Latest news with #Empathy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Empathy raises $72 million Series C to tackle the agonizing logistics of death
Ron Gura doesn't use the word 'death' every day. 'From a chemistry perspective, we tune out when we hear the word death, because death is our biggest denial. Nobody wants to contemplate their own self-mortality,' says Gura, a longtime entrepreneur who sold his previous company The Gifts Project to eBay. And yet Gura's latest startup is inextricably entwined with the dreaded D-word and the subject most people would rather not talk about. The common fear of mortality ('Nobody wants to admit that we're just ants playing around with fear and greed—yielding stuff, selling stuff, buying stuff, and ending up leaving, just like the others,' Gura tells me in a philosophical moment) is in fact one of the reasons Gura's startup, Empathy, may be so necessary. Empathy is all about using technology to make it easier for people to deal with the most difficult moments in life, such as the death of a loved one. While there are plenty of people and services to soothe the emotional difficulties of the moment, Empathy focuses on the logistical headaches. As anyone who has had to face the loss of a loved one can attest, death brings with it a ferocious maze of estate planning, probate processes, funeral expenses, and financial settlements—all suddenly dumped into the laps of grief-stricken and frequently unprepared family or friends. It's a durational agony: It takes the average person 15 months to tie off the various loose ends and logistical tasks of a deceased loved one's affairs, according to research conducted by Empathy and presented in a report bearing the coldly analytical title Cost of Dying. If the person handling the tasks is the executor of the estate, the number becomes 18 months, the report says. 'Our job is to make loss less hard for more people every day,' said Gura, who cofounded the company and serves as CEO. 'We think it's the largest consumer sector that is still untouched by innovation, specifically in software.' Founded in 2020, Empathy has raised a $72 million Series C, Fortune has exclusively learned. Adams Street Partners led the round, with participation from General Catalyst, Index Ventures, Entrée Capital, Brewer Lane Ventures, SemperVirens, Latitude, and LionTree. Additionally, in a striking move, Aflac, Allianz, Citi, Munich Re, MetLife, New York Life, Securian, and TIAA also invested in the company's Series C—all are also part of the just-unveiled Empathy Alliance, a coalition of organizations partnering with Empathy to improve technology around both death and crises in life. Insurer partnerships are key, said Joel Cutler, cofounder of General Catalyst, via email: 'Empathy is helping insurers build longer term, generational relationships, providing a better customer experience, and as such Empathy is building long-term, deep relationships with the insurers as well.' In recent years, Empathy has expanded throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is now part of the employee benefits programs for Fortune 500 companies like AT&T and Paramount. This approach could expand to other markets characterized by impossibly difficult moments in life, Gura suggested but declined to disclose specifics. Currently, Empathy's products are focused around loss support and legacy planning, with an app that guides families through bereavement tasks as AI-powered tools automate tasks around documents. 'Let machines do what machines do best—refilling information, calculating financials, setting reminders, and customizing very robust to-dos and care plans,' Gura told Fortune. 'You shouldn't be calling Verizon to explain you don't have the passwords and the credentials. You shouldn't worry if your funeral director is trying to rip you off. You shouldn't feel alone at 2 AM.' There are many obvious questions here. Where does tech belong in a grieving process—and where is it invasive? What prevents this from becoming a dystopian nightmare? In part, it's that matter of tech doing what it does best, so humans can focus on what's purely human. And when it comes to data privacy, Gura said that Empathy has taken particular care: The company doesn't share individual personal information with clients, only provides aggregated demographic information, and personal emotional details remain strictly confidential, he told Fortune. And Empathy gets at something true: When a loved one dies, people don't know what to do, emotionally or logistically. No one knows the right thing to say. Tertiary people and problems dominate your days. You spend a lot of time on phone calls, informing people—and still receive more of those phone calls anyway. You worry about funeral costs. You get flowers in the mail, that soon wilt and die themselves. Condolences aren't helpful, sometimes nothing is. But genuine affection and a casserole dish of lasagna come close. Sometimes, the most valuable help is simple logistical assistance. Gura, who knows something about loss, is building a business around the gone and the living—because to think about death is, ultimately, to think about life. Your own, and others. 'If you imagine yourself right now, God forbid, on your last day,' said Gura. 'I'm 90, I'm surrounded by my daughters, my grandkids, and my wife. The house is tidy and nice. I had a great meal—lobster rigatoni, and we had wine. I didn't wake up from my nap. Perfect. Now, what happens the second after I'm gone?' See you tomorrow, Allie GarfinkleX: @agarfinksEmail: a deal for the Term Sheet newsletter here. Nina Ajemian curated the deals section of today's newsletter. Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Empathy Announces $72 Million Series C and Unveils Empathy Alliance
