Daniel Månsson, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Flow Neuroscience (HAX 10), first had the idea for his startup when he came across a transformative technology known as transCranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Daniel had spent years as a clinical therapist, consulting patients one on one to help them manage their conditions, but was trying to find a way to scale his efforts to help more with their mental health needs.
Flow’s solution utilizes a proprietary headset which allows patients to administer tCDS treatments without a doctor, a process which delivers a weak current to the brain and stimulates the surrounding neurons. This treatment, when combined with behavioral therapy, helps patients manage and treat their mental health conditions.
The Flow treatment is also the first approved treatment of its kind in Europe available to buy and use at home. Clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the British Journal of Psychiatry showed that tDCS had a similar impact as antidepressant medication, but with fewer and less-severe side effects.
Until recently, the tCDS treatment used only by licensed physicians in a clinical setting. Flow worked hands on with the HAX team to design and launch their headset, which is easy and safe for users anywhere in the world where their treatment is approved.
Daniel and his team hope to help provide better and more diverse treatment options to those suffering from mental health conditions who might not want to rely on pharmaceuticals or talk therapy.
“We think it’s extremely important that people have access to a large toolbox to treat the conditions that they have. We aren’t against any treatments, but we are here to provide something that could not only replace but also augment current treatment options,” said Daniel Mansson.
Flow has seen increased interest in their treatment solution as a result of Covid-19, as many patients are searching for at home alternatives, and talk therapists are seeing a record high amount of interest.
Flow closed a $1.1M Seed round in 2018 with participation from Khosla Ventures and SOSV, and plans to continue expansion across the world in different markets as they receive the necessary approvals.