Lightyear Capital LLC (“Lightyear”), a New York-based private equity firm, has completed a strategic investment in CuraLinc Healthcare. CuraLinc is an innovative provider of employee assistance (EAP), student and workforce mental health programs, including personalized solutions that engage, empower, and support employees, members, and students throughout their mental health care journey.
Founded in 2008, CuraLinc is a leader in workforce mental health benefits, covering approximately 9 million employees and students across more than 4,200 clients around the world, including numerous Fortune 500 employers. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefit services including mental health counseling and coaching, crisis support, text therapy, digital group therapy, management consultation, mental health navigation and advocacy, student assistance programs, and digital cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT).
“We are excited to partner with the entire CuraLinc team,” said Mark Vassallo, Managing Partner at Lightyear. “The CuraLinc investment continues Lightyear’s long history and experience in healthcare, employee benefits and insurance distribution, including our successful exits of Therapy Brands, Alegeus and Datalot. We look forward to supporting CuraLinc’s leadership in this next phase of growth.”
“In Lightyear, we found a partner who aligns with our values and champions founder-led businesses,” said Sean Fogarty, Founder and President of CuraLinc. “We believe we will benefit from Lightyear’s deep domain expertise in employee benefits and mental health care, expansive operating network, and strong reputation as a preferred partner to management teams. With this new capital and collaboration, we will drive continued growth and innovation to better serve our customers.”
Michael Langer, Managing Director at Lightyear, said, “Access to care and treatment for mental health issues remains out of reach for most of the U.S. population even though approximately one in four adults experiences mental illness each year. The average wait time for behavioral health counseling is six weeks, and nearly 50% of those suffering from a mental illness do not seek treatment. We believe the value proposition that CuraLinc offers helps to address some of the most critical issues in healthcare today.”
Michal Petrzela, Managing Director at Lightyear, added, “CuraLinc has established itself as a differentiated, best-in-class workforce mental health and EAP company. We are excited to leverage our experience and operating network in employee benefits and distribution and mental health to capitalize on a growing market opportunity.”
Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP served as legal counsel, and Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to Lightyear. Locke Lord LLP served as legal counsel, and The Chicago Corporation served as financial advisor to CuraLinc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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