Article content Adams Street Partners leads fundraise alongside General Catalyst, Index Ventures, and strategic investor coalition, positioning company for accelerated product innovation and further expansion Article content Article content NEW YORK — Empathy, the leading technology company transforming how the world plans for and manages life's toughest moments, announced today a $72 million Series C fundraise led by Adams Street Partners with participation from General Catalyst, Index Ventures, Entrée Capital, Brewer Lane Ventures, SemperVirens, Latitude, and LionTree, bringing total capital raised to $162 million. Alongside this most recent round, the company has formalized the Empathy Alliance, a coalition of market leaders and luminaries passionate about reimagining cultural standards around access to support. With a commitment to fund innovation that moves the industry forward, members of the Empathy Alliance who participated in the company's Series C include Aflac Ventures, Allianz Life Ventures, Citi Impact Fund, Munich Re, MetLife, New York Life, Securian, and TIAA Ventures. Article content This announcement follows Empathy's recent category expansion into legacy planning and preparation with Empathy LifeVault™, broadening its platform to allow individuals to create and securely store legally binding estate plans and essential documents in minutes. Launched in 2021, Empathy's leading loss support solution has eased logistical and emotional burdens for millions of people, including one in five life insurance claimants, through partnerships with renowned financial institutions and over one thousand employers. Article content With increased distribution over the past four years, Empathy provides coverage for over 45 million lives, and in the past four months, seven million individuals have received access to LifeVault through partners like Aflac, New York Life, Voya, and more, demonstrating the company's rapid growth with thoughtful carriers and progressive employers, through its product ecosystem. AI has become an integral part of Empathy's platform, introduced to enhance the Care Team's speed, accuracy, and reach through real-time insights, guidance, and automation. While AI plays a crucial role in providing support at scale, human care remains central to Empathy's mission. Building on Empathy's recent momentum, this investment will further deepen capabilities, accelerate innovation, scale the platform offerings, and expand reach. Article content 'We're honored to support millions of families in their toughest times, and to have earned the trust of leading organizations, partnering with major financial institutions and some of the most progressive employers to deliver compassionate tech at scale,' said Ron Gura, Co-Founder & CEO of Empathy. 'We're proud to be at the forefront of revolutionizing industry standards and societal expectations around loss, and this milestone is not just a testament to Empathy's progress, but to the larger cultural shift that's occurring. Throughout life, we all will encounter moments that are financially, logistically, and emotionally taxing, and we see it as a privilege and responsibility to apply our expertise and direct meaningful resources toward tackling these challenges and raising the standard of support.' Article content 'Empathy is addressing a critical need with a thoughtful, mission-driven approach to supporting families through life's challenging moments,' said Tom Bremner, Partner, Growth Equity at Adams Street. 'We're excited to partner with the Empathy team and support the company's continued growth as it expands access to essential resources through innovation and industry-leading partnerships.' Article content Empathy is currently available throughout North America, including every U.S. state and Canada, in partnership with leading firms, including eight of the top ten U.S. life insurers. The company also supports comprehensive employee bereavement benefits for Fortune 500 companies. Empathy continues to raise awareness of societal attitudes around loss and to address the stigma around the conversation. Last month, the company released its fourth annual research report on the Grief Tax, which uncovered the cost of loss, not just in dollars and time, but also its impacts on health, relationships, and careers. The new data revealed a gap in current support and benefits, as well as the collective understanding of the compounding effects grief can have within society. Article content Fueled by the momentum of recent growth and deep insight into what's been demonstrated as a universal and apparent need, Empathy is committed to expanding its support ecosystem to encompass more modes of care that will open up access and support families during life's most difficult moments. Article content Empathy is a leading technology company transforming the way people plan for and navigate life's toughest moments. Serving more than 45 million policyholders across North America with loss support, Empathy currently partners with eight of the top ten U.S. life insurance carriers and handles one in five life