Ronroo helps people develop self-regulation skills with research-based exercises. The company is among 10 startups that were selected to Health Incubator Helsinki in 2025. 

Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes that help us plan, make decisions and turn our intentions into action. Problems in executive functioning are often linked to ADHD, yet in reality the system can be disrupted in numerous conditions and life situations.

“ADHD is the best-known of them, but executive dysfunction is also common in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and people living with chronic pain or insomnia. A good example of the latter is new parents, who may temporarily show ADHD-like characteristics just because they need to wake up throughout the night,” explains Polaris Koi, co-founder of digital health startup Ronroo.

Koi, who holds a PhD in philosophy, has focused on interdisciplinary research on self-control, decision-making and executive functioning. Over the years, he kept encountering the same issue: problems in self-regulation are extremely common, but we still lack accessible, diagnosis-independent support for them

He decided to create a solution himself. First came the idea for the app, and the next turning point was bringing in co-founder and cybersecurity expert Juho Räsänen. Today, the four-member team is putting the finishing touches on a demo of their psychoeducational app, Ronroo.

“Ronroo is for anyone who needs support with executive functioning. For example, for people who have read about ADHD and recognized a bit of themselves in it, no matter whether they want to seek a diagnosis or not,” Koi says.

Not a new task manager or habit tracker

All members of the Ronroo team are neurodivergent themselves, which means they belong to the same audience the app is built for.

“I think that genuinely enriches our company. We have both knowledge and lived experience, as each of us has found our own ways of navigating these challenges,” Koi says.

The individual strategies and skills Koi refers to are the foundation for making real, lasting improvements in self-regulation. What works for one person may not work for another, because executive dysfunction can have its roots in multiple causes. 

That’s why a key element of Ronroo’s approach is helping users build self-understanding.

According to Koi, that sets Ronroo apart from task managers and habit trackers. 

“Those tools can help with time management, but they don’t address the underlying issue. Our target users know that blocking time for a task doesn’t always mean the task gets done”, he explains.

Ronroo breaks challenges into small reflection tasks and exercises that adapt to the user’s life situation. These bite-sized tasks help users understand how their mind works – why, for instance, household chores come easily but starting a school assignment feels impossible.

“Often, trackers create a burst of enthusiasm followed by self-blame when they fail to transform your everyday life. Progress happens when users understand their own patterns and what really drives their motivation,” Koi says.

Support for every budget

Another core principle behind Ronroo is that getting help should never depend on a person’s financial situation. For example, therapy can be effective, but even with subsidies or insurance, the cost ​is still more than people on a tight budget can afford.

​​“It’s good to keep in mind that executive dysfunction can itself affect a person’s ability to earn,” Koi notes.

And therapy is not always the kind of support someone with difficulties in self-regulation needs, at least not on its own.

“Our target group does know that therapy exists, but for one reason or another, it’s not what they are looking for. Sometimes it’s the price, sometimes they need support that fits more naturally into their everyday life”, Koi says.

“An app that’s always available and adapts to their situation can feel easier to approach. Research also shows that some people prefer to start working things out with an app before talking to another person,” he adds.

Polaris Koi, co-founder of Ronroo

Next up: piloting the app

Ronroo’s product consists of two parts: the app itself and Ronroo Lab, a platform where all the research-based materials used by the app are stored. The platform is already complete, and the team is now preparing to pilot the app in early 2026.

To broaden their business expertise and accelerate the app’s journey to the market, Ronroo joined Health Incubator Helsinki in spring 2025. According to Koi, the program has given the team practical support in various areas and opened doors to valuable conversations and events. 

He also considers it important that Finland has a dedicated program for health sector startups.

“At Health Incubator Helsinki, there’s a clear understanding that when it comes to health, failing fast isn’t always the best possible mindset. Health startups often need to move at a slightly more careful pace. The HIH team helps us recognize which parts of our product require careful fine-tuning and where we can safely speed up,” Koi explains.

The societal need for making it to the market faster is pressing, and the statistics show it clearly. In the UK alone, nearly 700,000 people are currently waiting for an ADHD assessment. The queues for similar evaluations are long in Finland as well, and whatever the country, they consist only of people who are ready to wait and go through the long diagnostic process.

“I believe that low-threshold support like Ronroo can also ease the pressure on diagnostic pathways. For some people, the app may provide enough clarity and practical help that they feel they no longer need a diagnosis.”

Check out all the companies in the Health Incubator Helsinki program.

Text: Saana Lehtinen, Uoma Media Oy

Photos: Pexels (header image), Ronroo