Copenhagen-based Embla secures €10M to advance its digital weight management clinic

Copenhagen-based Embla, a digital weight management clinic, announced on Wednesday that it has secured €10M in a Series A round of funding. 

The round was backed by new investors Seed Capital and Inovo, as well as existing investors Crowberry Capital, VentureFriends, and Founders. 

The Danish company says it will use the funds to roll out its app in the UK. It will also use the capital to integrate AI features to help customise treatments with plans to accelerate its expansion to the US. 

Embla is also planning to increase its headcount by 20 to 30 employees in 2024.

Embla: Digital weight management clinic

Founded by Nicholas Syhler and Laust Wilster Axelsen in 2021, Embla emerged as a promising player in health technology, embracing the potential of GLP-1 medications originally designed for diabetes treatment, to assist individuals in their weight loss journeys.

The brainchild of the founding duo operates as a virtual “weight management clinic.”  It offers a digital gateway to doctors and nurses, enabling regular interactions with personalised “health coaches.” 

The fundamental principle underpinning Embla’s approach is to delve into the root causes of individuals’ weight-related challenges, whether stemming from psychological, nutritional, or exercise-related factors, and subsequently facilitate meaningful behavioural transformations.

Crucially, the platform’s medical professionals prescribe and monitor the administration of GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Saxenda, and Wegovy, all developed by the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. 

“We don’t just follow the standard dosage, we personalise the dose,” says Syhler to Sifted. “We have a titration algorithm that allows us to figure out what is the exact right dose for you. We only give you the help needed to lose one or two pounds per week, which is a healthy rate of weight loss.”

According to Embla, anyone can access the app. However, only eligible patients can get medical treatment. The selection criteria include factors such as BMI exceeding 30, non-pregnancy status, and the absence of alcohol or drug addiction.

The company says that every individual undergoes a thorough screening by a nurse and a medical doctor before treatment.

Currently, The platform offers two subscription options: a comprehensive package including medication at £249 per month and a non-medication weight management programme at £34.50.