insurance claims in the U.S. beyond the payout. With $162 million in funding from top-tier venture firms including Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Adams Street Partners, and other leading funds, as well as strategic investment from global financial institutions and Empathy Alliance partners, Empathy combines cutting-edge innovation with compassion to provide unparalleled support for bereavement, estate management, legacy planning, and more. Recognized by Apple, Google Play, and Fast Company, Empathy is setting the standard for modern family care and workplace benefits. Learn more at Article content The Empathy Alliance is a coalition of organizations, thought leaders, and practitioners seeking to advance the future of compassionate technology. Led by Empathy and together with strategic partners, including investors from the Series C, the Alliance will guide innovation that reimagines standards of and access to support during life's most challenging moments, helping to foster greater societal readiness and resilience. The Alliance is comprised of executives and investors across some of the most notable insurance and financial institutions including Aflac Ventures, Allianz Life Ventures, Citi Impact Fund, MassMutual, MetLife, Munich Re, New York Life, Securian, Sumitomo Life, and TIAA Ventures. To learn more, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
National Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Nextiva Launches Customer Experience Day – A New Global Holiday Celebrating the Power of Putting Customers First in Business
Article content SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On May 15th, which will be the 17th anniversary of the company's founding, join Nextiva to celebrate the future of customer experience—where AI-driven technology empowers the people redefining how businesses engage, serve, and build lasting relationships with their customers. Article content Article content Nextiva, a leader in unified customer experience management, has established Customer Experience Day —a new annual international observance held every May 15 to recognize the people and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Article content Customer Experience Day celebrates the rising importance of empathy, innovation, and human connection in business, and invites organizations of all sizes to participate by honoring their customer-facing teams, sharing stories of standout service, and reflecting on the evolving role of CX in today's marketplace. Article content When: May 15, 2025 (and annually moving forward) Article content Where: Article content Why: In a world where technology is rapidly transforming how businesses engage with customers, this new observance puts the spotlight back on the human side of the experience—acknowledging that every memorable brand interaction starts with a person who chooses to go the extra mile. Article content Nextiva powers over a million users and billions of interactions annually with its customer experience platform. From one AI-powered customer experience hub, Nextiva Unified-CXM transforms how businesses engage with their customers with orchestrated customer journeys that help businesses acquire, retain, and grow customers. The company's commitment to Amazing Service® and a customer-focused approach has been the cornerstone of its success. Nextiva was established in 2008 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Discover more at Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aflac (NYSE:AFL) Expands Empathy Partnership Offering Free Digital Legacy Planning Services
Aflac is expanding its partnership with Empathy to provide the LifeVault service at no additional cost to certain group term life insurance certificate holders, effective July 1, 2025. During the past month, Aflac's share price moved by 3.8%, an increase that likely adds weight to broader market trends, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 rose modestly amid other mixed stock activities. Aflac's recent partnership announcement and dividend declaration of $0.58 per share provide a positive backdrop, though the company's first-quarter earnings reported significant declines in net income and earnings per share. We've identified 1 weakness with Aflac and understanding the impact should be part of your investment process. NYSE:AFL Revenue & Expenses Breakdown as at May 2025 We've found 19 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. The recent partnership between Aflac and Empathy, along with the dividend declaration, could bolster investor confidence despite the challenges highlighted. Over the past five years, Aflac's total shareholder return was a very large 255.63%, including dividends, underscoring its long-term performance strength. For context, Aflac's stock price has done better than both the US market and Insurance industry over the past year, despite a notable 32.8% decline in earnings, surpassing the broader US market's 8.2% return and the US Insurance industry's 17.1% return. This suggests resilience even amid current headwinds. In terms of potential business impacts, the partnership aims to enhance Aflac's product offerings, which might support future revenue and earnings forecasts by addressing segment challenges, particularly in the U.S. dental and vision markets. However, external factors like yen-dollar volatility and commercial real estate uncertainty could still pose risks to revenue and credit quality. Currently, Aflac's share price of US$108.60 is about 2.9% above the analysts' consensus price target of US$105.54, suggesting the market might already be pricing in some of the expected future growth and risks enumerated by analysts. The valuation report we've compiled suggests that Aflac's current price could be inflated. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aflac expands partnership with Empathy to offer enhanced legacy planning services with LifeVault™
