Neurode secures $5.3 million for its non-invasive, wearable ADHD solution

Sydney-based startup Neurode has recently raised $5.3 million for its headband solution for people with ADHD. The company focuses on non-invasive brain stimulation as an alternative to ADHD medication. Its headband, which the company says only needs to be worn for 20 minutes a day, is designed to help with focus, memory, and impulse control.

Why a headband?

According to Neurode, traditional ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall aren’t helpful for all of the 366 million people globally who are impacted by ADHD. While therapy and lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial, many find it difficult to adhere to those routines.

Co-founded in 2021 by neuroscientist Nathalie Gouailhardou and electrical engineer Damian Sofrevski, Neurode combines brain monitoring and stimulation technologies into an easy-to-use, at-home device.

Gouailhardou’s personal experience with ADHD played a significant role in developing the product.

“Neurode was born out of my personal struggle to find something that truly helped. I tried nearly every medication, but the side effects always outweighed the benefits,” Gouailhardou said to SmartCompany.

“Like many of our early users, I refuse to compromise on treating my ADHD symptoms if it means dealing with intolerable side effects.”

Neurode’s headband uses light electrical stimulation targeting the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for focus and executive function. This mild stimulation helps balance brain activity, with some users reporting a slight tingling sensation, while others feel nothing at all.

“Our breakthrough is taking a large, expensive brain-imaging device, reducing the cost by 100x, and making it portable for everyday use—without sacrificing data quality. We combine this with a non-invasive way to balance brain activity in order to improve focus, memory and impulsivity without side effects. That’s what makes Neurode different,” Gouailhardou said.

The device also tracks brain activity using light-based sensors to monitor changes over time, helping users understand whether their symptoms are improving.

Gouailhardou also emphasised the personalisation of the device.

“One size fits all approaches do not work in mental health — Neurode is unique in that it can truly personalise the treatment and provide unique brain monitoring data to each user,” Gouailhardou said.

Neurode is addressing the growing need for ADHD support

As ADHD diagnoses increase, particularly among adults, Neurode sees a growing demand for alternative treatments.

“More adults are getting diagnosed with ADHD than ever before. This is because our understanding of ADHD has evolved — many younger girls were overlooked in school years because they present with more inattentive symptoms rather than the hyperactive subtype, so we are seeing lots of women in their later 20s and 30s get diagnosed with ADHD,” Gouailhardou said.

“Adults that are receiving a diagnosis and have lived their life thus far without ADHD medication are questioning whether the benefit of taking stimulants daily outweighs the cost on their health — many experiencing intolerable side effects that include sleep disruption, insomnia, loss of appetite, increased anxiety, dry mouth and racing heart rate.”

According to Gouailhardou, Neurode is receiving thousands of messages from people who have experienced those side effects and have chosen not to take medication for that reason.

“We want to be a solution for these people, who are motivated to improve their productivity but don’t see options that are worth it for them,” Gouailhardou said.

The recent $5.3 million funding round will support improvements and further testing of the headband.

“We raised $5.3 million to refine our product, complete a clinical trial, and now launch our private beta where people can try the headband and give feedback,” Gouailhardou said. People can sign up for the beta on Neurode’s website.

Looking ahead, Neurode sees the potential to expand its technology beyond ADHD treatment, with future applications in monitoring cognitive decline and depression.

Never miss a story: sign up to SmartCompany’s free daily newsletter and find our best stories on LinkedIn.