Brainhero

High-Level Overview

Brainhero is a Vienna-based medtech startup developing a CE-certified (Class IIa MDR) neurofeedback therapy system for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[1][2][4] The system features a biocompatible, wearable EEG headset paired with gamified software, enabling hybrid therapy—both in-clinic and at home—to improve focus, self-regulation, social interaction, and behavioral flexibility by training brain activity patterns.[1][3] It serves therapists, families, schools, and special education programs, addressing accessibility barriers like high costs and limited availability of traditional neurofeedback, while expanding to early diagnostics for neurological issues like dementia and epilepsy.[1][2][3]

With over 35,000 therapy sessions delivered, Brainhero has shifted to a scalable B2B2C model partnering with therapists across Germany and Austria, backed by a €2.5 million European Commission grant and prior €1.35 million funding.[4] The company collects secure EEG data to personalize treatments and train diagnostic algorithms, targeting underserved groups like girls and ethnic minorities with autism.[1]

Origin Story

Founded in 2018 as a startup under MyMind GmbH (later Brainhero GmbH) in Vienna, Austria, the company emerged from CEO Christof Götz's realization that clinic-based neurofeedback for ASD and ADHD was prohibitively expensive and inaccessible due to costly EEG equipment.[1][2][5] A serial entrepreneur, Götz developed a compact, mobile EEG device for home use with gamification to engage children, leading to Brainhero's launch.[1][4]

Pivotal moments include 2022 EU MDR approval as the first for an EEG-mediated neurofeedback system and a standalone portable EEG device, enabling commercialization.[1][4] By 2024, a business model pivot to B2B2C—fueled by the EIC Accelerator grant—expanded reach, with active use in therapy centers and ongoing R&D into VR variants and home diagnostics.[2][4]

Core Differentiators

• Medically Certified Hardware: Biocompatible, child-specific EEG headset that's non-invasive, comfortable, and far cheaper than traditional devices, supporting high-quality data for neurofeedback training.[1][3]
• Hybrid Therapy Flexibility: Combines professional oversight via a centralized dashboard for progress tracking and adjustments with home-based sessions, ensuring consistency without constant clinic visits.[1][3][4]
• Gamified, Personalized Software: Represents brain activity through engaging games, tailoring protocols (e.g., for hyperactivity vs. attention deficits) using aggregated EEG data for better outcomes in communication, focus, and self-regulation.[1][2][3][4]
• Data-Driven Expansion: Securely collects therapy data to develop AI-assisted diagnostics for autism subtypes, dementia, epilepsy, and more, positioning it beyond therapy into early detection.[1][2]
• Proven Scalability and Credibility: MDR certification validates the full system for EU-wide rollout (with minor localizations), builds trust with insurers, and supports B2B2C growth over direct sales.[4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Brainhero rides the surging demand for personalized HealthTech amid rising global mental health challenges, particularly pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD and ADHD, which affect millions and often go undiagnosed in subgroups.[1][4] Its timing aligns with advances in affordable EEG, AI personalization, and regulatory progress (e.g., MDR), enabling home-based, non-pharmacological alternatives to scarce therapies amid clinician shortages.[1][2][4]

Market forces favoring it include Europe's push for digital health scalability, insurer interest in cost-effective interventions, and data privacy frameworks supporting EEG analytics.[4] Brainhero influences the ecosystem by democratizing neurofeedback—previously clinic-bound—empowering therapists to scale care, integrating with sensory/speech therapy and education, and providing real-world data to refine diagnostics for heterogeneous conditions.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Brainhero is poised for EU expansion post-MDR, leveraging its €2.5M grant and therapist partnerships to commercialize across countries, while advancing VR neurofeedback, epilepsy monitoring, and AI diagnostics for anxiety, depression, and dementia.[1][2][4] Trends like AI-driven personalization, telehealth growth, and mental health funding will accelerate its trajectory, potentially unlocking insurer reimbursements and global markets beyond Europe.

As neurofeedback evolves from niche to mainstream medtech, Brainhero's blend of certified hardware, data insights, and accessibility could redefine pediatric neurology, turning early brain training into a scalable standard for unlocking children's potential.[1][4]