Sychedelic, a consumer neurotechnology company building brain wearables, announced the closing of a $3.5 million seed funding round to launch what it describes as the first closed-loop neurostimulation headphones designed to help users relax, focus, or fall asleep in as little as 20 minutes. The round was led by Cultadvisors, TurboStart, and IdeaBaaz (Kuberan Ventures).
The company’s product combines music playback, neurostimulation, and biofeedback into a single wearable device. Sychedelic said the headphones integrate tDCS neurostimulation, binaural audio technology, and live HRV biofeedback to help users regulate cognitive and emotional states in real time.
According to the company, the headphones are designed as a premium lifestyle wearable rather than a clinical-looking medical device. Sychedelic describes the product as a “3-in-1 cognitive wearable” that combines the functions of music headphones, a wellness tracker, and adaptive neurotechnology.
Sychedelic said the wearable is intended to help users transition between focus, relaxation, and sleep states without relying on stimulants, supplements, or medication. The company added that the funding will support product development, manufacturing scale-up, global expansion, and additional investment into AI-enabled adaptive wellness systems and personalized cognitive experiences.
Founder and CEO Ria Rustagi said her motivation for creating the company came from personal experiences, including developing PTSD after her sister died from a misdiagnosed brain infection and later experiencing postpartum depression following the birth of her first child.
The company also pointed to broader growth in adaptive wellness technologies and consumer neurotechnology as part of the market opportunity it is targeting.
KEY QUOTES:
“The future of neurotech is the integration into daily wearables that aren’t only used for 20 minutes, but utilized throughout the day. We wanted to create something people genuinely want to wear every day — headphones that look beautiful, feel natural, play music, and can also help you relax, focus, or fall asleep without depending on caffeine, supplements, or sleep medication.”
Ria Rustagi, Co-Founder and CEO, Sychedelic
“At a time when the world is confronting increasing mental health struggles and overwhelmed healthcare systems, Sychedelic is pioneering a category where wearable intelligence becomes the first line of defense for humanity itself. Sychedelic represents a new generation of Indian deeptech , where science, AI and human empathy converge to redefine preventive healthcare at a global scale.”
Mudit Kumar, COO, Kuberan Ventures / Ideabaaz
“Sychedelic is approaching mental wellness through a compelling combination of wearable technology, behavioral science, and personalized insights that has the potential to meaningfully transform how individuals understand and optimize their overall well-being.”
Giuseppina Pilloni, PhD, Assistant Professor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
“We’re excited to back Sychedelic as they build at the intersection of wellness, consumer health, and technology, and we look forward to supporting them through the next phase of growth.”
Ganesh Raju, Co-Founder, TurboStart
