Shimmer, a Y Combinator graduate offering a coaching platform for adults, has successfully raised $2.2 million in seed funding, led by Worklife Ventures and Seed to B. The platform is tailored for adults with ADHD, featuring personalized one-on-one video coaching, productivity tools, and scientifically-backed learning modules. It connects users with an ADHD coach to help them achieve goals, foster positive change, and boost productivity.
Founded in 2021 by CEO Christal Wang and CTO Vikram Sreedhar, Shimmer was born out of personal experience and entrepreneurial spirit. Wang, a neurodiverse entrepreneur, left Berkeley-Haas’ MBA/MPH program to launch Shimmer. Sreedhar, a Stanford alum, had previously established a nonprofit named Make A Difference (M.A.D.).
Wang shared with TechCrunch her personal journey with ADHD, explaining the relief of diagnosis after years of feeling out of place. Initially prescribed Adderall, she sought behavioral solutions, aligning with her cultural background’s cautious approach to medication. Discovering ADHD coaching, she found it promising yet prohibitively expensive, with costs around $300 per hour and a lack of guidance in selecting a suitable coach.
To address this gap, Wang and Sreedhar designed Shimmer as an affordable ADHD coaching platform. Shimmer offers various packages, with the most popular providing weekly 30-minute sessions for $230 per month, and other options for 15-minute or 45-minute sessions at different price points.
Upon joining Shimmer, users complete an initial questionnaire about their ADHD, challenges, and coaching preferences. They are then matched with one of Shimmer’s 30+ coaches and given access to diverse resources and exercises. Regular weekly sessions with coaches help users progress towards their goals, supplemented by tasks such as meditation experiments and morning routine adjustments.
Shimmer primarily serves individuals aged 20 to 50, addressing common issues like time management, emotional resilience, self-confidence, habit formation, procrastination, and overall productivity. Since its launch in October 2022, Shimmer has facilitated over 15,000 coaching sessions and is accessible on iOS, Android, and the web.
The newly acquired funds will be used to collaborate with providers and employers to make ADHD coaching more affordable. Additionally, Shimmer aims to incorporate AI to enhance coaching efficiency without losing authenticity.
Investors including Aglaé Ventures, Koa Labs, and Gaingels participated in the seed round, bringing Shimmer’s total funding to $3.5 million. Looking ahead, Shimmer plans to expand its services to include various neurotypes, already venturing into support for autism. The company envisions a future where neurodiverse individuals universally use Shimmer to achieve their goals.
Moreover, Shimmer intends to focus on educating communities about creating inclusive environments for neurodiverse individuals. Future plans include corporate training, community support, and more, as the startup continues to advocate for and support neurodiversity.