Sychedelic
Category: AI in Healthcare
Sychedelic builds AI-powered neurostimulation headphones that combine PPG sensors, adaptive audio, and tDCS to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance sleep through real-time closed-loop neuromodulation. Sychedelic was founded in 2024. The company is led by Ria Rustagi. Based in Gurugram, Delhi NCR, India (also New York, US entity). Team size: 8. Total funding raised: $3.5M. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include TurboStart; Ideabaaz; Praveek Ventures; Cultadvisors LLP.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Gurugram, Delhi NCR, India (also New York, US entity)
- Team size
- 8
- Total funding
- $3.5M
Value proposition
World's first closed-loop neuromodulation wearable in a headphone form factor that reads your stress in real time via PPG sensors and actively intervenes using adaptive audio and tDCS — shifting you from stress to calm in under 10 minutes and providing 90 minutes of focused clarity on demand.
Products and solutions
Sychedelic AI-powered neurostimulation headphones — closed-loop wearable combining: (1) PPG sensor for real-time HRV and cognitive state detection, (2) adaptive audio engine that matches music to user's stress/focus state, (3) tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) for focus enhancement, (4) companion mobile app (iOS/Android) for session management and insights. Product is CDSCO approved and ISO 60601-1-2 certified. Pre-order price $499 (founding price, 40% off $799 retail). Ships July 2026.
Unique value
Unlike passive noise-cancelling headphones or basic meditation apps, Sychedelic actively measures your physiological state (HRV via PPG) and delivers real-time neurostimulation (tDCS) and adaptive audio to change your brain state — not just track it. It's the first consumer device to close the loop between sensing and intervention in a headphone form factor.
Target customer
Founders, professionals, students, high-performers, and knowledge workers seeking stress reduction, focus enhancement, and better sleep without pharmaceuticals.
Industries served
Consumer wellness; Mental health; Sleep technology; Cognitive enhancement; Wearable healthtech
Technology advantage
(1) Closed-loop neuromodulation — real-time biometric feedback (PPG/HRV) driving adaptive tDCS and audio; (2) CDSCO approved and ISO 60601-1-2 certified medical-grade device; (3) Global patent applications filed for closed-loop neuromodulation wearable system; (4) 25+ peer-reviewed papers backing tDCS efficacy; (5) Team's prior experience building Neuphony (India's first consumer neurofeedback wearable with Shark Tank India, Forbes 30 Under 30 credentials); (6) Dual India-US operational structure for global go-to-market.
How they differentiate
Sychedelic differentiates through its closed-loop architecture: PPG sensor detects real-time stress/cognitive state → AI matches adaptive audio + tDCS stimulation → user shifts from stress to calm/focus. Unlike competitors (Flow Neuroscience, Mave Health) that offer open-loop tDCS, Sychedelic adapts stimulation in real time based on live biometric feedback. Also unlike basic EEG headbands (Muse, Neurosky), it actively intervenes rather than just tracking. The headphone form factor is also more discreet and socially acceptable than headband/headset designs.
Main competitors
Mave Health (India, tDCS wearable headset, raised $2.1M from Blume Ventures); Flow Neuroscience (Sweden/UK, tDCS headset for depression); Sputnik Brain (India, neurostimulation); DUSQ (India, sleep-tech wearable); Apollo Neuroscience (US, wearable neuromodulation)
Key partnerships
CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) approval; ISO 60601-1-2 certification; Kickstarter platform for global launch (June 2026); Science advisor based in New York
Notable customers
100+ early users over 6 months of product testing; testimonials from CEOs, lawyers, investment analysts, SDEs at Amazon, and fitness influencers (per website testimonials)
Major milestones
2020: Pankhtech India Pvt. Ltd. incorporated (Oct 15, 2020); 2020-2024: Built Neuphony, India's first consumer neurofeedback wearable (EEG headband), featured on Shark Tank India Season 2, Forbes 30 Under 30, Google for Startups, UN Women; 2024: Pivoted to Sychedelic brand, developing closed-loop neurostimulation headphones; 2025-2026: Product development and 100+ early user testing; May 2026: Raised $3.5M seed round; June 2026: Planned Kickstarter global launch; July 2026: First shipments expected
Growth metrics
8 team members; 100+ early users; $3.5M seed raised; Pre-orders at $499 founding price (200 limited units, 49 spots left as of research date)
Market positioning
Early-stage Indian neurotech startup positioning itself as a premium, science-backed consumer wellness brand targeting the intersection of mental wellness, productivity, and sleep optimization. Competes in the emerging "functional wellness wearables" segment that goes beyond fitness tracking into active cognitive and emotional state modification.
Geographic focus
India (primary market) and US (secondary market via Delaware entity and New York operations). Global Kickstarter launch planned for June 2026.
Patents and IP
Global patent applications filed for closed-loop neuromodulation wearable system that adapts stimulation in real time based on live biometric feedback
About Ria Rustagi
Co-founder & CEO of Neuphony (India's first consumer neurofeedback wearable, featured on Shark Tank India, Forbes 30 Under 30, Google for Startups, UN Women); MSc in Integrated Circuit Design from Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Nanyang Technological University Singapore; personal motivation stems from losing her sister to a brain infection, which led her to neurotechnology.
Official website: https://sychedelic.com