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Hoboken-based Culina Health announced Dec. 19 raising a $7.9 million Series A funding round.

According to the personalized nutrition platform, the latest investment comes amid 117% year-over-year growth, as well as noteworthy patient engagement and clinical outcomes.

Culina Health says the new capital will help expand offerings, implement new AI platforms to improve care efficiency and enhance company leadership “with key hires.”

The infusion brings Culina Health’s total capital raised to $20 million. Healthworx, the innovation and investment arm of CareFirst, led the the round. Additional participants include: Rethink Impact, Collab Capital, Collide Capital, Vamos Ventures, Tensility Venture Partners, Cake Ventures and GW Ventures.

Founded in 2020 by registered dietitians Vanessa Rissetto and Tamar Samuels, Culina Health connects patients with providers nationwide. The platform offers personalized, virtual nutrition services. Specialty areas include weight loss, chronic disease prevention and management, and healthy eating and wellness.

In the U.S., projections suggest a 7.52% compound annual growth rate from 2018-2028 in the clinical nutrition market, valued at $14.05 billion in 2022. Demand for specialized care serving specific needs also is expected to grow, boosted by an aging population and incidence of such chronic diseases as obesity.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, an estimated 129 million people in the U.S. have at least one major chronic disease.

At the same time, providers continue to turn toward treating causes, and not just symptoms. Beyond improving outcomes, working to address these social determinants of health can also decrease costs.

Whole-person health

“Research shows 90% of Americans would benefit from seeing a dietitian, yet only .02% of the population has done so. It’s clear that nutrition is a vital function of long-term health, and registered dietitians should be empowered to be at the forefront of providing this care,” said CEO Rissetto, also a frequent guest on “The Today Show.”

“With a clinical-first, evidence-based approach, Culina Health is uniquely positioned to support patients and providers with the most effective and connected nutrition journey,” she continued. “With the help of our investors and health plan partners, we are one step closer to our shared mission of making world-class nutrition care available to everyone and putting registered dietitians back in the driver’s seat of Food as Medicine interventions.”

Healthworx first invested in Culina Health in 2022. At the time, the support made the beneficiary the first and only digital nutrition company backed by a strategic player, according to Culina Health.

Research shows 90% of Americans would benefit from seeing a dietitian, yet only .02% of the population has done so.

“New interventions that engage members, improve health outcomes, and ultimately reduce long-term costs associated with managing chronic conditions are core to the potential of whole-person health,” said Healthworx Managing Partner Doba Parushev. “Through its clinically driven approach to nutrition and unparalleled level of support, compassion, and attention from its care team, Culina Health has created a viable solution that can be deployed at scale, and has the potential to improve the health of millions of people.”

Because it partners with major insurers and Medicare, Culina Health services are available to 70% of the U.S. population.

Outcomes

Culina Health currently maintains more than 1,000 referring providers. The company said it has served more than 10,000 patients.

The company’s proprietary Culina Health Method integrates evidence-based clinical nutrition protocols and non-judgmental, culturally affirming care. To support that work, Culina has built a team of care givers that mirrors the populations it serves. Additionally, it offers support in 14 different languages.

In its latest Impact Report, Culina says nearly half (46%) of its patients reversed pre-diabetes diagnosis in under three months. Across the study, the work resulted in 100% prevention of disease progression for patients. That cost savings added up to $7,000 per patient per year. Culina puts the projected savings at scale in this area at $10.3 billion.

And the company has earned recognition for its innovative approach toward expanding and delivering care. The 2024 NJBIZ Health Care Heroes honoree also received regional honors from Ernst & Young this year. Rissetto was named a 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year winner in June.