Focus@Will

Focus@Will is a neuroscience based subscription service that uses phase sequenced playlists of instrumental music designed to improve users’ productivity.

The company is based out of Los Angeles.

Service
All of the music featured on the service's application is instrumental. Users choose from a number of different channels, including classical, up tempo, focus spa, cinematic, and ambient.

The app allows its users to personalize the effectiveness of the focus enhancement by immediately skipping tracks that they find distracting. The service also includes a timer function and a productivity tracker.

History
The beta version of Focus@Will was released in December 2012.

Beginning in April 2013 the company expanded the service to international markets. The expanded service incorporated a timer for users to set work session intervals, and a productivity tracking function to measure efficiency and focus.

A Focus@will mobile app and freemium service were released in May 2013.

The company is backed by the Pritzker Foundation, other private investors and Singularity University. As of February 2013, it has raised approximately $3.5 million.

Focus studies
Research has shown that most people cannot focus for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Focus@will has claimed its music streaming service can help most users concentrate steadily for up to 100 minutes.

A team of researchers from UCLA worked with the Focus@will developers to test and refine the playlist sequencing technology. Track duration, tempo, musical key, and intensity were all taken into consideration when selections for the playlists were made. The library of music that the Focus@will team has curated is designed to both quiet the fight-or-flight response and soothe the limbic system of the brain, preventing interruptions and distractions.

Will Henshall
Founder and CEO Will Henshall founded Rocket Network and created DigiDelivery, which was sold to Avid Audio in 2003.

He is also a professional musician, serving as a member of the UK soul/pop group Londonbeat. Henshall co-wrote the group’s #1 selling songs, “I've Been Thinking About You,” and “Come Back”