Quit Genius, the app that helps smokers quit, raised $2mn
Quit Genius, an app that helps users quit smoking and is backed by start-up incubator Y Combinator, has received an additional $1.1 million in seed funding, closing its seed round at a total of $2 million. Its investors include Max Mullen of Instacart, Olivia Teich of Dropbox, Paul Rosania of Slack, David Langley of Zesty, and Junaid Bajwa of Merck & Co, among others.
Personalized, scientifically proven behavior therapy that helps you quit
Co-founded by doctors Yusuf Sherwani, Maroof Ahmed, and Sarim Siddiqui, the app uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help smokers quit. CBT takes users through the different stages of quitting using animated videos, audio sessions, interactive exercises, mindfulness sessions, quizzes, and motivational reminders. The app also awards users with daily trophies, badges, and achievements to help them stay on track.
"What you think and feel can affect how you behave"
"CBT breaks down situations into three areas: thoughts, feelings and behavior. It focuses on replacing any negative thoughts and feelings you may have that trigger you to smoke, with healthier and more positive thoughts that will help you to quit smoking," Ahmed said.
Quit Genius has 300,000 registered users
The company claims that over 20,000 people have officially become smoke-free in the app. Quit Genius defines smoke-free as not having smoked for 28 days. It aims at achieving 100,000 smoke-free users by year-end. Notably, their progress will be tracked publicly on the company website.
The app also offers content on dealing with other addictions
Apart from its quit smoking program, the company also offers several "packs" for other behavioral issues like drinking alcohol, too much stress, and lack of motivation. These provide users with extra content on the different issues they're dealing with. Quit Genius will also launch packs around pregnant women who want to quit, weight management, the social pressure to smoke, and self-esteem.
Quit Genius to work with companies to ensure employee well-being
Quit Genius claims that it can help employees get healthier and in turn, provide big companies with a more productive and happier staff. It has already on-boarded an undisclosed tech giant as a customer. Notably, a scientific research paper that the company participated in found that the app has yielded a 36% quit rate and a 59.6% reduction rate among smokers.
