Brain Balance

What Brain Balance does

Brain Balance is a private US franchise network founded in 2006 by Dr. Robert Melillo that delivers a drug-free, neuroplasticity-based program targeting attention, behavior, social, and learning challenges in children, teens, and adults. The core offering — the Brain Balance Program — integrates four components (Train the Brain, Engage the Senses, Move the Body, Fuel the System) into an in-center protocol with an average length of roughly five months, supplemented by an At-Home virtual program and post-program Cognitive App subscription for ongoing engagement. The proprietary methodology is supported by research collaborations with Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and Cambridge Brain Sciences, and the company cites parent-reported outcome data showing measurable improvements across ADHD symptoms, emotional well-being, and academic performance.

The company operates 70+ independently owned centers across the United States alongside its digital channels, employing 501-1,000 staff and reaching 50,000+ families cumulatively over the past decade. Revenue is generated through cash-pay monthly subscriptions, one-time payments, and three-to-six-month installment options for the program (no insurance reimbursement), plus recurring Cognitive App subscriptions and franchise-level economics from center operations. Distribution spans in-center sessions, remote coaching with shipped materials, and tablet- and mobile-based apps (EyeLearn, Brain Balance Cognitive App), with lead generation driven by a content-heavy blog, online assessment quizzes, webinars, referral marketing, and earned media (Lifetime TV, World's Greatest!, Mayo Clinic Kids Podcast).

The customer base is direct-to-consumer and highly fragmented — individual families with children or young adults facing ADHD, anxiety, autism, learning, or processing challenges — with no enterprise or institutional customers disclosed. The legal entity is Brain Balance Holdings, Inc., with no parent company, outside investors, or funding rounds publicly identified; leadership includes CFO/COO Jason Licar, co-founder William J. Fowler, and Chief Programs Officer Dr. Rebecca Jackson.

Name

Brain Balance

Legal name

Brain Balance Holdings, Inc.

Website

https://brainbalancecenters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Brain Balance is a private US franchise network offering a drug-free, neuroplasticity-based program to children, teens, and adults addressing attention, behavior, learning, and social challenges through 70+ centers and virtual delivery, supported by Harvard, McLean Hospital, and Cambridge Brain Sciences research collaborations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Developmental and Cognitive Training Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Skill-Building & Therapy Learning Apps (Autism, OT/PT, Life Skills) (EDAFAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

ADHD/Executive Function & Organization Coaching (Academic) (EDANAFAC), Executive Functioning & Behavioral Support Tools (ADHD, SEL/Behavior Tracking, Routines) (EDAFAKAG), AT for Reading, Writing & Learning (Literacy/Executive Function) Tools & Training (EDAKAIAC), Study Skills & Executive Function Coaching (Planning, Organization, Time Management) (EDANADAB)

Keywords

• Brain training programs
• Child development services
• ADHD treatment programs
• Developmental therapy services
• Cognitive training centers

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Brain Balance Program Fees: Subscription-based or one-time payment options for the in-center program. Program fees billed monthly with recurring subscription contract. Payment options include monthly subscription, one-time payment, or three to six monthly payments. Program includes ongoing maintenance and optimization consultations post-completion.
2. Brain Balance Cognitive App Subscription: Monthly subscription for digital cognitive training sessions through tablet application (Android or Apple). Access granted through recurring payment with month-to-month billing until cancellation. Recommended minimum usage of 3 sessions per week with 20-30 minute sessions.
3. At-Home Program: Virtual coaching and support program with shipped materials for families without nearby center access

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Brain Balance operates a drug-free, neuroplasticity-based brain training program delivered through 70+ franchised centers nationwide. The program integrates sensory-motor exercises, cognitive training, academic activities, and nutritional support to improve focus, behavior, emotional regulation, social skills, and academic performance in children, teens, adults, and young adults with developmental, learning, and behavioral challenges. Programs are delivered as in-center sessions, at-home virtual coaching with shipped materials, and post-program digital cognitive app subscriptions.

