Making intimacy pain-free: Pelva Health secures $500K pre-seed funding
Investment led by Groove Capital.
Pelva Health, a startup dedicated to transforming the treatment of vulvovaginal pain during intimacy, has successfully closed a $500,000 pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by Groove Capital, with additional support from DLH Investments (Doug Hickey), Tracy Sher, PT, DPT, CSCS, Michele Hodges, LAMFT, and a host of other notable investors.
Co-founder and CEO Kelley Satoski launched Pelva Health alongside her partner Doug Satoski after experiencing years of persistent vulvovaginal pain with little progress in treatment. The couple’s firsthand struggles with chronic pain and its impact on intimacy inspired them to develop a better solution.
As Kelley shared in her announcement post:
"Doug and I started Pelva after my third year in treatment for, and getting nowhere with, persistent vulvovaginal pain during intimacy (provoked vestibulodynia & vaginismus/GPPPD)."
"Chronic pain is awful. And when it affects your ability to be intimate with the person you love most (often for years!) – it is absolutely devastating – mentally and physically for both partners.”
Determined to find a solution, Doug Satoski took it upon himself to create a breakthrough approach.
"After yet another night in tears surrounded by dilators & lube... Doug promised to build me a better solution. And that was that, because when Doug puts his mind to something, there’s no stopping him."
Pelva Health is on a mission to change the landscape of pain management for those experiencing pain during intimacy.
The company places a strong emphasis on provider partnerships and clinical data generation to ensure evidence-based, effective solutions.
"We are prioritizing partnership with providers and generation of clinical data every step of the way, so that when couples come to us, they can be confident they are getting the best," Satoski noted.
Pelva Health has also been a collective effort, as the duo have worked with an extensive network of mentors, medical advisors, and dedicated team members. Now, Pelva Health is determined to provide relief to the 39 million women and couples affected by vulvovaginal pain during intimacy.
"We see you. We are you. A new solution is coming," Satoski shared.