America Online co-founder Steven Case has invested $500 million in a new venture that aims to provide services in sectors poised for dramatic change, including health care and wellness and resort management.

Case revealed the launch Monday of Revolution, a company that promises to build "transformative companies" that provide consumers with greater choice and convenience in fast-changing markets, according to a statement from the Washington, D.C., startup. Revolution will be a holding company for other businesses "in specific sectors approaching periods of disruptions," a spokeswoman says.

Revolution has already acquired several companies, including the purchase, disclosed Monday, of Wisdom Media Group, which provides wellness and health-care programming to cable television and satellite radio. Revolution is also looking "to find companies that are technology firms that meet the criteria" in helping to provide consumers with choices of health-care and wellness services, the spokeswoman says.

The company also is in discussions with health-care providers, including an undisclosed company that could provide outpatient clinics in Target department stores, the spokeswoman says.

"Ninety percent to 95% of health-care spending goes to the treatment for existing illnesses," she says. Revolution will invest in and help to expand businesses, particularly in wellness and preventative services, which accounts for only 5% to 10% of health-care spending, she says.

In addition to Wisdom, Revolution has also recently purchased a controlling interest in Miraval, which operates the Life in Balance wellness resort.