Venture Capital
How Thync, Startup Behind Brain-Zapping Gadget, Almost Died
The company, which promises to deliver instant calm or energy through a jolt to the head, cut most of its staff and auctioned off assets as it struggled to raise funds.
Sumon Pal, former chief of vibes at Thync, tests a prototype Thync module at his desk at Thync's headquarters.
Photographer: Ryan C. Jones/For The Washington Post via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
In 2014, Silicon Valley startup Thync had sold technology enthusiasts and venture capitalists on the idea of strapping a device to your forehead that sends electric shocks to the brain. The wearable gadget garnered attention for its futuristic promises of brain stimulation, purporting to deliver an instant calming or energizing boost through a zap to the head.
But the last six months have created major headaches for the startup. Thync struggled to raise money, cut almost all of its staff and auctioned off the company's assets to buy itself time.