NEEDED

“OPTIMAL NUTRITION BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER PREGNANCY”

 

CAUSES

DELIVER GOOD HEALTH
ChamPion SELF-ESTEEM
(UNSDG 3 GooD Health & Wellbeing)

DEAL DATE

31ST AUGUST 2023

CHECK SIZE

10M USD SERIES A

INITIATIVES

ACTIVELY ADDRESSING the DIVERSITY Gap in clinical research

ABOUT

Needed is known for its system of radically better, science-backed nutritional supplements for women in the perinatal stage. Since launching in 2021, Needed has rapidly expanded its product offering to become the most complete perinatal nutrition system on the market - a wide range of targeted support for egg and sperm quality, lactation, stress, sleep, and hydration. The company’s products and educational content are designed around the latest research and clinical insights from the more than 4,000 women’s health experts who recommend Needed.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

 

Julie and Ryan, co-founders of Needed

 

Julie Sawaya

I grew up in a family of medical doctors including my dad, an MD who was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 5. I learned at a young age the power of nutrition to influence our health-and how under-emphasized nutrition is in our current medical system. I set out to change that, studying the problem of unequal access to quality nutrition, and later training as a nutritionist myself. I am passionate about championing nutrition as the way to our health, especially as women in the perinatal stage. We have the power to create a multi-generational impact. My passion for our mission has only grown since giving birth to my two daughters and experiencing the ups and downs of fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood myself.

Ryan Woodbury

My interest in nutrition and health grew out of my interest in the environment. As a young girl in California, I started volunteering at a local aquarium, leading educational tours to teach kids about marine science and environmental advocacy. It was clear to me, even then, that our health as humans is directly connected to the health of our environment. Advocating for broader awareness of the human and environmental health connection has carried through much of my life. I believe fundamentally that nourishing mamas will directly support nourished communities and a nourished planet. 

 

 

"Needed is uniquely positioned to challenge the failed status quo and improve health outcomes for women and their families."

JAMIE SWANGO The Craftory
 

THE DEAL

The Craftory’s current investment in Needed is a Series A funding of $10m. The Company will use the capital to help fund expansion of Needed Labs, product innovation, and content creation. The Craftory is the lead investor in this round.

 
 
 

More About NEEDED AND NEEDED LABS

Most perinatal supplements adhere to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which represents bare minimum nutrient levels needed to avoid a disease condition rather than optimal nutrition. Much of the supporting research excludes pregnant or lactating women and lacks racial and ethnic diversity. These outdated research practices, combined with a lag between research and product development, have led to a crisis in which women’s optimal nutritional needs in their childbearing years, pregnancy and postpartum are not widely accepted or addressed.

Needed Labs aims to revolutionize maternal and infant health through pioneering research challenging prevailing norms. We’re launching a unique study on women's nutritional status during pregnancy and advancing an integrative Nutritional Care™ model, proven to drastically reduce preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes rates compared to national averages.

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