Sproutel

Sproutel operates as a patient-centered research and development studio, founded in February 2012 by Aaron Horowitz and Hannah Chung. The company, which now also operates under the name Empath Labs, focuses on creating interactive and play-based healthcare products for children with chronic illnesses. The founders' journey is deeply rooted in personal experience; Horowitz's childhood with human growth hormone deficiency and Chung's family history with diabetes inspired their mission to infuse empathy and patient-centric design into healthcare.

Both founders graduated from Northwestern University, where they developed their first product concept. Horowitz created his own major in Mechatronics and User Interaction Design, while Chung studied Mechanical Engineering and co-founded Design for America, a network for social impact projects. Their work gained early recognition, including being honored as makers by the White House and President Obama.

Sproutel's business model centers on partnering with healthcare companies, pharmaceutical firms, and nonprofits to research, design, and launch products. Revenue is generated through these collaborations, where Sproutel develops products that are often distributed at no cost to families through their partners. For instance, their collaboration with Aflac on My Special Aflac Duck involved a significant investment from the insurance giant to develop and deliver the therapeutic toys.

The company's primary clients are large organizations in the healthcare sector, such as Aflac, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and Committee for Children. The business operates in the pediatric health, robotics, and educational games markets. Their products are designed to provide comfort, joy, and education, helping children and families manage complex health conditions. One of their key offerings is a "Clinical Companions Platform," which utilizes their interactive companions to support pediatric patients in clinical trials.

Sproutel’s most notable products are interactive, robotic companions. "Jerry the Bear" was their first product, designed to help children with type 1 diabetes learn to manage their condition through play, such as checking blood sugar, counting carbs, and administering insulin via an associated app. "My Special Aflac Duck" is a social robot for children with cancer and sickle cell disease. It features lifelike movements, responds to touch, and uses emoji cards to help children express their emotions, aiming to reduce distress during treatment. Another product, the "Purrble" Companion, was created with the Committee for Children to help kids manage anxiety by calming the toy's racing heartbeat through touch.

Keywords: pediatric health, patient-centered design, interactive companions, medical play, chronic illness management, therapeutic toys, health education, social robotics, digital therapeutics, child life, patient engagement, healthcare innovation, R&D studio, venture studio, Aaron Horowitz, Hannah Chung, Jerry the Bear, My Special Aflac Duck, Empath Labs, pediatric clinical trials