$60M Bet on AI Replacing Addiction Therapy
About this episode
Koby Conrad discusses his $60M bet on using AI to solve addiction therapy challenges.
The recovery market is broken, and most VCs are too scared to touch it. Koby Conrad (CEO of Sunflower) joins the show to discuss why he’s betting his career on solving addiction using AI. After a successful exit at Rupa Health, Koby moved to Buenos Aires with nothing but a backpack to "vibe code" the future of sobriety. In this episode, we dive into the "no-meeting" SAFE phenomenon, why SaaS moats are dying, and how Sunflower reached $1M ARR in record time. What you will learn: Why the "Wellness" category is a trap for serious founders. How to raise capital in "emotionally difficult" or stigmatized markets. The strategy behind giving away software for free to monetize physical "atoms." Inside the YC Fall 25 batch: What has changed since 2019. Why AI sponsors are actually more effective for lonely users than human ones. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Choosing Mission Over Money 00:30 YC Roaster Sponsor Break 01:14 Why Addiction Is Underserved 02:08 What Sunflower Builds 03:24 Fundraising In A Stigmatized Market 05:14 Why Not A Wellness App 08:00 Stigma Parallels And Founder Backstory 10:37 YC Twice And The Compounding…
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