Prince Harry takes a job at Silicon Valley start-up
Prince Harry has a new title: tech executive.
The Duke of Sussex is the newest employee of BetterUp, a Silicon Valley start-up, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. No longer a working member of the British royal family, Harry will serve as “chief impact officer” for the company.
BetterUp “brings together world-class coaching, AI technology, and behavioral science experts” to help people “live more meaningful, vibrant lives,” according to the company’s website. It works with corporations to identify employees who could benefit from coaching and gives them “a personalized path to growth – so you’re able to tap into the employees most prepared to transform your business.”
Harry, who has been vocal about his struggles with mental health, has been working with one of BetterUp’s coaches and using the app himself. But his unusual background apparently made filling out the initial multiple-choice questionnaire a bit of a challenge.
“I realize I’m an outlier so there’s no need to get the engineers on it!” he told the Wall Street Journal, adding, “I was matched with my coach who, quite frankly, is truly awesome and has always given me sound advice and a fresh perspective, which is so valuable.”
Harry’s role within the company doesn’t involve supervising direct reports, according to the paper. He is set to provide input on product strategy and corporate giving. It also means that the Duke of Sussex will serve as a public face of the company, which touts its partnerships with the likes of Hilton, Google and Lyft.
Harry joins the executive team as BetterUp continues its rapid growth. Founded in 2013, the company touts a network of more than 2,000 coaches, with several big name businesses among its clients, including Hilton, Warner Media and Chevron. The company claims it has served more than 100,000 members since its founding and has more than 270 employees.
As organizations and the broader public have become more attuned to mental health and wellness, employers have turned to a variety of resources to offer up to their staff, including online mentoring and counseling. Last month, BetterUp raised $125 million from investors, valuing the company at $1.73 billion. The latest financing round was led by Iconiq Growth and included existing and new investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures.
All told, BetterUp has raised $300 million, which investors have said the company will use to fuel its international growth. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, chief executive Alexi Robichaux said the company is eyeing an initial public offering but did not provide a timeline.
Harry’s role within the company does not involve supervising direct reports, according to the Journal. He is set to provide input on product strategy and corporate giving while serving as a public face of the company.
The duke has long campaigned for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about his struggles following the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12. In an interview with the Telegraph in 2017, he said he sought therapy after he “shut down all emotions” during two decades of grief, and also took up boxing in an attempt to help manage his anxiety.