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Toothbrush startup quip acquires dental plan startup

Earlier in 2018, toothbrush startup quip acquired dental plan startup Afora, a move that both companies hope will foster innovation and development within oral health care. (Photograph: quip)

Thu. 14. June 2018

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NEW YORK, U.S.: New York-based startup quip is a toothbrush-focused company that aims to prove good design can have a greater impact on oral health than quick-fix gimmicks. Earlier in 2018, the forward-thinking company acquired the dental plan startup Afora, which is the first company to join the newly launched quip Labs, a venture studio created to foster innovation and development of emerging oral health products, platforms and services.

“Bringing Afora into quip Labs allows us to accelerate this project towards our mission of supporting our members through all aspects of their oral care routine, from the products they use every day, to the professionals they visit every six months,” said Simon Enever, CEO and co-founder of quip.

Currently only operating in the New York area, Afora’s dental plans start at $25 per month and include fully covered preventive services, such as cleaning, examinations and radiographs, as well as discounted rates on nonpreventive treatments.

“As a practicing dentist, I’ve had to deal with the painful experience of using traditional insurance processes and claims in my practices. That’s one of the reasons I created Afora, and I’m excited to continue building a service that will facilitate more affordable, easier and higher quality care for both patients and dental professionals, and share it with the huge consumer and professional network that quip has amassed over the past three years,” said Afora co-founder Dr. Jeffrey Rappaport.

To support the expansion of quip’s oral health offerings, the company has received around $10 million from Silicon Valley Bank. This financing comes after it received $10 million in funding in 2017 from multiple parties, including Sherpa Capital, Blue Scorpion and Demi Lovato.

Quip’s toothbrushes cost $25 for a plastic one and $45 dollars for a metal one. Users can then sign up to have a new head and battery delivered for $5 every three months, and additional accessories, such as toothpaste, are also available at an extra cost.

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