$45M for VA-based autism therapy provider to expand across the U.S.

Mar 31, 2026, Virginia Business: McLean autism therapy startup continues expansion

A McLean-based autism therapy startup will use $45 million in new funding to continue its expansion plans across the U.S.

Positive Development announced in January it secured $45 million in debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, and Pinegrove Venture Partners. The funds come on the heels of a $51.5 million Series C round that closed in August 2025, as well as an October announcement that it signed a national agreement to provide services to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield members, with a focus first on Virginia clients before expanding to other states.

Founded in 2020, Positive Development bills itself as the nation’s largest provider of developmental relationship-based intervention for autism, as opposed to the more traditional applied behavior analysis approach, which can run up to $70,000 annually per child. Positive Development’s in-home, play-based intervention costs up to 50% less, the company says, and it developed a proprietary AI-based platform to improve care.

“We combine mental health, speech and occupational therapies and help families develop an integrated, tailored care plan for their child that is really focused on their unique strengths but also challenges to help them grow to their full developmental potential,” says co-founder and CEO Mike Suiters.With increased awareness and better screening available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported autism prevalence among 8-year-olds increased to 1 in 31 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020.

With about 950 employees, including about 120 in the Washington region, Positive Development offers treatment in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Oklahoma, Illinois, California and Florida. The company is prioritizing expansion around areas where it’s already operating and where it can get the most buy-in from private health insurers and state Medicaid plans, Suiters says. It expects to increase by “several hundred” employees in 2026.

“Our ambition as an organization is to eventually operate in all 50 states, accepting both private insurance and Medicaid insurance,” he says.It’s difficult for health care companies to raise money right now, says Megan Scheffel, head of life sciences and health care at Silicon Valley Bank, which has worked with Positive Development for several years.

“I think between the equity and the debt raise,” she says, “it shows you that the company has some really good metrics and traction, both with clients and payers. It’s just showing you that something they’re doing is going very well.” ■