life aid research institute

What life aid research institute does

Life Aid Research Institute is a Calabasas, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 by John Wordin to reduce suicide among military veterans and first responders. The organization delivers an integrative therapy approach that combines peer support, functional medicine, technology, and community activation to address PTSD, TBI, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and suicide risk. Its service portfolio includes the LifeScore App (an interactive mobile tool tracking five whole health categories and cognitive function), clinical therapies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Infrared Sauna Therapy, brain imaging and brain mapping for personalized therapeutic planning, and multi-day retreats held across the United States (including the SOAR program in Newport Beach, CA). The organization has served more than 2,800 veterans and first responders with documented outcomes including 62% of participants reducing or eliminating prescription drug use and 83% reducing PTSD-related stress attacks.

The organization operates as a donation-funded nonprofit with all therapies and services provided free of charge to participants. Revenue derives from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and partnerships with foundations, with 90% of all money raised directed to programs. Strategic partnerships include Amen Clinics (brain health services via the Cognoscenti Project), Al Roker Entertainment (a documentary aired on Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel, and Science Channel), Wake Forest University School of Medicine (Dr. Christopher Whitlow on the advisory board), and Cerner (health information technology integration). Distribution is event-driven through retreats and Challenges across multiple US cities, supplemented by WhatsApp-based HOPE Community Groups for peer support. The organization holds GuideStar Platinum and Charity Navigator Seal of Transparency certifications and is advised by Dr. Daniel Amen (CEO and Founder of Amen Clinics) and other clinical experts.

Name

life aid research institute

Legal name

Life Aid Research Institute

Website

https://lifeaidhope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Life Aid Research Institute is a Calabasas, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that delivers free integrative therapies — including the LifeScore App, HBOT, infrared sauna, brain imaging, and multi-day retreats — to reduce suicide and improve brain health in military veterans and first responders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Calabasas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Life Aid Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on charitable donations from individuals. 90% of all money raised goes directly to programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners support research, fund retreats, or create branded fundraisers. Partners include corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
3. Product Sales - Brainwave Blend Coffee: Brainwave Blend coffee is roasted by a Life Aid participant with 100% of proceeds donated to Life Aid Research Institute.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Life Aid Research Institute delivers an integrative whole-health program that combines peer support, functional medicine, brain imaging and brain mapping assessments, clinical therapies (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Infrared Sauna), the LifeScore mobile app, and community-led retreats to reduce suicide and improve brain health in military veterans and first responders. All therapies, retreats, and wellness programs are provided free of charge to participants, funded by charitable donations and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Life Aid Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers a unified portfolio of wellness programs and research services for military veterans, first responders, and their families. The core offering combines the LifeScore App (an interactive mobile tool tracking five whole health categories and cognitive function) with in-person Life Aid Connecting Retreats and Challenges, supplemented by clinical therapies including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Infrared Sauna Therapy. The organization also sells Brainwave Blend Coffee as a fundraising product and produced the documentary 'Life Aid - A Story of Hope' with Al Roker Entertainment. The approach is integrative and evidence-based, utilizing peer support, technology, functional medicine, and community activation to improve whole health and reduce suicide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LifeScore App: Interactive app addressing five whole health categories contributing to personal resilience: State of Mind, Food, Nutrition, Fitness, Sleep, and includes a Cognitive Function assessment tool
• VOICE Project
• Brainwave Blend

Products and services

• LifeScore App

Quantifiable outcome

• 62% of participants reduce or eliminate prescription drug use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Al Roker EntertainmentcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2020Life Aid Research Institute partnered with Al Roker Entertainment to create and produce 'Life Aid - A Story of Hope' documentary to air on Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel, and Science Channel. The partnership aims to raise awareness about veteran and first responder suicide prevention.
• Amen ClinicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Daniel Amen, CEO & Founder of Amen Clinics (Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Neuroscientist), serves on the Life Aid Advisory Board. The Cognoscenti Project launched a partnership with Amen Clinics for brain health services.
• Wake Forest University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Christopher T. Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA, Chair of Radiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, serves on the Life Aid Advisory Board, providing medical and research expertise.
• Collins CoffeesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollins Coffees roasts 'Brainwave Blend' coffee created by a Life Aid participant, with 100% of proceeds donated to Life Aid Research Institute. This is a product partnership supporting fundraising efforts.
• No Vet AlonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNo Vet Alone launched the LifeAid National Initiative to Reduce Military Veteran and First Responder Suicide in March 2020. This is the originating organization behind Life Aid's suicide prevention programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Headstrong Project: Nonprofit providing free, confidential PTSD treatment to veterans through a network of clinicians. Directly comparable to Life Aid on free veteran mental health services, though more narrowly focused on clinical PTSD treatment versus integrative therapy stack.
• Cohen Veterans Network: Nonprofit operating a national network of outpatient mental health clinics providing no-cost care to veterans and their families. Comparable to Life Aid on veteran mental health delivery and no-cost access model, though it uses a clinical-clinic delivery model rather than retreats.
• Stop Soldier Suicide: Veteran-focused nonprofit dedicated exclusively to reducing military suicides through data-driven programs, peer support, and treatment navigation. Highly comparable to Life Aid on the specific suicide-prevention mission for active-duty and veteran populations, with a similar donation-funded, peer-support GTM model.
• America's Warrior Partnership: Nonprofit that connects veterans to community-based resources and support, including suicide prevention. Comparable to Life Aid on community-driven GTM and veteran focus, though it operates more as a referral/coordination network rather than direct therapy provider.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing programs and services to wounded veterans including mental health, brain injury, and suicide prevention. Most comparable to Life Aid in target population (veterans) and mission overlap (PTSD, TBI, mental health support), though it operates at much larger scale with broader programmatic breadth.
• Soldier On: Nonprofit providing housing, employment, and wellness services to at-risk and homeless veterans. Comparable to Life Aid on veteran-focused nonprofit model and holistic support, though more focused on housing/employment rather than clinical therapy and brain health.
• Home Base (Massachusetts General Hospital): Nonprofit program of Mass General Brigham providing clinical care and wellness support for veterans, service members, and their families affected by PTSD and TBI. Directly comparable on integrative veteran mental health treatment, including retreats and clinical services, with stronger academic hospital affiliation.
• Give an Hour: Nonprofit that mobilizes mental health professionals to provide free services to veterans, active-duty service members, and other at-risk populations. Comparable to Life Aid on free mental health delivery and veteran/first-responder focus, though its model is volunteer clinician hours versus whole-health programs.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Federal agency providing healthcare, mental health, and suicide prevention services to veterans through the Veterans Health Administration. Adjacent incumbent providing similar mental health and suicide prevention services at massive scale via traditional clinical infrastructure; Life Aid's outcome claims (58% VA cost reduction) position it as a potential VA partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lifeaidhope
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuKswXV8oxLkwgiS1sNrtdg
• Facebookfacebook.com/novetalone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/life-aid-research-institute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about life aid research institute