Mindr Awarded NC IDEA MICRO Grant to Accelerate Brain Health Innovation

Mindr is proud to be named one of fifteen North Carolina startups selected for the Spring 2026 NC IDEA MICRO grant cycle—an honor that underscores both the urgency of brain health innovation and the growing recognition of behavior-based approaches to preventing cognitive decline.

The NC IDEA MICRO program awarded a total of $150,000 in this cycle, with each selected startup receiving $10,000 in funding. Chosen from a highly competitive pool of 338 applicants, Mindr joins a cohort of early-stage companies working to validate ideas, refine business models, and accelerate their path to impact.

More than Just Grant Funding 

The NC IDEA MICRO grant is more than just funding. It provides an eight-week, hands-on program focused on customer discovery and product development, along with access to a deep network of experienced advisors and entrepreneurs across North Carolina. 

"The science on dementia prevention has never been stronger. What we need now is to get it into the hands of the people who need it. That's exactly what this grant helps us do,’’ says Co-founder Adam Schultz.

The Mindr Mission 

As rates of cognitive decline and dementia continue to rise, the gap between what science knows and what people actually do in their daily lives remains wide. Research such as the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention shows that up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes. But awareness alone isn’t enough to change behavior as the US POINTER study points out. People need coaching to make changes. 

Here at Mindr, we turn evidence into action. Rather than simply provide information about healthy behaviors, we help individuals consistently follow through on the small, daily actions that protect and strengthen cognitive health over time.

Our approach is grounded in behavioral science—recognizing that lasting change doesn’t come from knowing what to do, but from being guided to actually do it. 

Fueling the Next Phase of Growth

The NC IDEA grant is important to helping us introduce the product to more people, but the grant has additional value that is just as important.  "NC IDEA plays a vital role in North Carolina's startup community, and we're deeply grateful to be part of this cohort,’’ Schultz says. “The funding matters, but the network, mentorship, and belief in early-stage founders is what makes this program so special."