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Brightn Secures Investment from InnoVenture Iowa to Accelerate AI-Powered Mental Wellness Innovation

Emilie Mauricio

January 15, 2026

•

3 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emilie Mauricio | emilie@brightnapp.com
Cedar Rapids, Iowa — December 2nd, 2025

Brightn, a mental wellness platform that embeds directly into existing healthcare infrastructure, today announced it has secured investment from InnoVenture Iowa (IVCCF), the state’s first publicly funded venture capital fund dedicated to scaling high-growth companies.

This investment underscores a shared commitment to deploying proactive, preventative mental health solutions at scale, moving away from reactive treatment models. Brightn utilizes proprietary AI to deliver personalized, upstream wellness guidance directly within the systems individuals use daily, such as PBMs, MSOs, and charter schools.

Why This Investment Matters

The funding arrives as the nation faces a critical and escalating mental health crisis, demanding solutions that are both scalable and immediately accessible. Brightn’s platform is designed to:

Bring Wellness Upstream: Shifting focus from crisis intervention to daily resilience building, helping individuals improve adherence to care and strengthen overall wellbeing across health, wealth, and purpose.
Target Health System Efficiency: Integrating directly with existing partners, including Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Management Services Organizations (MSOs), to reduce long-term costs and prevent the escalation of mental health challenges.
Validate Novel Approach: InnoVenture Iowa recognized Brightn’s unique ability to meet users where they already are, validating the demand for embedded, preventative mental health technology.

Kaylee Williams, Investment Director at Innoventure Iowa, shared why the firm chose to invest in Brightn:

“We invested in Brightn for two main reasons: the strength and commitment of the leadership team, and the traction the company has already demonstrated. The product addresses a timely and increasingly relevant problem in our world today - the mental health crisis - with a novel approach that meets users where they already are. The partnerships Brightn has established are a promising indicator of continued market expansion, and the measurable outcomes demonstrated by early customers gives us confidence that Brightn not only improves, but enriches users’ lives.”

Williams also emphasized why this is the right moment for this type of innovation:

“Mental health impacts our daily lives in every way imaginable.There has never been a greater need for solutions that address challenges such as loneliness, isolation and incidents of depression.. We believe technology can help solve this problem, and Brightn is positioned to be a first-mover, leveraging artificial intelligence in a way that personalizes the experience for each unique user.”

InnoVenture Iowa, established in 2022 through a collaboration between the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and BioConnect Iowa, plays a crucial role in strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem using funds received from the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

“We’re honored to have Innoventure Iowa’s support. Their belief in our mission strengthens our commitment to building accessible, preventative mental wellness support that fits within the healthcare system—not outside of it. This investment fuels our next phase of growth as we scale deployments with PBMs, MSOs, employers, and provider networks.”

– Jeffrey Johnston, Founder and CEO of Brightn.

Brightn continues to build momentum, demonstrating strong early engagement metrics that reflect the growing national need for daily, upstream support to improve continuity between clinical visits and prevent acuity escalation.

About InnoVenture Iowa

InnoVenture Iowa is the state’s first publicly funded venture capital fund, created to support innovative, high-growth companies across key sectors of Iowa’s economy. Formally launched in October 2022 through collaboration with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and BioConnect Iowa, the fund invests in founders building solutions that strengthen Iowa’s economic future. Learn more at www.innoventureiowa.com.

About Brightn

Brightn is an AI-powered mental wellness platform that embeds directly into healthcare infrastructure to deliver proactive, personalized support. Built around the three pillars of Health, Wealth, and Purpose, Brightn combines AI-guided journaling, mood tracking, medication support, and personalized planning to help individuals build resilience and improve wellbeing. Brightn partners with PBMs, healthcare organizations, schools, and employers committed to expanding access to mental wellness. Visit www.brightn.app to learn more.

Download the Brightn app today!

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