"The time to plan for inevitabilities in life is before they happen, and that includes the final wishes of individuals facing end of life challenges. End of life is a reality that people are often uncomfortable discussing, which is why Aflac wants to help ease and dignify this process," said Aflac Senior Vice President, Life, Absence and Disability Solutions, Scott A. Beeman. "We believe adding LifeVault to our portfolio, which provides grief support and enables members to plan for the future with greater confidence so that families will be better protected financially and emotionally, will help provide peace of mind for our members and their families when a loved one has passed." COLUMBUS, Ga., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac , a leading provider of health supplemental insurance in the U.S., is expanding its partnership with Empathy, an innovative technology company that provides compassionate, on-demand support to families in life's most challenging moments, from dealing with the loss of a loved one to planning for their future. Effective July 1, Empathy LifeVault™ will be available at no additional cost to some new and existing group term life insurance certificate holders covered by Aflac. Story Continues "From day one, Empathy was built to work hand in hand with financial institutions and life insurance carriers, as a trusted partner that helps these industries evolve to better serve families during their time of need," said Ron Gura, Co-Founder and CEO of Empathy. "We believe that the most meaningful way to transform how people prepare for and experience loss is by embedding compassionate, intuitive technology within the institutions they already rely on. Aflac's decision to partner with Empathy, and now to integrate LifeVault, underscores the success of this vision, expanding access while reinforcing the critical role insurers and financial institutions play in shaping a more prepared, supported future for families everywhere." For more information, visit . ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for nearly seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 19 consecutive years (2025) and Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 24 years (2025). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2024) for 11 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at or Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at under "Sustainability." 1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report ABOUT EMPATHY Empathy is a leading technology company transforming the way people plan for and navigate life's toughest moments. Serving over 40 million people across North America, Empathy currently partners with seven of the top ten U.S. life insurance carriers and handles one in five life insurance claims nationwide. With $90 million in funding from top-tier venture firms including Index Ventures and General Catalyst, as well as strategic investment from global insurance leaders including Allianz, MassMutual, MetLife, New York Life, Securian, and Sumitomo, Empathy combines cutting-edge innovation with compassion to provide unparalleled support for bereavement, estate management, legacy planning, and more. Recognized by Apple, Google Play, and Fast Company, Empathy is setting the standard for modern family care and workplace benefits. Learn more at . Group life, disability and absence services are provided by Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC); in New York, products and services are provided by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York; in California, coverage is offered by Continental American Life Insurance Company. Products may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state law. These services are intended for general purposes and are not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice. Empathy may not be available in some states in connection with this partnership. CAIC's affiliation with the Value-Added Service providers is limited only to a marketing alliance, and CAIC and the Value-Added Service providers are not under any sort of mutual ownership, joint venture, or are otherwise related. CAIC makes no representations or warranties regarding the Value-Added Service providers and does not own or administer any of the products or services provided by the Value-Added Service providers. Each Value-Added Service provider offers its products and services subject to its own terms, limitations and exclusions. Value-Added Services are not available in Idaho, Minnesota or New Mexico. State availability may vary. Continental American Insurance Company, a proud member of the Aflac family of insurers, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated. Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@ Media contact: Estela Weinmann, press@ Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@ Cision View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Aflac
