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Pelago

Virtual clinic for substance use management

101-200 employees
  • Healthcare
  • B2C
  • Social Impact
  • Wellbeing
1732 1st Ave, New York, NY, United States

Company mission

To break down barriers to substance use care that works.

Top investors

53% female employees

83% employee growth in 12 months

Otta's take

Xav Kearney headshot

Xav Kearney

CTO of Otta

Pelago, formerly known as Quit Genius, was founded by a team of medical professionals who observed the lack of clear guidance from doctors on how to effectively quit smoking.

The core of Pelago's product revolves around cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven method for behavioral change. By focusing on replacing negative thoughts and feelings that trigger smoking with healthier, more positive alternatives, Pelago aids users on their journey to quit smoking. Recognizing the staggering $146 billion annual cost of smoking to employers, Pelago collaborates with businesses to reach and support users in their quest to quit.

However, Pelago's mission goes beyond personal wellness, aspiring to address a broader issue. The company believes that by targeting behavioral patterns, it has the potential to prevent a significant portion of the 40% of premature deaths currently attributed to such patterns, a figure that exceeds the impact of the $3 trillion spent globally on healthcare, which currently prevents only 10% of premature deaths. Notably, Pelago's effectiveness is underscored by a study published in JMIR mHealth, which found that it outperformed the NHS Smoke-free app - an impressive feat for a relatively new startup.

Benefits

  • An awesome team culture: We're a team. Our aim is to make work enjoyable, so we work hard but play hard too with regular socials and team-wide activities
  • Health and dental insurance: Our team's well-being is important to us. We offer competitive benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision cover for you and your family
  • Flexible working: We know there is no one-size-fits-all all approach to working arrangements and we're open to remote days and flexible hours
  • Learning and development: We have a self-development pot for each employee and encourage everyone to continue learning and growing
  • Generous paid time off: Quality time outside the office is vital to our team's well-being. We encourage everyone to take time to rest and rejuvenate
  • Accelerate your career: When we win, you win. We're growing at a fast rate and would like you to grow with us. We're excited to support you in taking your career to the next level

Company values

  • Anchor to the mission: We believe in a world where everyone has access to substance use support and we're united in our mission to break down barriers to substance use care that works. We will always put our members first and do what is best for them
  • Break down barriers: We communicate early and often. We speak candidly and treat others respectfully. We're transparent and always default to open communication
  • Be ingenious: We embrace new challenges and brave the open waters together. We thrive on uncertainty. We look at new ways to solve old problems. We challenge the status quo, even when it is uncomfortable
  • Refuse to lose: We're bold, ambitious, and resilient. We realize there is never an easy road to success. Like a captain at the helm, we have the courage and flexibility to change course and steer to shore, even through stormy weather
  • Do more with less: We relish the challenge of doing more with less and stepping outside our comfort zones. We minimize complexity and we don't over-engineer solutions. We treat the company's resources like our own. We put the company's best interest first when making decisions
  • Propel ourselves forward: We're humble about our blind spots and are on a continuous path of self-improvement. We're curious about new approaches and embrace experimentation

Funding (last 2 of 5 rounds)

Mar 2024

$58m

SERIES C

Aug 2022

$15.3m

LATE VC

$150.9m

Total funding

This company has top investors

Founders

Yusuf Sherwani

(Co-Founder & CEO)

Previously founder of Unique Melody, an in-ear headphone brand. Also a Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow at the NHS.

Maroof Ahmed

(Co-Founder & COO)

Previously the founder and CEO of Interview Doctors (a tuition company for aspiring doctors).

Sarim Siddiqui

(Co-Founder)

Previously Doctor at Imperial College. Also a Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow at the NHS.

Endorsements

All

Meaningful work (5)

My opinions are valued (3)

Great work is recognised (3)

Flexible working (3)

Focus on employee wellbeing (3)

Opportunities to learn (2)

Challenging work (1)

Manageable workload (1)

Nice people (1)

Intelligent people (1)

I have never worked for a company which values people as much as Quit Genius does. One example out of many is that we have one 'ME' day per quarter where everyone gets a day off to do what they like outside work.

Software Engineering

Focus on employee wellbeing

Apr 2022

The communication channel is very open in every level. I feel like i can communicate with the senior leadership without any hesitation. Great ideas are always welcome and we have numerous channels like company all hands, engineering off sites and regular meetings, OKR meetings and several others where everyone can voice opinions

Software Engineering

My opinions are valued

Apr 2022

I have a very open communication with my manager about pay and progression. I have been with the company for a few months and there has already been a hike without even asking for it. This is definitely something that Quit Genius excel in where your efforts and contributions are truly reflected in your compensation rather than having numerous conversations with your manager about it

Software Engineering

Fair compensation

Apr 2022

From the get-go, it was clear to me that our founders really care about their employees. We’re recognised and rewarded for our hard work and being valued inspires me to continue to deliver my best work.