Product overview

Brain Balance Achievement Centers offers a unified brain health and development platform focused on drug-free cognitive training. The core offering is the Brain Balance Program, which integrates four components: sensory-motor exercises, cognitive training, physical development, and nutrition support. The platform includes multiple delivery channels: in-center programs at 70+ locations nationwide, the At-Home Program with virtual coaching, and the Brain Balance Cognitive App for post-program subscription. Assessment tools include an Online Assessment quiz and Personalized Assessment at centers using third-party tools like Cambridge Brain Sciences, EyeSync, and others. The company also offers specialized programs including the Child Program, Teen Program, Adult Program, and the College Reboot Program for young adults. The EyeLearn mobile application and Program Portal provide ongoing engagement and tracking. The average program length is 5 months, with research published in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brain Balance Program Core drug-free brain health and development program combining sensory-motor exercises, cognitive training, academic activities, and nutrition to improve focus, behavior, emotional regulation, social skills, and academic performance in children, teens, and adults with developmental and learning challenges.
• Child Program Brain development program for children ages 4-17 addressing focus, behavior, emotional control, social skills, and learning challenges through an integrated approach.
• Teen Program Brain development program for teenagers facing procrastination, emotional volatility, motivation issues, and executive function deficits as academic expectations rise during adolescence.
• Adult Program Brain training program for adults addressing focus, processing, and brain connectivity issues for those working harder for less results due to underdeveloped brain connections.
• At-Home Program Virtual coaching and support program with shipped equipment and materials for families without nearby center access, combining at-home exercises with remote guidance from Brain Balance coaches.
• College Reboot Program Personalized eight-week program for high school graduates and college-aged students (18-24) combining processing speed exercises, sensory motor skills training, critical listening and comprehension with ongoing student support to improve focus, motivation, confidence, and learning skills.
• Personalized Assessment In-center assessment measuring hundreds of brain and body functions, providing tailored feedback on unique needs; includes cognitive testing, sensory-motor evaluation, and behavioral questionnaire.
• Online Assessment A quick online quiz providing personalized insight into challenges and how they connect to brain function, serving as a first step before the in-depth in-center assessment.
• Brain Balance Cognitive App Post-program tablet application providing digital cognitive training sessions with games and activities designed to improve visual motor and cognitive skills; available on Android and Apple devices via monthly subscription.
• Balance 360 System Nutrition and lifestyle system designed to improve overall health and balance in both body and mind, integrated as part of the Brain Balance program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% of participants demonstrated improvement in ADHD-related symptoms over a 3-month program
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Dr. Adrian OwencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2019Renowned neuroscientist and co-founder of Cambridge Brain Sciences. Dr. Owen's research has focused on furthering understanding of the brain for over 30 years. He serves as Chief Scientific Officer of CBS and is collaborating with Brain Balance on research to understand how cognition develops in children and young adults in a more comprehensive way than previously possible.
• Cambridge Brain SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Nationwide collaboration with Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS), a leading online platform for cognitive assessments co-founded by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Adrian Owen. CBS began a research study in May 2019 to study changes in cognitive development over time and how developmental concerns impact cognition in children and young adults. Brain Balance centers began using CBS cognitive testing as part of student assessments, measuring key areas including concentration, memory, reasoning, and verbal skills. Data collected through child and young adult cognitive assessments will help scientists better understand cognitive development in individuals struggling with ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, processing disorders, and anxiety.
• Harvard Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Harvard Medical School found that participation in the Brain Balance program was as effective as low-dose medication in reducing ADHD symptoms in children, with measurable improvements in attention, hyperactivity, and cognitive performance.
• McLean HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with McLean Hospital (affiliated with Harvard Medical School) demonstrating program effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms comparable to medication.
• Hanamaru Lab Inc. (Think! Think!)supportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party assessment tool provider integrated into Brain Balance program for cognitive training activities.
• SyncThink (EyeSync technology)supportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party assessment tool provider for visual and eye-tracking assessments integrated into student evaluations.
• The Regents of the University of California (Rhymicity)supportingTechnology or IntegrationUniversity research partner providing cognitive assessment tools for Brain Balance student evaluations.
• SMARTfit (Smart Pods)supportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party assessment tool provider for sensory-motor and cognitive training integration.
• Eyecarrot Innovations Corp. (Binovi)supportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party assessment tool provider for visual and sensory processing assessments.
• Listen Innovation Inc. (Listenwise)supportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party assessment tool provider for auditory processing and listening comprehension assessments.
• Cambridge Brain Sciences Inc.supportingTechnology or IntegrationWeb-based platform for assessment of cognitive function measuring key areas including concentration, memory, reasoning, and verbal ability. Data from Brain Balance student assessments used for research purposes.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LearningRx: LearningRx operates a national franchise network delivering one-on-one cognitive skills training programs for children and adults with learning, attention, and processing challenges. It is the closest direct competitor to Brain Balance in center-based brain training using non-medication, neuroplasticity-based protocols.
• Cortica: Cortica provides multi-disciplinary developmental care for children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, integrating therapy, medical care, and counseling. It competes with Brain Balance for the same special-needs pediatric population, particularly on the autism and developmental disorder end of the spectrum.
• Hopebridge: Hopebridge is a multi-state center-based provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and related services for children with autism and developmental delays. It is comparable in its center-based delivery model and pediatric special-needs focus, although its primary modality (ABA) differs from Brain Balance's sensory-motor/cognitive approach.
• Behavioral Innovations: Behavioral Innovations operates a multi-state network of autism treatment centers offering ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. It competes for the same pediatric autism/developmental-disorder families that Brain Balance serves, with overlapping geography in several U.S. states.
• Caravel Autism Health: Caravel Autism Health is a multi-state provider of ABA therapy and diagnostic services for children with autism, with center-based delivery. It is comparable in its pediatric special-needs focus and center-based operating model, though its clinical modality differs.

Broad incumbents

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): CARD is one of the largest U.S. providers of ABA therapy for autism spectrum disorder, with a national footprint of centers. It overlaps with Brain Balance on the autism segment and is a broader incumbent in the developmental services space.
• Cleveland Clinic Children's Neurodevelopment Center: Major academic medical centers provide clinical neurodevelopmental evaluation and therapy for ADHD, autism, and learning disorders. These institutions represent the incumbent clinical pathway that Brain Balance competes against for parents seeking developmental services, particularly when insurance reimbursement is a factor.

Emerging players

• Brightline: Brightline is a digital-first behavioral health platform specifically designed for children and teens, including ADHD and anxiety support delivered via telehealth. It represents an emerging digital challenger to center-based programs like Brain Balance, particularly for families preferring at-home delivery.
• Akili Interactive: Akili Interactive developed EndeavorRx, an FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutic for pediatric ADHD delivered via mobile app. It is comparable in targeting the same ADHD pediatric population but offers a digital, FDA-cleared alternative to Brain Balance's center-based protocol.

Others

• Understood.org: Understood.org is a non-profit resource and support platform for parents of children with learning and attention issues. While not a direct competitor, it serves as the primary online destination where parents research programs like Brain Balance, making it a key ecosystem participant and indirect acquisition channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Brain_Balance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Brain Balance