Philly’s NeuroFlow won $500K in a VA challenge for suicide prevention

Veteran-founded mental health tech platform maker NeuroFlow is one of 10 companies to receive prize funding from the US Department of Veterans Affairs for Mission Daybreak, a public-health focused suicide prevention initiative.

The Philly company has had a busy last few years. Its flagship software allows clinicians to see data from wearable devices, assign tasks such as meditation or journaling for patients to complete at home, and send automated motivational emails, as well as alert those in crisis to emergency services. The platform can also be part of a self-management regimen for those looking to improve awareness of their own mental health.

In 2020, NeuroFlow partnered with the US Air Force on a yearlong contract that helped administrators monitor the “combat readiness” of airmen. The tech allowed administrators to create a more streamlined process for identifying at-risk individuals, as well as adjust their treatment plans in real-time.

Then in early 2021, the company raised a $20 million Series B round to continue scaling its operations in data analytics, artificial intelligence and direct health record integrations. In 2022, a $25 million bridge round followed, and the company set up a Center City office with the aim of being a hub for the tech community to gather.

The Mission Daybreak initiative started last May, with a call for concepts that would combat veteran suicide rates from veteran service organizations, community-based organizations, health tech companies, startups and universities.

“To be effective, prevention solutions must meet individuals where they are, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach,” per an announcement from the initiative. “As veterans reflect the diversity of the US population, new solutions and interventions that offer healing and recovery to veterans will also support suicide prevention efforts for all communities.”

More than 1,300 ideas were submitted, which were narrowed to 30 challenge finalists who each received $250,000 and advanced to Phase 2, a virtual accelerator for which Amazon and Microsoft were tech partners. During Phase 1, teams also had access to resources like technical webinars, and a collection of open data, surveys and reports on veteran welfare and suicide prevention. The finalists had the chance to speak about their solution with challenge judges and representatives from the VA, veteran service organizations, Capitol Hill and policy institutes at a demo day. Ten winners total were chosen.

NeuroFlow was named among five third-place winners, and received $500,000. Over the course of the challenge, $20 million was distributed to 40 teams across the two phases.

“We want veterans, service members, and their families to know that they do not need to fight in silence. There are people and tools available to help before problems get worse,” NeuroFlow VP of Clinical Operations Matt Miclette said in a statement. “Suicide must not be a taboo if we’re to address it together. We’re grateful for the work of Luminary Labs and the VA, teaming up to devote the necessary time and resources to this challenge. We are humbled, coming from our military roots, to be among these incredible awardees that have identified novel ways to address suicide within the US healthcare system today.”