In a significant milestone for tech-enabled addiction support, Sunflower has announced a $350,000+ pre-seed funding round, which will fuel the development of its AI-powered platform aimed at supporting sobriety. The funding round was led by impact-driven investors who are focused on tech solutions tackling health and wellness challenges. Sunflower’s proprietary “AI Sponsor” is at the core of this venture, offering users an always-available, personalized companion on their path to recovery.
A Mission-Driven Founder with Proven Growth Expertise
Sunflower was founded by Koby Conrad, a well-known figure in health tech. Prior to founding Sunflower, Koby served as Head of Growth at Rupa Health, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company from $5 million to $75 million in annual lab sales, ultimately leading to Rupa’s acquisition by Fullscript for an undisclosed amount. Conrad, a Y Combinator S19 alumni, brings his extensive experience in scaling health and wellness solutions to Sunflower, aiming to apply those growth principles to create widespread access to addiction recovery resources.
“We believe that AI can act as a true companion, offering personalized support any time a user is struggling,” said Koby Conrad. “The idea is to make sobriety feel not only achievable but rewarding. Our goal is to create one billion sober days, giving people an accessible, stigma-free resource that’s available at their fingertips.”
A Revolutionary Approach to Sobriety with AI at Its Core
Sunflower’s AI Sponsor aims to emulate the support traditionally provided by human sponsors in addiction recovery programs. Designed to respond to users’ needs on-demand, the AI Sponsor combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), journaling tools, and real-time intervention strategies, creating a comprehensive tool for users striving to maintain sobriety. One of Sunflower’s distinctive features is its Visual Progression Tracking, allowing users to earn a virtual sunflower each day they remain sober, gamifying their progress to reinforce positive behaviors.
Alongside the AI Sponsor, Sunflower’s CBT-based journaling exercises help rewire users’ reward systems, encouraging them to associate sobriety with positive mental reinforcement. By addressing cravings and offering adaptive interventions, the app aims to transform the path to sobriety from a solitary journey to a more supported and positive lifestyle change.
A Growing User Base and Early Traction
Since its launch, Sunflower has attracted a growing user base who appreciate its digital-first approach and round-the-clock availability, removing traditional barriers associated with addiction recovery. The platform’s initial traction underscores the need for accessible and stigma-free addiction support that fits into the lives of users.
Sunflower is currently available on iOS, with plans to expand its reach as the app’s user base continues to grow. The company’s mission-driven approach, supported by the latest funding, aligns with a larger trend in the health tech sector: using AI to make mental health and wellness resources more accessible and effective.
What’s Next for Sunflower
With the fresh capital from its pre-seed round, Sunflower’s team is focusing on refining the AI Sponsor’s responsiveness and adaptability to better serve users during critical moments. The funding will also allow Sunflower to enhance its platform’s CBT capabilities, ensuring a highly personalized experience that supports users’ sobriety journeys.
The funding round and Conrad’s involvement highlight a growing recognition among VCs that mental health and addiction support can benefit from tech innovation. As part of a wave of health tech solutions leveraging AI, Sunflower’s entry into addiction recovery represents a promising step toward providing on-demand, evidence-based support to those who need it.
By delivering accessible, empathetic support through AI, Sunflower aims to redefine addiction recovery for the digital age.