WellTheory, a virtual platform for autoimmune care, is partnering with Instacart to embed grocery stipends into its care model. The partnership addresses a critical gap in autoimmune care: access to nutritious, anti-inflammatory foods, according to the companies.
By integrating Instacart's Health Fresh Funds, more than 300,000 eligible WellTheory members can purchase clinically recommended groceries to support healthier nutrition decisions.
Autoimmune patients often face significant barriers to accessing the right foods — from affordability and availability to the daily friction of turning dietary guidance into actionable shopping decisions. The new Instacart partnership supports WellTheory’s mission to fill the gaps left behind by traditional healthcare and provide whole-person care that addresses the root causes of autoimmunity, executives said.
Instacart reaches more than 98% of U.S. households, including 95% of those located in food deserts and nearly 98% of households enrolled in SNAP, the grocery technology company said.
“Nutrition is at the core of WellTheory’s mission to reverse the autoimmune epidemic, yet patients face real obstacles in translating clinical nutrition guidance into their daily lives,” said Claire Rudolph, co-founder and head of product at WellTheory, in a statement. “There’s so much friction — from knowing what foods to buy to affording and accessing them. Our partnership with Instacart removes these barriers, making it easier for our members to follow evidence-based dietary protocols and truly nourish their healing journeys.”
WellTheory partners with leading employers and health plans, including Maven Clinic and Sentara, to provide virtual, whole-person care that addresses the complex needs of autoimmune patients. The company's program aims to address the root causes of autoimmunity through nutrition, lifestyle changes and ongoing personalized support from a care team of registered dietitians and board-certified health coaches.
The startup, founded three years ago, has been rapidly expanding in 2025. In the past year alone, WellTheory has seen 10× year-over-year member growth and 5× year-over-year revenue growth, executives said.
In October, WellTheory picked up $14 million in series A funding led by General Catalyst. The funding round was backed by new and existing investors, including 7wire Ventures, Ingeborg Investments, Accel, Box Group, Leaps by Bayer and Up2 Opportunity Fund. The company has raised $26.2 million in total capital.
WellTheory is using the funding to fuel commercial growth, accelerate AI development and expand programs that meet growing demand from employers and payers.
“At Instacart, we believe food is one of the most powerful tools to support better health,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of health at Instacart, in a statement. “Through Instacart Health and our consumer technology, we're helping partners like WellTheory integrate nutrition directly into patient care – turning clinical guidance into action by making it easier for patients to access the right foods to support their health from the comfort of home.”