Amelia Virtual Care raises seven million to continue its expansion in the U.S.

The use of virtual reality for the treatment of all types of disorders, from common phobias to anxiety or depression. With the purpose of continuing to develop this innovative product, the Barcelona startup Amelia Virtual Care, formerly known as Psious, has raised seven million euros, which it will use to boost its growth in the United States and strengthen its presence in Europe. The investment has been led by the London pledge fund ENDRA and CDTI, an entity dependent on the Ministry of Science and Innovation. Other investors of the company such as Sabadell Asabys, Caixa Capital Risc and CG Ventures have also participated in the operation.

Since its founding in 2016, the technology company has been immersed in different restructuring processes to consolidate its expansion in the United States, its main market. The most significant change occurred at the beginning of this year, with a commitment to a new name, leaving behind the original brand Psious and opting to pay homage to the first woman who dared to cross the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart, seen as "a nod to all those brave people who embark on the path of innovation."

Amelia Virtual Care allows the patient to experience firsthand those situations they want to avoid or are unable to manage. The psychologist is by their side at all times, observing how they develop in each segment facing the problem that troubles them and notes their reactions to extract the necessary information.

The startup, based in Barcelona and San Francisco, offers its product to 2,000 therapists and has conducted more than 200,000 sessions, mostly in private centers, but also public ones, with a presence in Barcelona hospitals such as Clínic, Vall d'Hebron or Sant Pau. Its clients are distributed among the United States (40%), Spain (30%) and other European countries.

To achieve this geographical expansion, the Series A round closed in 2019, worth six million euros and with the support of Sabadell Asabys and Caixa Capital Risc, was key. The resources it obtained also allowed it to hire more employees, going from a dozen two years ago to more than 60 today.

The name change has also been accompanied by a renovation in the top management. The until now CEO of Psious, Xavier Palomer, has given way to Afsana Akhter, a professional with extensive commercial experience in the health sector in the United States. The company has also incorporated Raúl Peris as General Director of Operations. Palomer, also founder of Psious, remains as executive chairman.