Venture Spotlight | Peerwell
The OMERS Ventures team is tasked with identifying promising long-term investment opportunities all around the world. One of their most recent investments is a San Francisco-based company called PeerWell.

PeerWell is a digital health start-up building an end-to-end musculoskeletal condition management app. Musculoskeletal conditions range from joint replacements all the way to chronic back pain and have a significant impact on society. According to PeerWell’s website: “At $190 billion per year, musculoskeletal health accounts for 10% of the total healthcare spend in the U.S. This is 2x more than the combined cost to treat all cancers.”

What does the app do? It allows patients to access comprehensive digital care from their smartphone. As part of their PreHab and ReHab programs, PeerWell offers content related to physical therapy, pain and anxiety management, nutrition, health literacy and the environment. These resources can help patients optimize their recovery or, in some cases, avoid surgery in the first place.

While the app empowers users to take preventative and rehabilitative measures from the comfort of their own home, it isn’t meant to completely replace the healthcare system. In fact, PeerWell acts as an extension of care by working alongside payers, health systems and clinicians to help patients take an active role in their wellness, reduce their recovery time and lower their healthcare costs.

OMERS Ventures is excited to be a part of PeerWell’s journey to disrupt the health care industry and improve the lives of those living with musculoskeletal conditions.