Hirncoach
More concentration, learning ability, creativity, and emotional balance—that's what Hirncoach's self-training promises individuals, teams, and organizations. Developed from research conducted by the Learning and Memory Center at the University of Bern, this spin-off raises awareness of mental health, educates people about mindful use of digital media, supports brain-friendly learning in schools, and makes an important contribution to the prevention of mental illness and dementia.
Barbara Studer is the initiator, co-founder, and CEO of Hirncoach AG. With a background in health psychology and cognitive neuroscience, plus years of research and team leadership experience, she is also the public face of the startup. Since many people wish to boost their mental strength and as neuropsychological knowledge is not easily accessible in everyday life, Studer decided to look at brain fitness holistically and develop programs that put scientific findings into practice and effectively guide people in their daily application.
What began during the coronavirus pandemic as “brain coaching” sent by email or video met with such a positive response that Barbara Studer founded Hirncoach AG in 2022 with two entrepreneurial colleagues and an experienced entrepreneur. Since then, the company has grown dynamically, offering digital programs for all stages of life, a community platform, winning several innovation awards and today 40 employees and a recent expansion into Germany and Austria.
In this, the team is a crucial factor, says Studer: “Hirncoach and I would be nowhere without our wonderful team—I am very grateful for that.” Rahel Wermelinger, then a master's student in psychology at the University of Bern and an outstanding employee of Studer, played a particularly important role at the beginning: "I will never forget her reaction to the idea of Hirncoach: she was immediately enthusiastic and ‘all in’ from the very first second."
Shortly afterwards, a doctoral student from the University of Zurich supervised by Studer joined the team. Both of them participated in the development of our start-up with great dedication, courage, and without remuneration. "From the very beginning, it was an incredibly enriching, trusting, and wonderful collaboration that had a decisive influence on Hirncoach. When an experienced entrepreneur later joined the core team, we made our breakthrough."
From the very beginning, an incredibly enriching, trusting, and positive team dynamic has been a defining feature of Hirncoach.
Hirncoach's success is also owed to the innovative ecosystem for startups, that the spin-off was able to benefit from: “be it through research networks, scientific evaluations, or potential incubation and spin-off services. For the latter, the university’s Innovation Office was invaluable, with Sebastien Hug advising and encouraging me and supporting Hirncoach on specific topics,” recalls Studer.
Today, Hirncoach makes a direct contribution to social value creation by promoting mental health, strengthening brain and media literacy, and supporting brain-friendly learning. The digital programs also create economic added value, make research accessible, promote prevention, and strengthen mental resilience across all generations.
| Name | Founding Year | Sector | More about the Startup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hirncoach AG | 2022 | Digital Health |