Google-backed Cityblock raises $192M in funding to expand health care model to Medicaid and lower-income Medicare beneficiaries

It’s been well over three years since we last covered Cityblock, a health tech startup launched as part of Google’s Sidewalk experimental “projects” with a focus on improving health in urban communities. A few months before our coverage, Cityblock Health Co-Founder and CEO, Iyah Romm, shared the company’s mission in a blog post on the Sidewalk website: “The healthcare system is failing many of our families and communities. Our new company aims to build a scalable solution to address the root causes of health for underserved urban populations.”

Fast forward three years later, Cityblock announced today that it has closed a $192 million Series C extension funding round to accelerate deployment of its community and value-based care model nationwide, bringing desperately needed transformation to the most vulnerable and underserved communities across the country.

The round was led by new investor Tiger Global, with participation from existing investors including Kinnevik AB, Maverick Ventures, General Catalyst, Wellington Management, Thrive Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Echo Health Ventures, 8VC, and AIMS Imprint of Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The latest round brings Cityblock’s total fundraising since its founding in 2017 to about $500 million.

Founded in 2017, CityBlock is one of Google’s Sidewalk experimental “projects.” The startup partners with community-based organizations and health plans to deliver medical care, behavioral health, and social services virtually, in-home, and in their community-based clinics. Modern technology is at the core of the model, with custom-built tools to support every facet of care team operations and member interactions. Cityblock currently serves 70,000 members across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC.

“As one of the only value-based, comprehensive providers solving specifically for the Medicaid population, Cityblock is tackling a much needed and very ignored problem,” said Scott Shleifer of Tiger Global. “We are thrilled to join the team working to revolutionize care for underserved populations.”

COVID-19 has reinforced the need for a radical transformation of community health. To help drive equity right now when people need it most, Cityblock, who serves lower-income communities across New York in partnership with EmblemHealth, recently announced the opening of a new, permanent COVID-19 vaccination site in collaboration with New York City and the Brooksville Company at Spring Creek Towers, an affordable housing development in Brooklyn, New York.

In just four years since its launch, Cityblock has achieved positive results with its comprehensive care model. Data from Cityblock’s first member cohort pointed to a 15% reduction in emergency room visits and a 20% reduction in in-patient hospital stays. Cityblock sees around 70% member engagement compared to the health plan average of 5-7% member engagement and receives average NPS scores of over 85, compared to the provider average of 15. While delivering these outcomes, Cityblock is experiencing 3x year-over-year revenue growth.

“We’re incredibly proud and grateful that some of the world’s best and brightest healthcare minds have joined us,” said Iyah Romm, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cityblock. “But more than anything, we’re excited for what this level of capital investment means for our member population. It’s clear that there is increased awareness of this massive problem of health inequity. We’re starting to see urgency from investors and industry leaders alike.”