Rosy Wellness, an evidence-based tech platform providing education and resources for women with low sexual desire, has announced a $1 million seed funding round.

The Dallas-based startup has an app designed by MDs that provides users with a sexual wellness score, access to an extensive library of education and a community where women can openly discuss their sex lives.

“My goal with Rosy is to use modern technology to make education and resources easily accessible for the millions of women who need it,” said Rosy Founder and CEO Dr. Lyndsey Harper in a statement. “As an OB-GYN, we don’t even have the training to treat female sexual dysfunction, yet male sexual dysfunction research and treatment options have been on the market for decades. After I kept hitting a wall searching for available resources, I realized it was my responsibility to help not only my patients but women across the country.”

Harper was recently featured as one of our innovators and disruptors in Dallas-Fort Worth having a breakout moment this year. [Photo: Michael Samples]

Rosy was founded after Harper’s own experience as an OB-GYN. She grew frustrated that a common complaint among her patients was low libido, but they didn’t have an adequate place to address their decreased sexual desire. Not to mention, OB-GYNs weren’t receiving medical training to address the issue.

So decided to create a one-stop-shop for trusted information and resources, leaving private practice in 2018 to champion women’s sexual education and begin building Rosy.

The app taps into a widespread issue, offering help to more than 30 million women who need it nationwide. Recognizing there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, Rosy uses a holistic approach to improve sexual function, self-esteem, overall health, and strengthen relationships.

The goal is to reduce the shame and isolation women experience around sex. There’s an educational library that offers over 100 short video lessons, guided classes, romantic stories, and a community for anonymous questions. Rosy has so far partnered with more than 2,500 healthcare providers that are recommending the app to their patients and creating content.

Soon to launch this spring is Rosy Telehealth, a first-of-its-kind service connecting women to medical and mental health providers who specialize in women’s sexual health. Harper, who was recently featured as one of our Future 50 innovators and disruptors you need to know in Dallas Innovates 2020: The Magazine, told us the addition will add a comprehensive solution for extremely common issues, which is both long-awaited and desperately needed.

“We are committed to changing the way that the world thinks about women’s sexual health,” Harper says. “Rosy is incredibly proud to completely change the landscape for women’s health around the country from right here in Dallas.”

Rosy is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play. [Image: Courtesy Rosy]

Rosy was incubated by Dialexa—a Dallas-based technology research, design, and creation firm founded by her husband, Scott Harper—and has been subsequently funded by angel and VC investments.

The recent funding includes local angel investors Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish, a healthy food blog and Laura Baldwin, managing director of Golden Seeds, a national angel network investing in female-led companies.

“Rosy is solving a real problem for all women. We have been embarrassed for far too long to bring up the very topic of sex with our partner, our friends, even with our own doctor,” Snodgrass said in a statement. “Rosy is breaking down that stigma and helping women to take back control of their sexual health supported by research-based tools and information. Lyndsey is a true champion for lifting up women, and it’s been incredible to hear the stories of lives changed and relationships improved from Rosy users.”

Additional investors included: James Beshara, founder and CEO of tilt, which was acquired by Airbnb; Erin Newman, M.D., a Dallas-based OB-GYN; and VC funds Joyance Partners and Social Starts.

“When you meet Lyndsey, it’s apparent that she is on a mission to make healthcare resources more accessible to women by using technology,” Beshara said in a statement. “I had no idea this issue was so prevalent. Women don’t have even close to the same number of resources as men and investing in companies like Rosy is essential for closing that healthcare gap.”

On the heels of the announcement, Harper is headed to the Bay Area this weekend to compete in the SoGal Global Pitch Competition.

In November, The SoGal Foundation, a platform for the empowerment and education of diverse entrepreneurs and investors, brought a round of its Global Pitch Competition to Dallas. The three winners were Harper, Farhaj Mayan of Dallas-based Kanna, and Houston’s Smriti Agrawal Zaneveld, who pitched Lazarus 3D.

Alex Edwards contributed to this report.

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