A mental fitness app for men co-founded by Bear Grylls, the British adventurer, has raised £2.5m in seed funding from backers including venture capital funds and prominent angel investors.
Sky News understands that Mettle, which launched earlier this week, has secured financial backing that will support aid a sizeable marketing campaign during the coming weeks.
The app has been launched by Neil Smith, a former television producer, and includes the backing of Dr Alex George, a government mental health ambassador.
Mettle aims to address a significant gap in the market for the provision of mental health services, with virtually no platforms dedicated to supporting men in tackling what remains one of society’s most heavily stigmatized issues.
It provides a mental health toolkit, giving users assistance with meditation, mind-hacking breath-work and hypnosis.
The app was jointly designed by Imperial College London, and includes content from high-profile figures including Paul McKenna.
Among the angels investing in Mettle’s seed round are Dan Cobley, the former boss of Google in the UK and Ireland, and Daniel Macklin, co-founder of SoFi, the fintech.
‘I wasn’t deemed sick enough’: The crisis in children’s mental health services
Magicians less prone to mental health challenges than other creatives, study suggests
Right Care Right Person: Why the Met will no longer respond to health emergencies
The funding was raised at a £10m pre-money valuation, and is expected to be followed by a larger Series A round next year.
Mr Grylls said: “However strong we might think we are, life will repeatedly throw us tough challenges and emotional curve-balls.
“I believe that the pressures and struggles men encounter nowadays are greater than ever, but there are effective ways to thrive if you have the right support and tools at your disposal.
“We all need help in becoming the best version of ourselves but it can be really hard to know where to start – I see a lot of people struggle with choice paralysis.
“Mettle is completely outcome focussed – it is designed to guide and provide men with the ability to build up their mental resilience, to deal well with change and to thrive in complex life situations.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Other investors in the round include Elbow Beach Capital, a venture capital firm which typically backs start-ups focused on decarbonisation and sustainable energy.
Mettle is said to have drawn interest already from large companies interested in giving its employees access to the app.
“Over the years, I noticed that a lot of men in my circle looked after their physical health but really neglected their mental wellbeing and the research has clearly demonstrated that this has been echoed in the current mental health crisis amongst men,” Mr Smith said.
