Can you tell us about your background and what led you to launch Thimble?

Manju: I’m a board-certified dermatologist with 16 years of practice and a mother of two daughters, aged 11 and 8. I founded Thimble, originally called Achelon, inspired by my experience as a parent and physician. When my daughter got her first vaccine, her reaction made me feel helpless—it highlighted the lack of attention to needle pain, which breaks trust between parents and children, and between doctors and patients. This experience made me realize the massive scale of the problem. One in four adults fears needles, and many children do too.

Thimble offers a platform of affordable, over-the-counter products that address both physical and emotional pain. Our first product is a pre-shot patch to numb the skin and a post-shot patch to reduce swelling and pain. We’ve also developed a digital platform that combines research-backed techniques to help manage needle anxiety, improving the overall experience. With 21 billion injections annually, our goal is to improve public health and make a meaningful impact.

How did you go from understanding the problem to creating the solution?

Manju: As a dermatologist, I was familiar with prescription lidocaine creams like EMLA, but they’re impractical—requiring a doctor’s visit, a co-pay, and hours to work. I researched alternatives and discovered a way to enhance lidocaine absorption for faster and more effective relief. Working with a contract research organization, we developed two patent-pending formulations.

As a dermatologist, I was familiar with prescription lidocaine creams like EMLA, but they’re impractical—requiring a doctor’s visit, a co-pay, and hours to work. I researched alternatives and discovered a way to enhance lidocaine absorption for faster and more effective relief. Working with a contract research organization, we developed two patent-pending formulations.

What challenges have you faced?

Manju: Transitioning to full-time work on Thimble was challenging. I left my dermatology practice in January but continue to see patients one day a week to stay connected to the field. Regulatory hurdles have been particularly tough, as the over-the-counter market is complex. We’ve worked with multiple consultants to navigate these challenges and found a sustainable strategy.

Funding has also been demanding. Initially self-funded, we raised a $600K pre-seed round, exceeding our goal of $500K, alongside $87K in grant money. We’re now finalizing partnerships with contract manufacturers and testing our post-procedure patch.

Where do you see Thimble going?

Manju: Our long-term goal is to make needle pain management a standard of care, much like anesthesia for surgeries. We want to pressure the healthcare industry to adopt this approach widely, ensuring accessibility like Band-Aids at doctors’ offices. As we grow, we aim to continue innovating to reduce application time and improve effectiveness.

What have you learned as a founder?

Manju: Transitioning from medicine to entrepreneurship has been eye-opening. In healthcare, your path is set from a young age, but founding a company requires creative thinking and risk-taking. I’ve learned to embrace fear and focus on being authentic. Despite the challenges, the freedom and fulfillment of building something impactful have been incredible.

What support would help you as a founder?

Manju: Regulatory advice, connections in the over-the-counter market, and insights into testing methods would be invaluable. Building a network for fundraising, business insurance guidance, and advice on forming a board would also help. We’re open to connecting with others in similar spaces to exchange ideas and learn from shared experiences.

One piece of advice for aspiring founders:

Manju: Understand yourself and let that inform your decisions. I attended a session with Jerry Colonna from Reboot, which emphasized radical self-inquiry. The takeaway: be authentic, and focus on your values to guide your journey.

Where can we learn more?

Thimble Website

Connect with Manju