Cervu is building the first comprehensive pelvic health system designed specifically for female cancer survivors suffering from chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
Cervu is developing an innovative at-home pelvic health system that combines a multi-therapy hardware device with a mobile app to deliver personalized care for female cancer survivors.
Core Solution
- Multi-Therapy Device
Enables four key therapies: vaginal stretch training, internal massage, muscle release, and intravaginal vibration—tailored to the ergonomic needs of cancer survivors. - Mobile App Integration
Provides progress tracking, therapy data transmission, individualized care plans, remote supervision, and enhanced patient engagement for better adherence.
Market Need
By 2030, 18.1 million female cancer survivors in the U.S. and E.U. will face long-term side effects from treatment:
- 40% experience chronic pelvic pain
- 50% suffer significant dyspareunia
- 87% consider sexual function important to quality of life
These symptoms negatively affect relationships, body image, self-esteem, and cancer surveillance follow-up.
Current Limitations & Cervu Advantage
Existing solutions require multiple single-function devices (dilators, wands, vibrators) at high cost. Most patients (>95%) pay out-of-pocket for non-regulated products to avoid insurance delays. These lack survivor-specific ergonomics, leading to poor adherence and uncontrolled symptoms.
Cervu’s all-in-one system addresses these gaps with superior design, comfort, and digital support—delivering better outcomes at lower total cost.
Leadership Team
| Role | Name & Credentials | Key Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| CEO & Co-Founder | Dr. Alan Rosenbaum MD, MS (Clinical Research), MS (Biomedical Engineering) |
Bridges clinical, engineering, business, and manufacturing domains to drive aligned strategy. |
| Chief of Staff | Dr. Namita Lokare Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering), MBA |
10+ years in health tech strategy, operations, analytics, and industry partnerships. |
| Chief Clinical Officer | Dr. Caitlyn Tivy DPT (Advanced training in female pelvic health) |
Specializes in integrating medical innovation with clinical practice. |
| CTO | Steve Yauch | 25+ years as electrical engineer and electronics assembly facility owner; multiple successful exits with early-stage startups. |
Cervu’s go-to-market strategy is built around direct-to-consumer e-commerce, leveraging physical therapist recommendations and cancer survivorship communities.
Customer Journey & Sales Drivers
- Patients discuss options with their pelvic physical therapist (typically 2–3 devices recommended).
- Patients research and purchase online, often influenced by support networks.
- Key goal: Ensure Cervu is on the therapist’s recommended list and converts online.
Launch Strategy
- Provider Outreach & Sampling Program
Free samples distributed to clinics and cancer recovery centers so therapists can experience and demonstrate the device. - Discount Incentives
Codes for patients purchasing through participating offices to drive conversion. - Key Partnerships
Secured relationship with Origin Rehab; plans to expand via product sales. - National Presence
Vendor tables at major conferences (APTA, Pelvicon) to generate leads beyond the mid-Atlantic region.
Cervu operates a direct-to-consumer model with two complementary revenue streams:
- Device Sales
Target price of $200—competitive with higher-end regulated devices while offering multi-therapy functionality, superior ergonomics, and app integration. - Recurring App Subscription
$2 per month for premium features, progress tracking, and community access—creating stable, long-term revenue.
This pricing positions Cervu to capture the premium segment while remaining accessible and financially sustainable.
Current Raise
Cervu is raising a $700,000 pre-seed round (unpriced, 80% discount) to provide a 12-month runway.
Use of Proceeds
| Allocation | Percentage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Device Manufacturing | 38.6% | Support cash conversion cycle and produce units for sampling program. |
| Provider Sampling & Charity Care | Variable | Free units to clinics for demonstration and patient access—driving familiarity, recommendations, and goodwill. |
| Conference Presence | Variable | Vendor tables at national PT conferences to expand provider network and sales leads. |
Strategic Value of Showcase
- Direct funding supports manufacturing and sampling critical for provider adoption.
- Participation signals momentum and traction, enhancing attractiveness to other investors.
- Increases visibility and competitive positioning for subsequent scaling.
Cervu’s patent-pending intravaginal device is uniquely designed for female cancer survivors, enabling multiple therapies with superior ergonomics, customizable vibration, and on-device progress indicators.
Validation & Traction
- Recent prototype tested with 22 patients and therapists under NIH Phase I SBIR grant.
- 100% of evaluators scored Cervu ≥3/5 across metrics.
- Superior performance vs. leading competitors in ergonomics (4.14 vs. 2.57), size range (4.50 vs. 3.95), and therapy capability (4.38 vs. 1.94).
Development Status & Timeline
- Final design phase: Improve IP rating.
- Paired mobile app: Wireframe complete; coding underway with partner developer (features include therapy tracking, data transmission, education, reminders, and community integration).
- Target market launch: Q1 2026.
| Source | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Non-dilutive grants (NIH Phase I SBIR, NC State, UNC, NC Biotech Center) | ~$500,000 | Grants |
| Founders' contributions | $87,000 | Equity |
| Friends & Family round | $100,000 | Equity |
Total capital raised to date: ~$687,000.
