Indonesian weight-loss app Sirka snags US$2.6m from AC Ventures, Wavemaker
PERSONAL health coaching platform, Sirka, has raised US$2.6 million in a seed funding round led by South-east Asian venture capital firms AC Ventures and Wavemaker Group.
Participating investors include Sequoia Capital, Goodwater Capital, YCombinator and angel investors such as Traveloka executive Henry Hendrawan, ex-Sequoia partner Tim Lee and Indonesian singer Maudy Ayunda.
Launched last June, Indonesia-based Sirka offers personal weight-loss programmes and preventive care for obesity-related chronic diseases at a monthly subscription rate of US$15.
Sirka said its programme has helped over 1,000 members shed weight.
Its platform currently houses 12 nutritionists whom members can directly contact for counselling.
The consumer health startup plans to use the fresh funds to develop its app features and enhance its lifestyle programme through research and partnerships with medical professionals, food and beverage suppliers and medication providers.
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Sirka is similar to US-based weight-loss app Noom, which experienced a swell in users and revenue during the pandemic. Backed by Silver Lake, Temasek and Novo Holdings, Noom's sales doubled to US$400 million in 2020 from the previous year.
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