Teletherapy company Talkspace hits Nasdaq after completing SPAC merger

The opening day stock prices are listed at $8.90 and the deal is expected to give Talkspace $250 million in growth capital

Six months after announcing its plans for a public exit, digital mental health company Talkspace is finally hitting Nasdaq via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger with Hudson Executive Investment Corp. The deal is expected to give Talkspace $250 million of growth capital.

The opening day price per stock was listed at $8.90, and upon listing, the company had approximately 152 million shares outstanding. Founded in 2012, Talkspace offers virtual therapy. Patients are able to take an online assessment and then find a therapist that meets their needs. A user can choose from different options based on need and budget and then begin to message their therapist.

As part of this deal Talkspace's cofounders, Roni and Oren Frank will continue to head up Talkspace. Hudson Executive Investment's Douglas Braunstein will be the chairman of the board of directors.

Why it matters

This new deal will give the company more money in growth capital, which it plans to use to expand geographically and in scope in order to cover more conditions. Talkspace reports that the company is currently seeing rapid growth. In its Q1 earnings, it reported a 144% year-over-year revenue growth.

"As a public company, we believe we will be able to further enhance access to high-quality mental health services, lowering cost and improving clinical outcomes at scale," Oren Frank, cofounder and CEO of Talkspace, said in a statement.

"Mental health is increasingly recognized as an essential need, and we believe Talkspace's unique ability to treat a wide spectrum of acuities is pivotal to address the vast, unmet and growing demand for behavioral health services in innovative ways. Hudson Executive is an invaluable partner that will bring extensive expertise and relationships to Talkspace and will contribute to advance our mission."

Photo: Talkspace cofounders Roni and Oren Frank