Mental health platform accelerates growth plans with £300,000 Innovate UK backing
From left to right, Myndr co-founders Lizzy Hodcroft and Emma Reilly
UK mental health and wellness platform Myndr has laid down its plans for UK growth and expansion having received a £300,000 backing from the government's Innovate UK programme.
With only a 2% chance of success and over 1800 applications submitted, the company will now use the competition winning grant to roll out its vision of reaching thousands of UK employees and the general public who are in need of mental health support.
Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and set up by North East Young Entrepreneur of the year Lizzy Hodcroft and entrepreneur Emma Reilly, founder of The Brave & The Bold clothing line, Myndr is an innovative digital learning and support platform that helps company leaders and its employees help battle common mental health issues via peer-to-peer support.
Working alongside the Tyneside web development and app agency Komodo, Myndr will now launch its pioneering AI-assisted app in the next 12 months, further develop its online technology, invest in new staff and strike up partnerships with like-minded businesses.
Despite the on-going turmoil facing the world in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Innovate UK backing follows a positive start to the year for Myndr.
Last month the company was crowned the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Startup of the Year for 2020 and is currently trialling its product with the social housing giant Home Group. The feedback and insight gleaned from Home Group's employees over the coming months will be used to create the final product.
Emma and Lizzy have experienced mental health issues first-hand and have spoken openly about their struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction, as well as their frustrations with the lack of options for mental health care.
Myndr aims to create an anonymous platform that allows those suffering from common mental health issues to seek help from others who have experienced similar problems.
Speaking about Myndr's investment and its plans for the future, co-founder Lizzy Hodcroft, said: “We're incredibly honoured and proud to have received this grant. Most of the funds will be used towards further development and content for the app as we have high expectations to deliver a platform that is contextually smart as well as impactful with practical, actionable steps and content.
“We have already recruited new members of staff that will help us drive the service forward are they're helping with the agile dev to get data into the system fast.
“We have also recently recruited a new COO and we're reaching out to experienced content writers to help us deliver insightful personal stories to connect with our audience.”
Reacting to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and explaining why there's a need for Myndr now, more than ever, co-founder Emma Reilly continued: “Apart from the obvious benefit to our users in terms of support and action plans for their mental health, we are also very proud that we can offer a helping hand to many that have found themselves without a job or income during this time.
“Because of the Innovate Grant and its timing, we have been able to reach out to professionals, freelancers, doctors, peers and so many others to help to provide Myndr with courses, content and suggestions and in turn pay these amazing individuals for their service. Although we aren't able to completely solve any financial issues for people, we are very proud that we can support in some way.”
“Our service is for anyone. But I do personally feel that those feeling as though they have lost control and connection during this lockdown will find our tools most useful. The way Myndr is made with empowering individuals in mind means that we can support them in identifying issues, exploring different ways they may solve these problems and guide them to choose what solutions they feel will work best for them to move into a plan of action.”
Cllr Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for employment and culture, added: “One in four people in the UK will suffer some form of mental health problem each year, and the cost to that individual, their family and wider society can be colossal.
“Particularly at this most difficult of times it is great to see a Newcastle business securing investment, supporting jobs and looking to lead the way in tackling one of our greatest public health challenges.”
Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency, is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
It drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base.
Since 2007, it has invested around £2.5 billion to help businesses across the country to innovate, with match funding from industry taking the total value of projects above £4.3 billion.
It has also helped 8,500 organisations create around 70,000 jobs and added an estimated £18 billion of value to the UK economy.