Design

Great work is recognised

Apr 2022

The product that we’re building will have such an incredible impact on so many lives and as a Visual Designer, it’s an amazing feeling to know that I’m designing for good.

Design

Meaningful work

Apr 2022

Quit Genius recognises that there’s no one size fits when it comes to ways of working. We’re given the complete freedom to work to a schedule that suits us. Having a healthy work-life balance definitely promotes a happy and loyal workforce.

Design

Flexible working

Apr 2022

We get to work on an innovative product that's really changing the game when it comes to addiction care! It's not easy but it's incredibly fulfilling.

Product

Challenging work

Apr 2022

The team at Quit Genius are smart and driven - it's great working and learning from them every day, especially my peers in the Product and engineering teams.

Product

Intelligent people

Apr 2022

At Quit Genius, hard work is definitely recognised and appreciate. We celebrate the wins and the leadership team genuinely care about how people feel.

Product

Great work is recognised

Apr 2022

I love working at Quit Genius as it is such a mission driven company. What we do every day helps people overcome substance addictions and saves lives. The whole team is really focussed around this mission and it makes the job so rewarding.

Operations & Strategy

Meaningful work

Apr 2022

I am constantly learning and challenging myself every day at Quit Genius. I love the environment that fosters learning and it is one of the core values of the company. There is also plenty of opportunity for personal development and scaling myself which is great.

Operations & Strategy

Opportunities to learn

Apr 2022

Quit Genius has a great leadership team that care about the opinions of others. On top of this, I always feel like my thoughts are listened to because there is a flat hierarchy here as part of the culture. It is also super transparent which is great.

Operations & Strategy

My opinions are valued

Apr 2022

The mission at Quit Genius is incredibly meaningful and quantifiable - no wishy washy language. Everyone in the team is united to help individuals overcome substance addictions. The pandemic has made this an even more pressing issue.

Design

Meaningful work

Apr 2022

Pretty much from day one the work I took on has had a direct impact on the product and a lot of trust was placed in my hands. Quit Genius isn't the kind of place where you need to painstakingly earn trust - everyone respects you from the start and you immediately get a place at the table. Your opinions are really valued.

Design

My opinions are valued

Apr 2022

I have been impressed at how much employee wellbeing is valued. My manager constantly checks in with me about my workload, and you're encouraged to delegate and do less things, but do them really well, vs. rushing to complete as many tasks as possible.

Design

Manageable workload

Apr 2022

The company mission is really empowering, the day-to-day work we are doing is helping millions of people. Seeing the positive feedback from our members is really rewarding and keeps us focussed and driven to achieve our goals.

Design

Meaningful work

Apr 2022

The team is really lovely, there is no ego or politics and there is a genuine passion amongst employees to work together to achieve our mission.

Design

Nice people

Apr 2022

There is a lot of autonomy behind our work, we're empowered to drive projects forward and take the lead. The products themselves are innovative and leading the way in the addiction space. Every project is a unique challenge.

Design

Innovative product

Apr 2022

At Quit Genius, constructive feedback is always given across the board to make sure the individual and company is developing at the desired rate for effective growth.

People, HR, Recruitment

Great work is recognised

Apr 2022

Working in a remote position and having the ability to be flexible with my working pattern is something I appreciate every day. I have a young family so the option of starting earlier or finishing later is something I really like.

People, HR, Recruitment

Flexible working

Apr 2022

The chance of working with industry leaders in a range of different departments allows the opportunity to learn in new areas. My department leader is always encouraging me to access training courses and resources to help me develop in my role.

People, HR, Recruitment

Opportunities to learn

Apr 2022

The solution we are developing is helping people fight their addictions, through the content we deliver and the support of the coaches. This is especially important in light of COVID

Software Engineering

Meaningful work

Apr 2022

The company has quarterly "Me days" where we are free to do anything we like, with the idea being it gives you time to focus on what you enjoy outside of work.

Software Engineering

Focus on employee wellbeing

Apr 2022

The company is growing quickly, but in a controlled way. Roles are identified where needed filling gaps that appear as the growth increases.

Software Engineering

Growing fast

Apr 2022

The company is pretty good at creating a great work / life balance. We have access to a free subscription for Calm, we got our Yoga sessions, a "Me time" day off offered quarterly by the company and lastly, people trust you and do not micro-manage you, which feels great!

Design

Focus on employee wellbeing

Apr 2022

If you need to go to the doctor, pick up your kids at school or just you want to work from home, there is no problem, you can do it. you can choose your working hours that works best for you, what matter is that you do the job!

Design

Flexible working

Apr 2022

I have been working for a few different companies in the past and there is none that have a meaningful mission as Quit Genius! Your work has an impact on people's life and this is the best feeling! I love to read the comments from the people that used our product to tell us how we managed to help them, it is the best reward your can get!

Design

Inspiring mission

Apr 2022