Mental health startup Riliv secures seed funding from East Ventures

Riliv, an Indonesian mental health service startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in its seed funding round led by Southeast Asia-based venture capital firm East Ventures.

In a statement, the startup said it will use the fresh capital to expand its mental health services to a wider range of sectors, such as the general public that need integrated health services as well as industries that are specific to providing access to mental health personnel for employees.

The funding round was also participated by Benson Capital, Sankalpa Ventures, Teja Ventures, Telkom Indonesia through Indigo Acceleration program, and angel investor Shweta Shrivastava.

Riliv was established in 2015 as an integrated health application with online counselling and online meditation services. Since its inception, the startup claims to have helped thousands of users achieve a better state of psychological well-being.

It collaborates with various companies for employee mental health.

The funding comes as the Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia in 2018 stated there is an enormous number of mental health issues, estimating more than 21 million people suffering from emotional and mental disturbance.

A surging increase almost twice the number during pandemic in 2020 confirms that Covid-19 creates disruption in every aspect of daily life, making it harder to bounce back and become resilient.

“The presence of online counseling and integrated mindfulness content from Riliv can introduce mental health as a natural need for Gen Y, Z, and Alpha in Indonesia’s current demographic bonus. We open the door for all parties to work together to tackle mental health together,” said Audrey Maximillian Herli, CEO of Riliv.

Along with the increasing need for online-based health services (telehealth) as well as mental health content, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Riliv continues to grow to provide online psychologist counseling services through an application.

Users can take advantage of self-help such as meditation, journalling, and also sleepcasts to help rest. In addition, Riliv also offers Employee Assistance Program services, namely Riliv for Company, which offers
counseling services and wellness programs for employees.