ADHD Start-Up ‘Found Focus’ Takes Flight in Greensboro, NC

Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, the history major stumbled upon an unforeseen path at Elon, eventually leading him to launch his start-up, Found Focus.

Although Charlie De Poortere is a Greensboro native, his journey from Elon University senior to start-up founder has been anything but linear. His upcoming launch of Found Focus, a program aimed at supporting young adults with ADHD, marks a significant personal and professional milestone.

Majoring in history, De Poortere admits he didn’t fully grasp the extent of his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) until he transferred to Elon in his junior year. He struggled with conventional treatments: medication was ineffective, books offered little help, and numerous doctor’s visits provided no lasting solutions. A scholarship had originally led him to a Northern college, but the overwhelming transition left him feeling isolated and uncertain.

At a crossroads, De Poortere sought a change, finding support from family, friends, and doctors. With their help, he learned how his ADHD affected his learning process. A life-coaching program was pivotal, helping him identify his goals and purpose. A fresh perspective revealed the opportunities Elon could offer, giving him the foundation he needed to thrive.

“Basically, I’ve struggled with ADHD my entire life,” De Poortere said. “It took me a really long time to figure out what I needed. And it was a really complicated process in that.”

Helping others navigate a similar journey inspired Found Focus, his new start-up. Designed specifically for young adults with ADHD, Found Focus is a comprehensive lifestyle program that supports the unique challenges faced during the transition to independence. With Found Focus’ pilot program set to launch in mid-June, De Poortere is committed to helping others manage ADHD in ways that promote success and well-being.

Surprisingly, De Poortere didn’t initially picture himself as an entrepreneur. His passion lay in history and analytics, which led him to roles that allowed him to work with data. During his senior year, he served as the director of analytics for Elon News Network, but a new opportunity was about to present itself.

In the fall, Associate Professor Sean McMahon emailed De Poortere and his classmates in the Incubator/Creativity/Innovation/Entrepreneurship class, urging them to brainstorm project ideas. Despite having no business experience, De Poortere saw this as a chance to take a leap.

“Eventually, I told my parents, ‘You know, this could be an opportunity where I can just try something and if it doesn’t work, that’s OK.’ But I at least want to try this out,” he recalled. “And, lo and behold, I now have the prototype of the app on my phone.”

Found Focus has evolved into a robust, evidence-based program with an expert-reviewed curriculum, weekly coaching sessions, and an app that includes features like group forums, habit tracking, a lesson library, a daily planner, and a Pomodoro method timer. This innovative platform is intended to empower college students, helping them understand their ADHD and implement positive behavioral changes to support a fulfilling college experience.

During development, De Poortere collaborated with faculty and staff from Elon, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His advisers included Kelly Furnas, senior lecturer in journalism, who helped address the app’s usability; James Holsinger, executive director of the Koenigsberger Learning Center, who provided research support; and Alexa Darby, professor of psychology, who guided the coaching curriculum.

Darby, who has nearly 30 years of experience working with college students with ADHD, met with De Poortere weekly, sharing valuable research and advice. She emphasized the importance of a research-based approach, which De Poortere adopted wholeheartedly.

“To Charlie’s credit, he really educated himself. He read a ton of ADHD, and he brought what he learned into the app’s different units on mindfulness, nutrition and other topics,” Darby remarked.

Darby highlighted that the coaching feature in Found Focus is particularly innovative. “The coaching the app offers is really new ground,” she said. “Yes, the daily aspects of the program are great, but the coaching is one of the things I personally like about the app. I think that’s going to appeal to a lot of students where they receive real-time assistance.”

Elon has supported De Poortere’s journey not only through mentorship but also through an Elon Innovation Grant, which provided funding to help launch the pilot program. This financial support will go towards hiring coaches, a key component of Found Focus’ offering.

After graduating in May, De Poortere will continue his journey at Elon by enrolling in the M.S. in Business Analytics program at the Love School of Business. He sees this as the next step in his path to success, utilizing his strengths in data and problem-solving.

“I feel like that I finally figured out what my brain is really good at, right?” he said. “For me, I enjoy data and identifying problems and looking for connections that are there. You just have to look for them.”

As De Poortere transitions into his new role with Found Focus, he remains committed to making a positive impact on young adults with ADHD, helping them navigate the unique challenges of their condition and find tools that work for them. Through both his personal journey and the creation of Found Focus, he hopes to show others that success is possible, no matter the obstacles.