MindAhead

Founded in 2022 and based in Berlin, Germany, MindAhead is a digital health company focused on cognitive decline. The company was established by a team that includes Nina Kiwit (CEO), Manuel Kraus (CPO), Pasquale Fedele (CTO), and Patrick Fissler, PhD (CSO). The founders' backgrounds are rooted in digital health, psychology, and neuroscience. Nina Kiwit is a serial entrepreneur with experience as COO for several digital health startups. Manuel Kraus, who previously founded the app Stresscoach, holds a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology and was inspired by his grandmother's battle with dementia. Patrick Fissler is a neuroscientist and postdoctoral researcher, bringing deep scientific expertise to the venture.

MindAhead has developed a digital therapy application designed for individuals experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia. The company's core product is a Class I medical device available on iOS and Android, which employs behavioral activation therapy. This therapeutic approach focuses on encouraging users to engage in meaningful and enjoyable social, physical, and cognitive activities to enhance their quality of life and slow cognitive decline. The app features a three-month program with educational materials, activity suggestions, and routine check-ins, all designed with simple controls and large fonts to be accessible for an older demographic. Unlike other apps that may focus on cognitive puzzles, MindAhead's method is based on the principle that behavioral activation can yield more holistic and lasting benefits for brain health.

The company's business model targets the digital health market, specifically seeking to become a prescribed digital therapy (DiGA) in Germany. This would allow doctors to prescribe the MindAhead app to patients, with costs covered by health insurance. The planned revenue model is based on a prescription price of around €300, with the potential for two prescriptions per year per patient. The company has successfully raised $541K in a seed funding round in January 2023, led by RoX Health and supported by investors such as CDP Venture Capital and WD Beteiligungs. MindAhead also boasts a distinguished scientific advisory board with experts from institutions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins.

Keywords: digital therapeutics, cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, dementia care, behavioral activation therapy, brain health, digital health, neuro-technology, prescribed health apps, geriatric care, cognitive health, mobile health, DiGA, Class I medical device, personalized therapy, cognitive training, mental wellness, aging population, telehealth, preventative healthcare