Cortica

What Cortica does

Cortica, Inc. is a privately held, venture-backed provider of integrated neurological and behavioral care for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The company's "Whole Child Model" delivers formal autism diagnostics, ABA therapy, developmental therapies (speech, occupational, physical, music), pediatric medical care for co-occurring conditions, and mental health counseling under coordinated multidisciplinary teams — physicians, BCBAs, therapists, and counselors operating within a single clinic, single care plan, and single electronic record. Cortica operates 24 integrated autism centers across 8 U.S. states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, with research hubs in Marin, Glendale, and Scottsdale), supported by 1,500+ teammates and 1,600+ clinical providers, and extends delivery through in-home, in-school, and telehealth modalities. The Cortica Innovation Network (CIN) functions as an internal research arm running clinical neuroscience studies in neuromodulation (Cranial Electrostimulation), digital therapeutics, neuroimaging, and medication trials, with published evidence including a Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale outcomes study and a CES open-label study of 263 participants.

Cortica generates revenue through three interlocking streams: (1) insurance-reimbursed clinical services billed to commercial plans and Medicaid (including Mercy Care in Arizona), with family cost-share determined by deductibles and copays reviewed at the Welcome Visit; (2) value-based care contracts with commercial payers — the company holds 15 such VBC arrangements, with named flagship partnerships including Aetna/CVS Health (neurodiversity navigation program for commercial customers launching January 2026) and Point32Health (Massachusetts); and (3) contracted ABA, OT, SLP, and PT services delivered to public and non-public school districts across California and Illinois. Pricing for therapy is quote-based and determined by insurance coverage, with non-billable family-paid fees of $50 for short-notice cancellations and $100 for no-shows.

The company has raised more than $255 million in disclosed equity across a $60M Series C (Longitude Capital, June 2021), a $115M Series D total (Deerfield/Optum Ventures led $75M in April 2023; CVS Health Ventures led $40M extension in October 2023), and an $80M round in late 2024 co-led by JPMorgan Chase/Morgan Health and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures. Strategic acquisitions of Springtide Child Development (New England) and Melmed Center (Arizona) were executed in April 2023 alongside the Series D. The investor base is unusually strategic for a company of this stage — Optum Ventures (UnitedHealth), CVS Health Ventures, and JPMorgan/Morgan Health align Cortica's cap table with the three largest U.S. healthcare payer/provider ecosystems, supporting its VBC strategy and payer-channeled member acquisition.

Name

Cortica

Legal name

Cortica, Inc.

Website

https://corticacare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Cortica is a privately held provider of integrated autism and neurodevelopmental care for children (ages 18 months–17 years), operating 24 multidisciplinary clinics across 8 U.S. states and combining ABA therapy, diagnostics, developmental therapies, medical care, and mental health counseling under a single Whole Child Model, reimbursed through commercial insurance, Medicaid, and 15 value-based payer contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Autism and Neurodevelopmental Therapy Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child Care Services (6244), Child Care Services (624410)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Therapy Platforms (ADHD/Autism/Behavioral Coaching) (HLALAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Autism therapy services
• Pediatric neurodevelopmental care
• ABA therapy services
• Behavioral health services
• Value-based care

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Value-based care (VBC) payer contracts: Cortica generates revenue through value-based care arrangements with health insurers that are designed around cost, quality, and access outcomes rather than fee-for-service hours. The company has 15 such VBC contracts and has struck named deals with Point32Health and Aetna/CVS Health.
2. Fee-for-service clinical care revenue (insurance-reimbursed): Cortica delivers ABA therapy, developmental therapies, medical care, diagnostics, and counseling services that are billed to commercial insurance, Medicaid (e.g., Mercy Care in Arizona, Medicaid in other states), and other major insurers. The Welcome Visit reviews deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Late cancellations ($50) and no-shows ($100) are non-billable patient-paid fees.
3. School district contracted ABA and therapy services: Cortica contracts with public and non-public school districts to deliver ABA services, OT, SLP, and PT (telehealth or in-person) in school, home, and clinic settings. Service levels include BCBA-only, behavior therapist one-to-one or groups, and combined BCBA plus behavior therapist packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cortica delivers an integrated whole-child care model for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences (ages 18 months to 17 years), consolidating formal diagnostic evaluations, ABA therapy, developmental therapies (speech, OT, PT, music), pediatric medical care, and mental health counseling under coordinated multidisciplinary teams in dedicated centers. Services are delivered in-clinic, in-home, in-school, and via telehealth, and are reimbursed through commercial insurance, Medicaid, and 15 value-based care contracts with health plans.

