Today, Beckley Retreats, a psilocybin retreats and holistic wellbeing company, announced the first close of its seed round with a $1.5 million investment led by Iter Investments and with participation by The Joe and Sandy Samberg Foundation and 5D World.
Beckley Retreats offers the most comprehensive psychedelic program currently available on the market with a 4-week virtual preparation protocol leading up to the 5-day immersive retreat, followed by a 6-week virtual integration program. This program has been carefully designed, using the decades of scientific research that has been spear-headed by Beckley Retreat's co-founder, Amanda Feilding and her Beckley Foundation, for individuals on a quest for personal development and spiritual growth.
With this new funding, Beckley Retreats will expand operations, increasing the number of its science-backed transformational programs in Jamaica and the Netherlands to meet growing demand. The programs not only include psilocybin (or psilocybin truffle) ceremonies, but are also supplemented by breathwork, meditation, mindful movement, and expertly designed nutrition, as well as the pre- and post-retreat protocols that have been informed by the latest research in psychology and neuroscience.
Beckley Retreats is part of the expanding Beckley ecosystem of mission-driven psychedelic organizations, which have all been founded or co-founded by Amanda Feilding, recently dubbed the “queen of psychedelics” by The Economist. Feilding has co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed scientific studies, and was a friend of and thought-partner to older psychedelic pioneers such as Albert Hofmann, Sasha and Ann Shulgin, Terence McKenna, and many others.
Amanda's co-founder at Beckley Retreats is Neil Markey, who, after serving as a Captain in the US Army Special Operations, 2nd Ranger Battalion, began experimenting with alternative wellbeing practices and psychedelics to help work through his depression and PTSD.
Markey says: “Access to legal and professionally-executed psychedelic experiences are few and far between. Our connection to the Beckley Foundation enables us to provide programming that is rooted in science, while also respecting, acknowledging, and giving back to the lineages that have carried this ancient wisdom into the modern world. We are honored to provide this opportunity for North Americans seeking personal development through the safe and legal use of psychedelics, and we are grateful that our early investors see the potential in what we're doing.”
As the lead investor for this Seed round, Dustin Robinson, Managing Principal at Iter Investments, said: “Since our fund's inception in April 2021, we've spoken to dozens of retreat companies. However, none of those retreat companies fit the high standards of our investment criteria. We are grateful finally to have found a company that does meet our expectations. Beckley Retreats is exactly what we've been looking for with a world-class team and an operational strategy that makes them poised to be the breakout leader in the retreat space. The Iter team looks forward to working with Beckley Retreats to build a scalable business model that provides transformational experiences to thousands of individuals.”
As contributing investors, Joe Samberg said: “Sandy and I, through our Foundation, are thrilled to support the Beckley Retreats team in their efforts to build a trusted brand, scale the business, and ultimately make these transformational experiences more affordable and accessible to the broader population. By curating these experiences in group sessions in a safe and secure setting, Beckley is helping foster a new paradigm for mental health and wellness; creating stronger human connections and community for all.”
About Beckley Retreats
Beckley Retreats is a leading science-backed psilocybin retreats and holistic wellbeing company, offering self-development programs in the Netherlands and Jamaica. The startup belongs to the ecosystem of the Beckley Foundation – one of the world's top psychedelic research institutions led by Amanda Feilding, dubbed the “hidden hand” behind the renaissance of psychedelic science. Through this connection, Beckley Retreats has direct access to modern psychedelic science, implementing this research into its programming and protocols. In addition to its psilocybin retreats, Beckley Retreats has expanded its operations to include research collaborations and datasets, thereby helping to set a precedent and best-practices for the reemergence of psychedelics in modern society.
About Iter Investments:
Iter Investments is an investment firm that deploys capital in and around the burgeoning psychedelic industry. Iter Investments invests with the mission of re-imagining how the mental health and wellness industry delivers care. For more information, visit www.iterinvestments.com or email contact@iterinvestments.com.
About The Joe and Sandy Samberg Foundation:
The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation is committed to supporting and empowering individuals, families and communities through funding non-profit organizations in select program areas. The primary focus is on assisting the underserved throughout the lifespan - from physical & mental health, to food security, education and employment. Joe & Sandy approach their role in philanthropy as lifelong learners and with an entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative ethos. Given their New York roots, they have a special interest in New York-based charities.
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