Melinda French Gates-backed startup Tia cuts 23% of staff

Women’s healthcare company Tia, backed by Melinda French Gates, has cut 72 jobs, reducing its workforce by 23 per cent across corporate and clinical divisions.

Chief executive Felicity Yost told staff on Monday that the company would downsize as part of a plan to accelerate its path to profitability, according to Business Insider.

The cuts affected 17 corporate employees, 27 clinical providers and 28 field support operations roles.

Yost said feedback received during recent fundraising discussions prompted the company’s reassessment.

In an internal memo reported by Business Insider, she said Tia had been told to “rethink our business in the current economic and policy climate, which is one that prizes cost and profit-consciousness.”

A Tia spokesperson said the company “has seen strong growth, particularly in membership, which has outpaced our expectations for 2025.”

Beyond the job cuts, Tia has reduced executive pay and is reviewing vendor contracts to lower costs.

Management told employees they need to “creatively rethink how we optimise our administrative and care support roles across a broader range of responsibilities.”

Tia operates 11 clinics across the US — six in Los Angeles, two in New York City, one in San Francisco and two in Arizona.

The company provides integrated healthcare for women, including primary care, gynaecology, mental health support, and complementary treatments such as acupuncture and skincare.

Patients can choose between two payment models: Tia Essential, which allows pay-per-visit access using insurance, and a US$25-per-month membership that offers expanded benefits such as priority scheduling and coordinated lab and referral support.

The startup raised US$100m in a Series B funding round in 2021 and later secured extension funding from Pivotal Ventures, founded by Melinda French Gates, bringing total investment to US$150m.