Revery Secures $2M to Revolutionize Mental Health with Mobile Games

The Importance of Sleep and Revery's Innovative Approach

Shakespeare famously characterized sleep as a vital component of a fulfilling life, a “chief nourisher in life’s feast.” However, a significant number of adults currently struggle to achieve restful sleep. Revery is a company dedicated to addressing this issue through a novel application that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia with engaging mobile gaming mechanics.

Revery's Founding and Initial Funding

Established in March 2021, Revery is presently operating in a beta phase and anticipates a public launch in the United States in the coming months. The company recently announced the successful completion of a $2 million funding round, spearheaded by Sequoia Capital India’s Surge program. Additional investors included GGV Capital, Pascal Capital, zVentures – the corporate venture division of Razer – and several angel investors such as Albert Lee, co-founder of MyFitnessPal; gaming industry veteran Juha Paananen; Kunal Shah, founder of CRED; Sai Srinivas, founder of Mobile Premier League; Carolin Krenzer; and Josh Lee.

The Team Behind Revery

The founders of Revery, Tammie Siew and Khoa Tran, were initially connected through a mutual acquaintance. Prior to establishing the startup, Siew gained experience at Sequoia Capital India, Boston Consulting Group, and CRED. Tran previously served as a product manager at Google.

Future Plans and Core Focus

While Revery intends to expand its focus to encompass other mental health concerns in the future, the company is initially concentrating on sleep due to its strong link to overall mental wellbeing. Siew explained to TechCrunch that they are utilizing well-established and rigorously tested cognitive behavioral therapy protocols for insomnia, refined over three decades. The long-term objective is to develop a portfolio of games targeting various wellness areas.

The Prevalence of Insomnia

Research from Infinium indicates that approximately 30% to 45% of the global adult population experiences insomnia, a condition that has been notably worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged sleep deprivation is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including hypertension, stroke, depression, and a compromised immune system.

A Personal Connection to the Mission

The Revery team’s dedication to improving sleep is deeply rooted in personal experiences. Siew stated that each member of the team has a direct connection to the mission, having either personally faced mental health challenges or witnessed loved ones struggle. They recognize the importance of early intervention to prevent potentially avoidable consequences.

Khoa Tran's Personal Journey

Tran’s own health journey highlighted the critical role of sleep. At age 15, he received diagnoses of hypertension and other medical conditions requiring medication. It wasn’t until he was 26 that he discovered sleep apnea was the underlying cause. Following successful surgery, Tran’s blood pressure normalized, and many of his other health issues improved significantly.

“It was only after receiving treatment for my sleep disorder that I fully understood the profound impact of sleep on mental health,” Tran shared. “I was fortunate to have a doctor identify my condition and the resources to access treatment, but this is not the case for many individuals.”

Expert Medical Guidance

Revery benefits from the guidance of a distinguished medical advisory team, including Dr. Stanley Liu, director of the Stanford Sleep Surgery Fellowship; Dr. Fiona Barwick, a behavioral sleep medicine expert and Stanford professor; and Dr. Ryan Kelly, a clinical psychologist researching the therapeutic applications of video games.

A Unique Approach to Sleep Improvement

Existing sleep applications often emphasize meditation (like Calm and Headspace) or ambient sounds. Revery is taking a different path, drawing inspiration from the design principles of casual mobile games, which are engineered to encourage frequent, short play sessions over extended periods. The aim is to transform CBT practices into interactive and enjoyable experiences, seamlessly integrating them into users’ daily lives.

Leveraging Gamification for Positive Habits

“The gameplay mechanics employed by Zynga and King are central to our approach, which is why Kriti’s experience is invaluable,” Siew noted. Casual games are built around rewarding players for small accomplishments, and Revery will utilize this principle to reinforce behaviors that promote better sleep, such as limiting phone usage.

“Many people mistakenly believe that improving sleep solely depends on the moment they attempt to fall asleep,” Siew explained. “However, sleep is influenced by daily activities, thoughts, and behaviors. Sustainable sleep improvement requires addressing these factors throughout the day, not just at bedtime.”

Investor Confidence in Revery's Vision

GGV Capital managing director Jenny Lee expressed enthusiasm for the expanding mental wellness market and highlighted Revery’s potential to make a significant impact through its innovative game-based approach. She affirmed the firm’s support for the mission-driven team behind the venture.