The neurodevelopmental condition known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is massive; according to the renowned ADHD authority, Dr. Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., 13 million American adults (4-5%) deal with its impacts every day. ADHD may make it difficult to regulate emotions and complete everyday tasks at work and at home. It often leads to anxiety, depression, relationship problems, personal/professional stress and disruption, substance abuse, and more.
The impacts of ADHD disproportionately affect women, BIPOC individuals, and those from lower-income families. For example, 50-75% of women with ADHD go undiagnosed and there are massive trickle down effects to self-esteem, self-worth, and other conditions like anxiety and depression. Medication is frequently prescribed to treat ADHD and it can be extremely helpful, however the modern approach advocates for mixed treatment which includes coaching.
To help the millions of adults dealing with the challenges associated with ADHD, digital health startup Shimmer is launching their science-informed and evidence-based coaching platform. Shimmer’s program, developed by leading ADHD experts including those from NYU and UCSF, provides a highly affordable solution using expert ADHD coaches and mini or “bite-sized” live sessions paired with an accountability system. It is personalized to each member’s unique needs and everything is accessible via mobile phone—easily fitting into a person’s everyday life.
Shimmer is also announcing $1.3M in seed funding from investors including Y Combinator, Honeystone Ventures (founded by Stanford GSB professors), Koa Labs, Megan Hall (VP, CVS Health), and Gaingels, among others.
Shimmer Co-founder & CEO Chris Wang, who herself was diagnosed with ADHD, shares: “My life was paved with ‘too’ this, ‘can’t’ that, and ‘stop’ these: Chris, you’re too talkative, too disruptive, can’t listen, can’t follow instructions, stop moving, stop daydreaming. I was always wrong. After finally getting diagnosed earlier this year, I felt light; I had a name, an explanation, and path forward. However, what I quickly found was that resources for adults were few and far between, designed with the 5-year-old boy in mind, and focused solely on ‘fixing’ me. So, we asked ourselves: how can we create a gold standard adult ADHD experience that is not only quality and affordable, but both builds up the messy parts of ADHD (like executive dysfunction) and celebrates and strengthens the positives like creativity, empathy, and energy?”
Shimmer memberships start at $99 per month, which is 5 to 10 times more affordable than traditional ADHD coaching. It matches users to a coach and includes weekly 15-minute video sessions and ongoing support and accountability through the app.
