Joint Academy

# Joint Academy: Redefining Digital and In-Person Physical Therapy

High-Level Overview

Joint Academy is a digital health company that delivers physical therapy through a hybrid model combining virtual care with in-person clinics.[3][5] Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, the company addresses a critical gap in healthcare access by offering remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) and virtual physical therapy services alongside physical clinic locations.[2][3] Joint Academy serves patients with musculoskeletal conditions—including osteoarthritis, low back pain, and post-surgical recovery—while also providing a software platform (Joint Academy PRO) for clinicians to deliver remote care and manage billing.[2][3]

The company has demonstrated strong growth momentum, expanding from its Swedish base to the UK and US markets. With over 150,000 patients served and 600+ licensed physical therapists, Joint Academy has raised $30 million in total funding, including a $23 million Series B round led by Kinnevik.[4][5] The company claims to deliver 46% average pain reduction in 12 weeks and positions itself as up to 75% less expensive than traditional physical therapy for patients and payers.[3][5]

Origin Story

Joint Academy was founded in 2015 by Jakob Dahlberg (CEO), Daniel Grahn (CTO), and Leif Dahlberg (Chief Medical Officer), with the latter bringing world-class medical expertise as a professor and MD/PhD.[5] The company emerged from a recognition that joint pain was rising globally while traditional physical therapy faced accessibility and cost barriers.[5]

The startup gained early traction through prestigious backing from well-known Swedish investors including Kinnevik, H&M owner Carl-Johan Persson, Sophia Bendz, and Alfvén & Didriksson.[1][4] However, the company faced a critical near-bankruptcy moment when it over-relied on a single large customer—a lesson that fundamentally reshaped its business strategy.[1] In the 18 months following this crisis, Joint Academy pivoted dramatically, diversifying its revenue base through multiple contracts with regional health authorities and private providers, while simultaneously expanding its geographic footprint and service model.[1]

Core Differentiators

• Hybrid care model: Unlike purely digital competitors, Joint Academy operates both virtual therapy platforms and physical clinics (seven in Sweden, expanding in the US), allowing seamless transitions between remote and in-person care.[1][3]

• Clinical credibility: Founded on research and expertise from world-leading medical professionals, with evidence-based treatment protocols that claim 7x greater pain reduction compared to standard care.[5]

• Enterprise software for clinics: Joint Academy PRO provides a complete RTM platform with automated coding, charting, compliance tracking, and revenue cycle integration—enabling independent clinics to monetize remote patient monitoring.[2]

• Insurance integration: In-network with major US insurers and contracted with large health systems including Circle Health Group (UK's largest private hospital provider) and NHS pilot programs in Scotland.[1]

• Diversified revenue streams: Rather than relying on direct-to-consumer subscriptions alone, the company generates revenue through insurance reimbursement, clinic acquisitions, B2B software licensing, and health system contracts.[1][2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Joint Academy operates at the intersection of three major healthcare trends: digital therapeutics adoption, the shift toward value-based care, and the clinician shortage crisis. As healthcare systems worldwide struggle with surgical wait times and rising musculoskeletal disease burden, remote therapeutic monitoring has become reimbursable in major markets, creating a tailwind for companies that can bridge digital and clinical care.[1][3]

The company's acquisition strategy—recently purchasing two Washington state clinics—signals a broader consolidation trend in digital health, where software-first companies are acquiring physical assets to create integrated care networks.[3] This positions Joint Academy not as a pure SaaS play but as a hybrid healthcare operator, competing with both traditional physical therapy chains and digital-native telehealth platforms.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Joint Academy is well-positioned to become a leading digi-physical healthcare platform in musculoskeletal care. The company's recovery from near-bankruptcy demonstrates operational resilience and strategic adaptability—critical traits in regulated healthcare markets. With $30 million in funding and expanding US operations, the next phase will likely focus on scaling clinic acquisitions, deepening insurance partnerships, and proving long-term clinical and economic outcomes at scale.

The broader opportunity is substantial: musculoskeletal conditions represent one of the largest disease burdens globally, yet physical therapy remains underutilized due to access and cost barriers. Joint Academy's model—combining clinical excellence with technology-enabled efficiency—addresses this gap in a way that traditional providers cannot match. Success will depend on maintaining clinical credibility while achieving unit economics that justify continued expansion in expensive US healthcare markets.