Cylinder is a Chicago-based technology startup revolutionizing digestive healthcare through a virtual platform that delivers personalized, clinician-backed care for gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Founded in 2021 (formerly Vivante Health), it serves employers and health plans as an employee benefit, targeting the 40% of people affected by daily GI problems like GERD, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, bloating, and gas, which drive 8.3 million annual ER visits and $136 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.[3][5][6] Cylinder connects members to GI doctors, dietitians, and health coaches via an intuitive app, offering individualized care plans that reduce healthcare spend (e.g., 15% reduction in one employer case study), cut ER visits and admissions, and deliver up to 5:1 ROI with 13% employee engagement; it has served over 100,000 people across all 50 states, earning spots on the 2025 New York Digital Health 100 and other accolades.[3][5][6]
Its growth momentum is strong, marked by strategic acquisitions like AI-powered stool imaging from Dieta Health, peer-reviewed clinical results, and partnerships with entities like Texas A&M University and US Foods, positioning it as a leader in accessible, tech-driven GI care.[5][6]
Cylinder was founded in 2021 by Bill Snyder, its CEO, emerging from Vivante Health to address gaps in digestive healthcare accessibility.[3][5] Snyder, leveraging insights into the healthcare landscape, built a "human-first" virtual platform amid rising demand for convenient GI solutions, as GI issues impact daily life and balloon healthcare costs.[3][5] Early traction came from its employer-benefit model, demonstrating rapid results like a 300% ROI in a large employer case study with reduced ER visits and inpatient stays; pivotal moments include the 2025 acquisition of Dieta Health's AI tech and national recognitions, such as the New York Digital Health 100, fueling expansion.[3][5][6]
Cylinder rides the wave of digital health expansion, particularly in virtual care for chronic conditions, as telehealth adoption surges post-pandemic and employers prioritize cost-saving wellness benefits amid $136B GI-related expenses.[5][6] Timing is ideal: GI issues top ER drivers, yet access remains fragmented; Cylinder's platform aligns with AI-health trends (e.g., imaging tools) and holistic care demands, reducing systemic burdens like absenteeism.[3][5] It influences the ecosystem by setting benchmarks for ROI-driven digestive health, inspiring employer adoption and peer-reviewed innovation, while integrating care ecosystems for better outcomes.[3][6]
Cylinder is poised for accelerated growth through AI enhancements, clinical trials, and employer expansions, potentially capturing more of the massive GI market as research links digestive health to overall wellness.[3][5] Trends like AI diagnostics and value-based care will propel it, evolving its influence from niche provider to mainstream digestive health standard—building on its "convenient, personalized, affordable" promise to transform lives and cut costs at scale.[3][5][6] This positions Cylinder as a beacon in healthcare innovation, directly tackling everyday GI struggles with tech-forward precision.
Cylinder has raised $47.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Cylinder's investors include 7wire Ventures, Digitalis Ventures, Hubrix Ventures, Mercato Partners, L.D. Salmanson.
Cylinder has raised $47.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $31.0M Series B in September 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2023 | $31.0M Series B | 7wire Ventures, Digitalis Ventures, Hubrix Ventures, Mercato Partners, L.D. Salmanson | |
| Mar 1, 2022 | $16.0M Series A | 7wire Ventures, Digitalis Ventures, Hubrix Ventures, L.D. Salmanson |
