TLDR:
Chris Thompson, founder of Sober Sidekick, rejected funding from venture capitalists who wanted him to refer users to rehab centers for profit. Thompson decided to cut ties with these centers due to unethical practices and focus on helping people get sober. He shifted his business model to work directly with insurance plans, predicting user relapses with 93% accuracy. Sober Sidekick now has over 500,000 downloads and has secured $2.8 million in seed funding. Thompson remains committed to his mission of serving people struggling with addiction without sacrificing ethics for short-term revenue.
Three key points:
- Thompson rejected venture capitalist funding that wanted him to refer users to rehab centers for profit
- He shifted his business model to work directly with insurance plans, predicting user relapses with high accuracy
- Sober Sidekick now has over 500,000 downloads and has secured $2.8 million in seed funding
Chris Thompson, the founder of Sober Sidekick, made a bold decision to reject funding from venture capitalists who wanted him to refer users to rehab centers for profit. Thompson, who created Sober Sidekick to help individuals struggling with addiction, discovered unethical practices within these centers and decided to cut ties with them. Instead, he focused on a new business model that involved working directly with insurance plans. By predicting user relapses with a 93% accuracy rate, Sober Sidekick has become a valuable tool for those seeking sobriety.
With over 500,000 downloads and $2.8 million in seed funding, Thompson’s dedication to helping individuals without compromising his ethics has drawn investors who recognize the real impact his app is making. By staying true to his mission and prioritizing the well-being of his users, Thompson believes that Sober Sidekick is on the path to significant growth and success.
