Rachel Blank grew up with a father who was an OB-GYN, leading her to believe that most women were receiving outstanding gynecological care. She often observed her father’s patients expressing gratitude for the birth of their children when they encountered him in the community.
However, Blank’s perspective changed at the age of 21 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that can result in irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and weight gain.
Despite having access to high-quality medical care, Blank quickly realised that most OB-GYNs lack the training to manage hormonal disorders effectively. It was noted that there were limited options available, as the role of a specialist for her condition was not widely recognised.
Faced with this challenge, Blank took the initiative to research her condition personally. She consulted various specialists, such as dieticians and endocrinologists, in search of an appropriate treatment.
This experience motivated Blank to resign from her position as director of strategy at Ro, an online clinic addressing erectile dysfunction and menopause, over four years ago. She founded Allara, a telehealth platform designed for women suffering from hormonal conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and hypothyroidism. Allara provides a comprehensive care model in one location, unlike the fragmented care Blank had to assemble herself upon her PCOS diagnosis.
The effectiveness of Allara’s approach is evident, particularly among younger women, with the average patient age being around 30, according to Blank. In 2024, the company saw a fourfold increase in revenue and secured $26 million in Series B funding led by Index Ventures, with participation from GV, just 14 months after raising $10 million in Series A funding.
Initially, Allara functioned as a subscription service where patients paid out of pocket. However, in the past year, the company has successfully partnered with several major health insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare, enabling coverage of Allara’s services across 10 states. Blank indicated that a portion of the funding from Series B will be allocated to broaden the insurance coverage throughout the country.
Moreover, it’s not just the patients who benefit from Allara’s comprehensive model, which includes consultations with a diverse range of specialists. Many healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, dermatologists, and registered dieticians – many of whom are also working mothers – appreciate the ability to consult with patients remotely rather than travelling to clinic locations.
While numerous startups such as Tia, Midi Health, Gennev, and Ro provide online care for hormonal disorders, their focus is primarily on infertility or menopause.
In contrast, Allara predominantly serves women managing chronic conditions prior to starting a family.
The youthful demographic of Allara’s patient base is one of the factors that drew the attention of Index partner Martin Mignot. He expresses optimism that these patients will remain with Allara as they age and their healthcare needs evolve.
It was remarked that fostering a long-term relationship with care providers from the age of 20 or 25 is likely to encourage continuity over time. This prospect suggests that Allara may potentially expand its services to encompass fertility and menopause in the future.
