Calm
Digital health company specializing in meditation, sleep, and relaxation applications designed to reduce anxiety and improve mental well-being.
Company Type
private
Founded
2012
Headquarters
San Francisco, California, USA
About Calm
Calm provides meditation products and services through its mobile application available on iPhone and Android devices. The company's primary offerings include guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and relaxation programs.
The app features content narrated by well-known voices including celebrities and mental health professionals. Calm's sleep stories, which became one of its most popular features, are designed to help users fall asleep through narrated stories and soundscapes.
Following the acquisition of Ripple Health Group and launch of Calm Health, the company expanded into clinical mental health services. Calm Health offers programs through traditional healthcare providers, initially focusing on anxiety and depression treatment.
Calm operates on a subscription-based model, offering premium content and features through paid memberships while providing some basic content for free to attract new users.
History of Calm
Calm was founded on May 4, 2012, by Michael Acton Smith and Alex Tew. Smith, known for creating the entertainment company Mind Candy, brought extensive experience in digital entertainment and business building. Tew was known for creating the Million Dollar Homepage website.
The company launched its meditation app with a focus on providing guided meditations, sleep stories, and relaxation techniques. Tamara Levitt joined as Head of Mindfulness in November 2014 and became one of the app's primary narrators, contributing significantly to the content library.
Calm gained significant traction and was named Apple's "App of the Year" in 2017, providing major visibility and user growth. The company generated $22 million in revenue in 2017 and reached an annual revenue run rate of $75 million that same year.
By 2018, Calm was ranked by Inc. as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. In February 2019, the company achieved unicorn status with a $1 billion valuation following its $116 million in total funding.
In February 2022, Calm acquired Ripple Health Group, a technology company focused on connecting users with healthcare options. This acquisition led to the launch of Calm Health in October 2022, expanding the company's services into traditional healthcare through providers, payers, and employers.
The company faced challenges in 2022, laying off 20% of its workforce (approximately 90 employees) in August as part of restructuring efforts. Despite these challenges, Calm reached 4 million paid subscribers by November 2022.
Brands Owned by Calm
Calm owns 0 brands in our database.
Calm Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition as a leading meditation app
- +Large user base with over 4 million paid subscribers
- +Diverse content library including popular sleep stories
- +Expansion into clinical mental health through Calm Health
- +Celebrity partnerships and high-profile content collaborations
Considerations
- -Intense competition from Headspace and other meditation apps
- -Dependence on subscription revenue for growth
- -Content creation costs for maintaining quality and variety
- -Regulatory requirements for healthcare applications
- -Market saturation in the meditation app space
Frequently Asked Questions About Calm
Is Calm a publicly traded company?
No, Calm is a privately held company. Despite achieving unicorn status with a $1 billion valuation in 2019, the company has not gone public and remains privately owned.
Who founded Calm?
Calm was founded in 2012 by Michael Acton Smith and Alex Tew. Smith previously founded Mind Candy, while Tew was known for creating the Million Dollar Homepage.
What is Calm's valuation?
Calm was valued at $1 billion as of 2019 following its funding rounds. The company has raised over $116 million from investors including Insight Venture Partners and Sound Ventures.
How many subscribers does Calm have?
Calm has over 4 million paid subscribers as of November 2022, with millions more using the free content available on the platform.
What services does Calm offer?
Calm offers guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and relaxation programs. Through Calm Health, it also provides clinical mental health services through healthcare providers and employers.
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