SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK—Technology agency Eastwick has launched a new health tech practice and forged a partnership with Launchpad Digital Health, a seed investor and next generation digital health tech accelerator, to bring integrated communications support to its portfolio companies.

According to Launchpad, in 2015 venture funding for digital health companies exceeded $4.5 billion, an all-time high. The market also saw almost 270 transactions, each raising at least $2.0 million in venture funding in 2015, with more than half of those occurring for California-based digital health companies and more than one-third for San Francisco Bay-Area based companies.

The partnership with Launchpad Digital Health enables its portfolio companies to access Eastwick’s communications expertise in raising visibility, increasing brand awareness, building relationships with media and influencers, attracting top talent and engaging investors with a clear and concise brand message.

Eastwick’s health tech practice is led by senior vice president of client services Karen Clyne (pictured), who joined the agency in October 2013. Over the past year, Karen has been working to establish key partnerships with various companies in the digital health landscape including Launchpad Digital Health, Limelight Health and Zipari.