Warsaw, 15th November 2024 – Benefit Systems acquired a majority stake in a bValue Fund II portfolio company Wellbee, a leading mental health wellbeing platform. This transaction highlights the growing importance of mental health services and further validates our early-stage investment strategy.
Wellbee’s Growth and Strategic Importance
Wellbee, founded by Paweł Chrzan and Dariusz Milewski, has positioned itself as a vital player in the mental health sector, offering services to both B2B and B2C clients. With the mental wellbeing market in Poland valued at approximately EUR 1.2 billion and a significant portion of the population suffering from mental health issues, Wellbee is well-equipped to meet increasing demand for accessible mental health solutions. The platform serves as a crucial link between patients and mental health professionals, making it an essential resource in today’s society.
bValue Fund’s Continued Involvement
bValue Fund will retain its shares to continue contributing to the company’s growth within an earn-out programme. This strategic decision allows us to further support Wellbee and deliver better return on capital to the investors. The founders will also remain shareholders, working collaboratively with the bValue team to foster ongoing development and expansion of the platform.
Having invested in Wellbee just 1.5 years ago, we proved our market intuition in identifying attractive opportunities within the M&A market. This will be a third exit for bValue Fund II [vintage 2020] which will bring the capital returns for investors to almost 40% of the initial invested capital.
Supportive Role of bValue Fund
Throughout its investment period, bValue Fund has played a critical role in enhancing Wellbee’s corporate governance and operational processes. The fund has focused on talent sourcing and supporting the rollout of Wellbee’s B2B offerings, ensuring that the company is well-prepared for future growth. This proactive approach has been instrumental in establishing a solid foundation for Wellbee’s continued success.
Reflections on the Acquisition
“Our decision to remain shareholders reflects our belief in Wellbee’s potential to drive significant change in the mental health landscape. We are excited about the synergies that will emerge from this acquisition by Benefit Systems and look forward to supporting Wellbee as it continues to grow – Maciej Balsewicz, Founder and Managing Partner at bValue Fund:
“With this new chapter under Benefit Systems, we are eager to enhance our platform further and expand our reach. Together with bValue we will continue to address the increasing demand for mental health services.” – Paweł Chrzan, Co-Founder at Wellbee
Conclusion
The exit from Wellbee marks a significant milestone for bValue Fund as it continues to explore opportunities within the healthcare sector. By retaining shares and collaborating with both Benefit Systems and Wellbee’s founders, bValue is poised to contribute to a transformative journey in mental health wellbeing while capitalising on the growing market potential.