Sharp Focus VR

According to WHO surveys and research, 240M individuals across all ages suffer from ADHD globally. Individuals who suffer from ADHD have limited control over their cognitive skills and make decisions based on impulsivity and hyperactivity. 

The economic impact of ADHD causes more than $143B per year in the US alone. Our typical users are children and adolescents who are in the earlier stages of ADHD. We envision our solution to be an alternative to medication so that we can avoid its side effects.

Sharp Focus VR is a B2B-focused VR cognitive training platform for people suffering from ADHD. Our mission is to keep every mind sharp by providing an accessible solution to those in need. We work towards the future where people with ADHD can be part of society with confidence. 

In the USA, every year 6 million kids are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of them are treating with medication. Those kids have difficulties in their academic performance, causing them self-esteem issues, among others. 

We want to create an equity and equality approach through our platform. The main factors that contribute to their poor academic performance are their impulsivity and hyperactivity. Sharp Focus VR provides cognitive training to enhance inhibitory control, and speed processing which helps to improve decision making and develop self-management. 

Sharp Focus VR is a complementary solution to traditional methods to treat ADHD. The tool is focused on natural brain development and works towards long-term positive effects. We use intentional ocular exercises in a non-invasive, and controlled 3D environment where end-users train their cognitive skills related to attention. The platform is in virtual reality technology which allowed us to create an amazing interface and multisensorial experience which engages the main cognitive skills.  

We are unique in the sense that we have a deep understanding of ADHD based on proximity (CEO suffered from it), domain expertise (neuroscientist & biochemist), and technical agility (CTO who is a CS professor and VR expert). Our academic and business network allows us to be B2B for greater reach and customer stickiness. We approach the problem with a scientific approach and are constantly improving our solution based on our findings.

By expanding SharpFocus VR to the next level with the help of MIT Solve and other allies, Joel strongly believes that he can help those suffering from ADHD so that they don't have to go through what he experienced as a child. Let's keep every mind sharp!

We aim to solve the problem of cognitive skills impairment for people suffering from ADHD. According to WHO surveys and research, 240M individuals across all ages suffer from ADHD globally. Individuals who suffer from ADHD have limited control over their cognitive skills and make decisions based on impulsivity and hyperactivity. 

Currently, we are based in Puerto Rico. Our technology has been validated in schools and juvenile facilities showing tangible results as early as one month into the training using our VR tool. The tool is intuitive and does not require comprehensive training nor constant supervision by a medical professional. This allows the user to train at his/her own pace.
 
We are planning to scale to the USA to reach schools, juvenile facilities, and behavioral therapists who are currently working with kids, juveniles, and adults with ADHD and other neurological conditions. We have secured a partnership with a US-based NPO and we are expecting to expand our reach with other organizations such as the DC-based National Juvenile Defender Center, which shared our article on our pilot with juvenile facilities. 

This is effective because, unlike a B2C approach, we are envisioning to create an impact on a societal level. We are looking to tackle the problem at a mass scale to a point where we can create tangible benefits to society by including people suffering from ADHD in the workforce. Institutional actors will benefit in the long run when they see reduced economic loss as well as increased productivity in the future. 

People and kids who can autoregulate their impulses takes better decisions in their lives. This training will help those kids with ADHD to improve their academic performance like ZAHIR who passed the MAP STANDARDIZED TEST in his 2nd attempt After two months of training with Sharp Focus VR. Zahir improved his speed processing by 13% and his Inhibitory control by 36% after falling in his 1st attempt in the MAP STANDARDIZED TEST.

On the other hand, an adult who doesn't control their impulses is more likely to explore destructive and addictive behaviors like gambling and illegal drugs. Sharp Focus VR could help those adults with ADHD to manage their impulses and improve their decision-making. 

Kids and Adults who are suffering from ADHD experience difficulties in different social scenarios like schools, works, and the justice system. The behavior is perceived based on the outcomes of their impulses but not like a neurological disorder or a healthcare approach. In Puerto Rico, 48% of the juveniles in the Juvenile Facilities have untreated ADHD. A third of them (within the juvenile facility) attempt suicide and self-mutilation. I know first-hand the struggles to fit into society because I suffered from ADHD since my childhood. I could have been of those kids who are in Juvenile Facilities.

