Our modern benefits benefit all

Three engineering students – Alex Frommeyer, Alex Curry, and Dan Dykes cross paths while attending the University of Louisville in Kentucky. With the trio having family ties to the dentistry profession, they discover a disconnect with the affordability and accessibility of dental services. At this time, more than 100 million Americans lack dental coverage.

With an opportunity to modernize the dental industry, they put their engineering and technical backgrounds to work and develop a Bluetooth-connected toothbrush known as the Beam Brush, which would become one of the earliest examples of the Internet of Things in healthcare. The Beam Brush forms the basis for the industry’s first dental wellness program.

The Beam Brush proves successful, selling thousands of toothbrushes across the U.S. At this point in time, the three engineers turn their toothbrush into a company, which they call Beam Dental. The trio relocates from Louisville, Kentucky, to Columbus, Ohio.

Beam receives $5 million in its first Series A financing from Columbus-based venture capital firm, Drive Capital.

Beam sets out to expand beyond the Beam Brush by offering dental benefits to more employers across the country. The company meets insurance filing requirements to begin selling dental policies to employers in California, Ohio, and Texas.

Beam expands its dental benefits to 16 states total, serving thousands of new members nationwide, and partners with VSP to begin selling vision benefits. Additionally, Beam secures $5.5 million in Series B funding led by Lewis & Clark Ventures.

Rebuilding the dental benefits model with a customer-first digital focus, Beam raises more than $22 million in Series C financing led by renowned venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins. This allows Beam to further invest in data-driven technology, including the Beam mobile app, to best serve its members.

A defining moment for Beam, the company accelerates to 40 states, providing dental benefits to more than 50,000 members. Beam triples its employee count from the prior year, growing to nearly 250 people.

During an unprecedented year, Beam significantly grew its member base and employee headcount, approaching 300 employees. Beam partners with Dental Benefits Provider (DBP) to expand its provider network, increasing access points to 400,000 across the country, helping members save on dental costs.

Beam raises $80 million in Series E funding from a group of investors, including Mercato Partners’ growth equity fund, Traverse, bringing its total funding to more than $160 million. It serves employers in 41 states, growing revenue by over 600% in three years and doubling its member base to nearly 180,000 members.¹

¹ Beam Raises $80 Million in Series E Funding to Further Modernize Dental Benefits - Beam Benefits. Published March 2, 2021. Available at: Beam Raises $80 million

Beam evolves into a one-stop shop for ancillary benefits, expanding beyond dental and vision to offer voluntary and group term life, and supplemental health benefits. Beam Dental becomes Beam Benefits, as the company expands into 45 states, serving over 250,000 people, and receives recognition as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country by both Deloitte and Inc. Magazine.

The three engineering students who came together a decade ago to create Beam remain true to their roots, leading and growing the company as Beam enters the next chapter in revolutionizing employee benefits.

Alex Frommeyer
CEO

Alex Curry
Senior Vice President
of Insurance

Dan Dykes
Senior Vice President
of People