative and responsive to the needs of our students and families and allows our social workers to have a true partner in the community.”
Throughout care, Cartwheel works hand-in-hand with school staff and families to ensure the student receives appropriate support. A clinically licensed program manager supports school administrators with student cases, parent engagement, and staff training throughout the year; and bilingual care coordinators help families with scheduling, insurance, and referrals for additional services. Parents can also schedule weekly counseling sessions with a licensed clinician to discuss ways to support their child, even if their child is not interested in therapy. Parents can also join educational workshops on current mental health topics, ranging from avoiding school to social media use.
“It is incredibly difficult to be a child today, and mental health is a critical issue for our youth and our future. “We are leading this investment in Cartwheel because, by working directly with schools, Cartwheel enables earlier intervention, improves student and family engagement during care, and supports better coordination between trusted adults in a student’s life.” , said Greg YapPartner at Menlo Ventures.
“We have reached a tipping point in a mental health crisis that is overwhelming parents, schools and community providers,” he said. Steve Kupfer, Partner at Reach Capital. “The Cartwheel model recognizes the practical support school systems need and the vital role of timely intervention. “Through care coordination, parent engagement, and a versatile team of licensed clinicians, Cartwheel will provide indispensable relief to communities across the country.”
“We work with school counselors to reinforce the support they provide to students every day,” he said joe english, Co-Founder and CEO of Cartwheel. “If a counselor believes a student may need a level of care that is beyond the school’s capacity, Cartwheel can initiate treatment with a licensed physician, without waiting lists. This speed and quality have helped save lives.”
“By combining funding from school districts and health insurers, we have helped superintendents ensure the long-term financial sustainability of these services,” he added. Daniel Tartakovskyco-founder and COO of Cartwheel and previously a mental health policy advisor to the US Surgeon General. “We believe our model will become a blueprint for districts across the country on how to build a school-to-school partnership.” the community in the long term, especially as school budgets tighten with the expiration of federal COVID relief dollars.”
Cartwheel serves more than 50 school systems in five states, including Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, and Rhode Island, supporting thousands of students, families, and school staff.
About Cartwheel
Cartwheel is the trusted mental health partner for schools, providing quick access to care for students and helping schools develop stronger mental health programs that serve kids before they fall. Our evidence-based mental health program is designed for the entire school community. Our licensed child therapists and psychiatrists are diverse, culturally sensitive, and committed to affordable care for all, including uninsured and Medicaid-covered families. Children should not simply aspire to get out of bed and drag themselves to class. They should be able to experience joy. They deserve to imagine and build a life that they are excited to live.
For more information or to join our team, visit: https://www.cartwheelcare.org/
About Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures is a venture capital firm that strives to have a positive impact in everything we do. That’s why we support companies like Carta, Chime, Harness, Poshmark, Pillpack, Roku, Rover, Uber and Warby Parker that are reimagining life and work for the better. Over 46 years, we have grown a portfolio that includes more than 80 public companies, more than 165 mergers and acquisitions, and currently manages $5.5 billion. We invest in each stage and in each sector, with experience in Consumer, Business and Health. From developing market strategies to building communities, we deliver real impact where entrepreneurs need it most. When we are inside, we are ALL IN.
About the scope of capital
Reach Capital is an educator-led venture capital fund with a mission to expand access to education and economic opportunity and inspire people to reach their full potential. With over 20 years of teaching experience across the team, Reach has supported over 100 education and workforce development companies, including market leaders ClassDojo, Desmos, Lovevery, Nearpod, Outschool and Replit. Join us on this transformative journey and make a difference in the lives of countless students around the world. Get more information at www.reachcapital.com.
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