Product overview

Cortica operates an integrated, single-platform care delivery model — branded the Cortica Whole Child Model — that consolidates autism and neurodevelopmental diagnostics, ABA therapy, early intervention (Jumpstart), developmental therapies (speech, OT, PT, music), pediatric medical care, and telehealth mental health counseling under coordinated multidisciplinary teams across its 24+ clinical centers in eight U.S. states. The core service modules (Formal Autism Diagnostic Evaluations, ABA Therapy, Jumpstart Early Intervention, Developmental Therapies, Medical Care, and Mental Health Counseling) are bundled together with in-house insurance verification and billing. Cortica also extends its care delivery through Cortica In-School Services (school- and home-based ABA) and supports a research arm — the Cortica Innovation Network (CIN) — that runs medication trials, digital therapeutics, and neuroimaging studies to inform the care model. A neuromodulation offering, Cranial Electrostimulation (CES) Therapy, is provided to patients based on CIN's published clinical evidence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cortica Innovation Network (CIN): Cortica's research arm comprising researchers and physicians conducting clinical neuroscience research to advance the field and inform the Cortica Care Model.

Products and services

• Cortica Whole Child Model The integrated care delivery framework that combines medical care, developmental therapies, and behavioral health under one roof, coordinated across pediatricians, neurologists, therapists, and counselors for children with autism and neurodevelopmental differences.
• Formal Autism Diagnostic Evaluations Strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming diagnostics using 10+ screenings, assessments, and evaluations for autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and more — provided in-house by full-time pediatricians, neurologists, and nurse practitioners, often virtually.
• ABA Therapy (Brain-based, Neurodiversity-Affirming) Personalized, strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming Applied Behavior Analysis therapy that helps children ages 18 months to 17 years develop communication, social, daily living, and community skills; delivered via natural environment teaching, supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).
• Jumpstart Early Intervention Program Intensive group therapy program for children ages 5 and under that blends play-based learning with neuroscience-informed therapy to build communication, social, emotional, cognitive, and motor executive-functioning skills, with full-day and half-day options preparing children for mainstream kindergarten.
• Developmental Therapies (Speech, OT, PT, Music) Speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and music therapy delivered by Cortica's highly-skilled therapists, designed to build on a child's strengths and support areas of need during their early years.
• Medical Care (Pediatric Neurology & Developmental Pediatrics) Comprehensive whole-child health services including evaluations and treatments for medical and mental health conditions that often co-occur with autism, such as seizures, sleep issues, GI symptoms, anxiety, and ADHD — delivered by pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and nurse practitioners.
• Mental Health Counseling (Telehealth) Telehealth mental health counseling delivered by licensed professionals experienced in neurodevelopmental differences, supporting the whole family by building skills, offering guidance, and connecting families to relevant resources.
• Cortica In-School Services ABA services delivered in public and non-public schools, students' homes, and Cortica clinics; includes Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), BCBA supervision, one-to-one direct behavioral support, classroom support, and same-day substitute staff. Telehealth and in-person OT, speech-language, and physical therapy are also offered.
• Cortica Innovation Network (CIN) An in-house team of researchers and physicians conducting and supporting clinical neuroscience research across medication trials, digital therapeutics, neuroimaging, etiology, and phenotype studies — with research hubs in Glendale, CA; Marin, CA; and Scottsdale, AZ.
• Cranial Electrostimulation (CES) Therapy Neuromodulation therapy offered to Cortica patients based on an open-label study (263 participants) published by the Cortica Innovation Network, showing significant reduction in sensory sensitivity, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, insomnia, and constipation after 4 weeks of CES treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant improvements in Adaptive Behavior Composite scores and all Vineland subscale scores for children receiving Cortica care compared to National Database for Autism Research community controls.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Springtide Child DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired by Cortica in April 2023 as part of the Series D round, expanding Cortica's presence in New England. Added integrated autism centers to Cortica's footprint, bringing the total to 23 centers.
• Melmed CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired by Cortica in April 2023, a developmental pediatrics clinical and research group in Arizona. Now operates as Cortica Scottsdale with Dr. Raun Melmed as clinical director and a CIN research hub.
• Aetna (CVS Health)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAetna launched a neurodiversity navigation program for commercial customers in January 2026, with Cortica as a key partner providing autism services, coaching, and digital programs to members. Program aims to improve outcomes and workplace productivity.
• Point32HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts-based payer partner (September 2022) for a value-based care arrangement delivering Cortica's whole-child model to families in Massachusetts, one of the 15 value-based care contracts Cortica holds.
• FloreocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partner for FloreoRx, a VR-based therapeutic software for autism. The pivotal trial was conducted across 18 Cortica clinical sites with 125 enrolled patients. FloreoRx received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and is under De Novo FDA review as of April 2026.
• Emalex BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 3 D1AMOND study partner for ecopipam in Tourette's Syndrome (children and adults). Cortica Marin and Glendale also host the Emalex Expanded Access Program providing ecopipam to Tourette's patients pre-approval.
• Acadia PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 2 'Penguin Study' partner assessing pimavanserin for irritability in children with autism. Cortica Marin and Glendale were top recruiters globally.
• Yamo PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 2 'Yamo Study' partner evaluating L1-79 to support social communication in autistic individuals aged 12-21. Cortica Marin supported completion of the trial.
• Axial TherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 2b 'Tapestry Study' partner assessing AB-2004 (gut microbiome therapy) for irritability/anxiety in autistic individuals aged 5-17. Cortica Marin and Westlake Village finished first nationally in enrollment.
• EarliTec DiagnosticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEASURE-ASD study partner using the EarliPoint eye-tracking device as a treatment monitoring tool for children with ASD. Cortica Marin, Glendale, Westlake Village, and Torrance were first sites to reach enrollment capacity.
• Lumos LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAMES Primary Study partner evaluating an at-home, game-based digital therapy for adult ADHD. Cortica Scottsdale contributed over 100 enrolled participants.
• Akili TherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndeavorRx age-expansion study partner for the prescription video game for ADHD. Cortica Marin and Westlake Village topped the leaderboard; their enrollment supported the FDA label expansion to ages 8-17.
• University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcademic research partner for the NIH-funded SPIN observational study (3T brain MRI scanning of sensory processing in neurodevelopment; 190 participants enrolled at Cortica Marin) and the pediBBT pediatric body-brain trainer pilot study, which was published jointly.
• ZYN002 (Zynerba)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFragile X RECONNECT Study partner for transdermal gel ZYN002 in children, adolescents, and young adults with Fragile X Syndrome.
• Neuren PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 3 study partner for NNZ-2591 in pediatric participants (ages 3-12) with Phelan McDermid Syndrome and SHANK3 mutations. Study directed by Elysa Marco, MD at Cortica Marin.
• Adam BoehlercoreOthersAppointed as a new board member as part of Cortica's Series C (June 2021). Subsequently listed as an Investor and Strategic Advisor on Cortica's Leadership page.
• Martha TemplecoreOthersAppointed as a new board member as part of Cortica's Series C (June 2021).
• Mercy Care (Arizona)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCortica Scottsdale is now in-network with Mercy Care in Arizona (Medicaid), enabling in-network autism therapy and neurodevelopmental care delivery.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Hopebridge: Multi-state operator of integrated autism and ABA therapy centers with hundreds of BCBAs across the Midwest and Southeast; competes directly with Cortica for in-network payer contracts and multidisciplinary pediatric autism services.
• BlueSprig Pediatrics: One of the largest U.S. providers of ABA therapy for children with autism, operating clinics across 15+ states with a focus on center-based, in-home, and telehealth services, directly comparable to Cortica's clinical delivery footprint.
• CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders): Large multi-state ABA therapy provider serving thousands of children with autism across the U.S., with an integrated research arm (CARD/ABS) that overlaps with Cortica's clinical research positioning.
• Acorn Health: Multi-site ABA and behavioral health provider operating in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida; comparable to Cortica in center-based integrated pediatric autism services and insurance-driven delivery model.
• Autism Learning Partners: Multi-state ABA therapy provider delivering in-home, center-based, and school-based services; competes with Cortica for managed-care contracts and BCBA-led pediatric autism care.
• Proud Moments ABA: Multi-state ABA provider offering center-based and in-home services with a focus on personalized, family-centered care, directly comparable to Cortica's center-led delivery approach.
• Lighthouse Autism Center: Midwest-focused ABA therapy operator with multiple centers; smaller than Cortica in scale but directly comparable in integrated, center-led pediatric autism services and payer-contracted model.
• Kyo Autism Therapy: Multi-state ABA provider delivering center-based, in-home, school, and community-based services to children with autism, with a comparable insurance-reimbursed, multidisciplinary delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Optum (UnitedHealth Group): Healthcare services and behavioral health arm of UnitedHealth Group and a Cortica investor via Optum Ventures; operates broad pediatric behavioral health, autism, and integrated care assets that compete and overlap with Cortica's whole-child model.
• Aetna (CVS Health): Major U.S. health insurer and Cortica's flagship payer partner (neurodiversity navigation program, Jan 2026) and Series D extension lead via CVS Health Ventures; a broad incumbent that increasingly internalizes autism and behavioral health care delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcB69HpvGa6BKYFSTDfVv1w
• Facebookfacebook.com/CorticaCare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cortica-care
• Instagraminstagram.com/corticacare
• TikToktiktok.com/@corticacare
• Xx.com/corticacare

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors17 records

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M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cortica