We ran 2 important pilots from 2020 to 2021. One of them was in the Villalba Juvenile Facility in Puerto Rico. There we work with more than 50 juveniles (48 % of them with ADHD) in order to enhance their control skills. In one month of training, they improved by 14% to 24% in the inhibitory control. The second pilot was with 7 kids with ADHD. After 3 months of training, they improved by 44% to 52% in their control skills. 

Sharp Focus VR is a complementary solution to traditional methods to treat ADHD. The tool is focused on natural brain development and works towards long-term positive effects.

We are unique in the sense that we have a deep understanding of ADHD based on proximity (CEO suffered from it), domain expertise (neuroscientist & biochemist), and technical agility (CTO who is a CS professor and VR expert). Our academic and business network allows us to be B2B for greater reach and customer stickiness. We approach the problem with a scientific approach and are constantly improving our solution based on our findings.

We are using traditional psychological techniques in a new way. 

Currently

• 80 active users
• 2 private schools: 30 kids with ADHD approx.
• 1 Juvenile Facility: 56 juveniles

5 years

• 8,000 active users
• 30 schools: 450 kids approx.
• 5 Juvenile Facilities: 250 juveniles approx.
• 3 Children's Hospitals: 100 kids approx.

The UN goals that we are aligned with are 3. Good Health and Well-being and 4. Quality education and currently we are tracking the following metrics:

Active users, revenue, inhibitory control (an important cognitive skill to manage and regulate impulses), and reaction time (an important cognitive skill to process more rapid information). In the coming months, we will be adding an additional module which will also track working memory.

Because our end users are in schools or juvenile facilities, our impact is often reflected in the users being able to pass certain academic tests and ability to maintain their mood and making better decisions, respectively. 

The metrics we track could illustrate our reach and impact, and a sustainable business model would allow us to continue to benefit our end users in the long-term. Tracking inhibitory control and reaction time will allow us to assess the users' ability to accomplish their respective tasks (passing tests/ having control over emotions); these all lead to tangible benefits in their ability to learn and advance in their education, as well as improved health and well-being.

1-Full time

3-Part time

We are unique in the sense that we have a deep understanding of ADHD based on proximity (CEO suffered from it), domain expertise (neuroscientist & biochemist), and technical agility (CTO who is a CS professor and VR expert). Our academic and business network allows us to be B2B for greater reach and customer stickiness. We approach the problem with a scientific approach and are constantly improving our solution based on our findings.

Our team is not only diverse in disciplinary approach (Neuroscientist, Biochemist, STEM expert, Engineer expert in 3D software, and Business expert, most of them with research experience) but also we are a multicultural team because our CDO is from Asia, our CMO is from Argentina, and our CEO & CTO from Puerto Rico. Inclusion is part of our values. Equity is part of our mission due to our CEO suffered from ADHD since his childhood, our solution born from his experience. 

We think we are fit with the program's mission. We are looking to create social impact based on equity, equality, diversity to create opportunities for those suffering from ADHD.

Regulatory: FDA as software as a medical device. Patent process.

Product/service distribution: We want to scale in the USA market and expand our client base.

Children's Hospitals

Juvenile Facilities

We can run the pilot program with kids or juveniles suffering from ADHD. 

To run the pilot program specifically with students in schools. We can create solutions based on the findings of these kids. 

To run the pilot program in order to spread equality and equity for those suffering from ADHD.

Our project is based on the STEM process. This Grant is fitted with our solution and we can move forward with GM's mission with Equitable Classrooms. 

Digital inclusion is the basis of our platform. We can create more training based on equity and inclusion. 

Our Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Patricia Silveyra) is an expert in STEM and she advocates for women and girl's opportunities in science. This prize will help us to advance our mission with this population. 

Our platform includes a Google Firebase Dashboard to track user's metrics and see their progress. This prize will help us to improve and build new features and integrate AI and data solutions to create an equity approach for all.