Sunnyside, a digital health company focused on managing alcohol consumption, has raised $11.5 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Motley Fool Ventures with participation from Will Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to approximately $14.6 million. The funding will support brand building, product development, and expanded marketing efforts as Sunnyside continues to position itself as a leader in digital health for alcohol use.
Sunnyside sets itself apart from traditional treatment models by focusing on moderation rather than abstinence. Instead of requiring users to quit drinking entirely, the platform offers tools that support users in cutting back and building healthier habits. This approach is redefining what support can look like in the realm of digital health for alcohol use.
A Flexible Pathway for Behavior Change
CEO Nick Allen explains that the current narrative around alcohol use is often too black-and-white—either you have a serious drinking problem that requires sobriety, or your drinking isn’t an issue at all. Sunnyside aims to address this gap by recognizing that alcohol use disorder is a spectrum. Through digital health for alcohol use, the company offers a middle path—one that helps people gain control over their drinking without requiring complete abstinence.
This is especially important because many people delay getting help due to the fear of having to give up drinking altogether. Sunnyside gives them the option to make meaningful changes without the pressure of an all-or-nothing commitment.
How the Platform Works
Sunnyside operates on a subscription model priced at $99 per year. Users begin by setting personal goals—like avoiding hangovers, saving money, or reducing calories. They answer questions about their drinking habits, and the platform creates a customized plan using behavior change techniques.
The app sends SMS-based nudges, offers access to a supportive community, and provides one-on-one peer coaching. Members can track how much they drink, how many alcohol calories they’ve cut, and how much money they’ve saved. It’s a strong example of digital health for alcohol use creating real, measurable change in daily behavior.
Making Moderation the Norm
One of Sunnyside’s key goals is to make alcohol moderation as normalized as tracking diet or exercise. As Allen puts it, “We’re working to make managing alcohol consumption as common and socially accepted as managing diet, exercise, and mindfulness as components of our proactive wellness.” That vision reflects a larger shift in the digital health for alcohol use space—one that emphasizes personal goals and gradual progress over rigid rules.
What’s Next for Sunnyside
With the new funding, Sunnyside will invest in product improvements, broaden its brand visibility, and reach more users. Part of this strategy includes expanding the leadership team—Sunnyside recently appointed Steve Lloyd, formerly of Strava, as its Chief Product and Technology Officer. He is the first non-founder to join the company’s C-suite, signaling a new chapter of growth.
As more people seek digital-first solutions for their health and wellness, Sunnyside’s presence in the digital health for alcohol use category is expected to grow significantly.
A Growing Digital Market for Alcohol and Substance Use Support
Sunnyside isn’t alone in targeting this growing market. Pelago (formerly Quit Genius) has raised $78.6 million to develop digital services and telehealth options for alcohol, tobacco, and opioid use disorders. Affect Therapeutics secured $16 million in Series A funding in July, and Kyros raised $10.5 million in August to support its digital addiction treatment platform.
These companies, alongside Sunnyside, are helping expand access and reduce stigma by promoting digital health for alcohol use as an effective alternative to traditional, often inaccessible treatment models.
A New Era in Digital Health for Alcohol Use
Sunnyside’s success underscores a major shift in how we view and manage alcohol consumption. With millions in new funding and a clear mission to make moderation more mainstream, the company is poised to change the conversation around alcohol use. As digital health for alcohol use becomes more accepted and integrated into everyday wellness, platforms like Sunnyside will continue to lead the way.
