About two-thirds of adults within the U.S. drink alcohol, however about one in three try to drink much less. Sunnyside, which introduced it raised $11.5 million in Sequence A funding final week, goals to assist folks in the reduction of on their consuming with out having to give up altogether.
The San Francisco-based startup gives an app for customers. At $99 a 12 months, customers of Sunnyside have entry to drink monitoring, day by day reminders of their targets, personalised suggestions, neighborhood help with different customers of the app and one-on-one peer help.
“This method offers a much-needed various for these seeking to change their relationship with alcohol, however who aren’t open to quitting consuming solely,” stated Nick Allen, CEO and co-founder of Sunnyside, in an e mail.
The Sequence A funding spherical was led by Motley Idiot Ventures and included participation from Will Ventures, Uncork Capital, Offline Ventures, Joyance Companions, Knowledge Ventures, Eudemian Ventures, Adjoining, Scribble Ventures, Cooley LLP and MyFitnessPal founder Michael Lee. Sunnyside has raised $14.6 million since inception.
A Motley Idiot Ventures investor selected to spend money on Sunnyside due to its deal with serving to folks drink moderately and create more healthy habits.
“Sunnyside has a singular alternative into a large new vertical within the wellness business,” stated Kristine Harjes, vp of the agency, in a press release. “By making a non-judgmental method the place stability is the purpose, the Sunnyside group expands the addressable viewers to anybody seeking to enhance their well being by taking extra management over their consuming habits.”
With the funding in hand, Sunnyside goals to deal with three key areas: product, model and neighborhood, Allen stated. The corporate just lately employed Steve Lloyd, former chief product and know-how officer at health firm Strava. Lloyd will likely be taking over the identical function at Sunnyside and can lead the product and engineering group in creating a brand new characteristic that can supply challenges for customers, in addition to an AI consuming coach named “Sunny” that can present personalised teaching for members.
The cash may even be used to spice up advertising efforts. Lastly, the startup will make investments extra closely in neighborhood constructing, Allen stated. For instance, its app gives day by day journaling prompts that permit members to mirror on their expertise, and customers can work together with each other round these prompts.
“Key to eradicating stigma round proactive alcohol administration is to make this a journey of connection, fairly than loneliness,” he stated.
The corporate was born out of Allen and co-founder Ian Andersen’s experiences. Allen grew up in a house with two dad and mom recovering from alcoholism, and Andersen misplaced his mom on the age of 11 due to liver failure from alcohol abuse.
Allen beforehand informed MedCity Information that just a few years in the past, he determined to make a change to his consuming habits, however didn’t need to go the complete abstinence route like his dad and mom did. Nevertheless, he struggled to search out options that will assist him average his consuming. That led to the founding of Sunnyside.
Different firms within the house embody SoberBuddy and I Am Sober, however these principally deal with sobriety fairly than chopping again on alcohol.
“It’s clear that the choice to give up solely is the precise selection for some drinkers, however there are various tens of millions extra who’re turned off by the all-or-nothing method,” Allen stated this week. “Sunnyside fills the hole for this inhabitants, increasing the addressable market for individuals who may gain advantage from more healthy habits round alcohol.”
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