In a move that highlights the continued growth of the autism therapy industry, Soar Autism Center has successfully secured $19.3 million in its latest funding round. The Denver-based provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and autism diagnosis services was targeting a total of $20 million, as outlined in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This substantial investment comes at a time when demand for autism therapy services is surging, positioning Soar Autism Center to expand its reach and enhance its offerings for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Soar Autism Center: Pioneering Early Intervention Therapy
Soar Autism Center has built a strong reputation in the autism therapy field by focusing on early intervention, which research shows is one of the most effective approaches for children on the autism spectrum. The center specializes in offering Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism based on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a comprehensive, evidence-based therapy for children ages 6 and under. ESDM is an innovative approach that combines developmental principles, play-based strategies, and relationship-focused techniques with the proven methods of ABA. It’s designed to be both engaging and therapeutic, fostering communication, social, and behavioral skills that children on the spectrum need to thrive.
The center’s services are specifically geared toward children between 18 months and 5 years old, an age range that research suggests is critical for developing foundational skills. By focusing on these younger children, Soar Autism Center aims to provide intensive, individualized therapy that can lead to significant improvements in key areas such as social communication, cognitive development, and adaptive behavior. As part of their core mission, Soar Autism Center emphasizes the importance of Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism as the primary therapeutic method, ensuring that each child’s unique needs are met in a structured, results-driven environment.
In addition to ABA therapy, Soar Autism Center also offers speech-language pathology and occupational therapy. These services complement the Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism approach and provide a more holistic treatment for children with autism, addressing a broad range of developmental needs. The center’s goal is not just to improve specific behaviors but also to empower children to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. By taking a multidisciplinary approach, Soar Autism Center ensures that children receive comprehensive care that addresses both their clinical and developmental needs.
Expansion Plans and Growing Footprint Across Multiple States
Soar Autism Center currently operates 10 facilities in Colorado and Arizona, but the company has ambitious plans for growth. With the recent funding, Soar Autism Center is poised to open four additional locations in 2024, further expanding its footprint in these two states and providing access to its high-quality services in more communities. The expansion will not only increase the center’s capacity to serve more children but will also create new job opportunities and contribute to local economies in the areas where the centers are established.
The decision to open more facilities comes on the heels of the center’s success in its previous fundraising efforts. Soar Autism Center’s history of successful capital raising began in 2021, when it secured $2.3 million in seed funding. The following year, the company raised an impressive $16 million in a Series A funding round. These funds allowed Soar Autism Center to expand its operations, enhance its clinical capabilities, and grow its team of professionals who are dedicated to providing exceptional care for children with autism.
This latest round of $19.3 million will further fuel Soar Autism Center’s strategic growth initiatives. The funding will be allocated to expanding clinical services, enhancing the company’s infrastructure, and increasing the workforce. It will also support the development of new training programs and resources for staff to ensure that the company continues to provide the highest standards of care across all of its locations. As Soar Autism Center continues to grow, Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism will remain at the core of its therapeutic model, ensuring children receive the best care possible.
Leadership and Vision: The Goldstein Family
Soar Autism Center’s founders, Ian Goldstein and Jennifer Goldstein, have played a pivotal role in the company’s success. Ian, the CEO, and Jennifer, the COO, have driven the vision and growth of the company from its inception. Their deep understanding of the needs of children with autism and their families has been instrumental in shaping the company’s service offerings and guiding its expansion.
As CEO, Ian Goldstein has focused on scaling the business while ensuring that the company’s services remain client-centered and rooted in evidence-based practices like Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism. Under his leadership, Soar Autism Center has grown its clinical staff and expanded its offerings, always maintaining a commitment to delivering the highest level of care. Jennifer Goldstein, as COO, has overseen the company’s operational expansion, making sure that each new facility adheres to the high standards set by Soar Autism Center. Together, the Goldsteins have positioned the company as a leader in early autism intervention.
The leadership team’s vision is clear: to provide children with autism the tools they need to thrive, both during therapy and as they grow into young adults. They are committed to providing services that not only meet the clinical needs of their clients but also enrich the lives of the families they serve. As the company grows, Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism will continue to be the foundation of all treatment models.
The Broader Autism Therapy Landscape and Funding Surge
Soar Autism Center’s latest funding round places it alongside several other companies in the autism therapy and services sector that have also garnered significant investment in recent months. The surge in funding across the autism therapy industry signals growing demand for services and recognition of the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes for children with autism.
In June 2024, Positive Development, a provider of autism therapy and developmental care, raised $10 million to help expand its alternative payment model arrangements with payers. This move reflects the growing trend toward innovation in funding models to ensure better access to care.
Similarly, digital speech-language therapy provider Expressable raised $28 million in May 2024 to enhance its virtual therapy services. As the demand for telehealth and virtual care solutions grows, startups like Expressable are positioned to meet the needs of families who may have limited access to in-person therapy providers.
Also noteworthy is the funding received by EarliTec Diagnostics, a company developing digital solutions for early autism diagnosis. In April 2024, EarliTec secured $21.5 million in a Series B round to fund clinical research and advance its groundbreaking early diagnosis technology. This effort is part of a larger push to detect autism at earlier stages, enabling earlier and more effective intervention.
The Autism Impact Fund, a major player in the space, also raised $60 million in April 2024 to invest in companies working to improve autism services and therapies. The fund’s portfolio includes high-growth companies such as Cortica, SpectrumAi, and Floreo, all of which are focused on advancing treatment options and therapies for autism.
Forta, an ABA startup, made headlines in January 2024 when it raised $55 million. The company, which had previously paid parents of children with autism to become registered behavior technicians (RBTs), recently shifted its business model. Despite this transition, Forta’s fundraising success shows the increasing investor interest in the autism care space.
The Path Forward for Soar Autism Center
With its new $19.3 million in funding, Soar Autism Center is well-positioned to continue its growth and expand its impact on the lives of children with autism. The company’s approach to early intervention, combined with a wide range of therapeutic services, makes it a valuable resource for families seeking help.
As the company prepares to open new centers, hire more staff, and further refine its offerings, Soar Autism Center’s leadership is committed to maintaining the high standards that have made it a trusted name in the field. The increasing interest in autism therapy and the steady flow of investment into the sector signal a bright future for providers like Soar Autism Center, which are helping to redefine the landscape of autism care and intervention.
Soar Autism Center’s success is not just a win for the company itself, but for the many children and families who will benefit from its services in the years to come. As the company continues to expand and innovate, Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism will remain at the heart of its mission to deliver lasting, positive change for children with autism.
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