Marta Rebelo’s Post

𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 >> 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 >> 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭 >> 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞; 𝐎𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭 Last month I had applied for a startup grant for Thrive Cafe as part of a pitch competition for mental health startups.. and was thrilled to make the shortlist into semi finals. I, like any founder who completely believes in their product, was really optimistic about getting the much needed grant. Unfortunately, we didn't make it. And I have no clue why!!! I was totally crushed. This was not the first time I was experiencing rejection as an entrepreneur. But, I couldn't feel okay because it wasn't okay at all! I started with a feeling of personal failure. That converted into a downward spiral for a day or so in self doubt. But I gave myself time to process the hurt and only when I felt nearly okay, I started my self reflection process. I dissected every aspect of the pitch discussion, and ended up with some hypothesis of why it happened. This process helps me with some ideas or inputs on how to improve the next time. And I start again. Sometimes I think about how I get so much energy to get up every single time that I am able to do this again and again. But then, I’m told that building something from scratch requires more than just passion, it requires a mix of perseverance, resilience, and faith that “I can do it irrespective of anything.” Having said that, I wanted to share one more thing that we startup founders tend to forget while chasing our dreams. 45% of startup founders deal with mental health issues. I can totally relate to it. To create something new in the middle of total ambiguity and uncertainty can take a toll on mental health. I have a therapist and a few friends who help me sort out my mind, deal with my demons and come out sane on the other side. I hope others out there are creating a similar support system. Self care comes in different forms. Whatever form works for you, hope you’re investing in yourself. #thrivecafe #startupfounders #mentalhealth #resilience

Last week, I had an energizing conversation with the founder and CEO of Beckley Psytech, one of the leading mental health startups I've backed as an angel investor. The passion and dedication radiating from Cosmo reinforced why I believe so deeply in their mission. In our world today, mental wellness is not just a necessity, but an imperative. Investing in mental health startups is a commitment to fostering wellness and wellbeing. I believe mental wellness is at the foundation of all aspects of creating a healthier and happier world. With exceptional companies like Beckley Psytech at the forefront in the UK, the future of mental health is looking brighter. Their recent investment from atai Life Sciences is a testament to their significant potential. Courageous founders like Lars Christian Wilde are transforming these dreams into reality. As we move forward, I'm beyond thrilled to watch the transformative impact Beckley Psytech will make, not just within the UK, but globally. We're all in this together, and it's our shared responsibility to champion mental health. Here's to shaping a future where mental health is prioritized, stigma-free, and accessible to all. If you're a growth stage mental health or wellbeing startup CEO or investor, I'd love to share with you what we at Nfluence Partners are seeing in the market in mental health fundraising and M&A activity. If you're an early stage mental health or wellbeing investor or founder, I'd love to connect with you to learn more about what you're focused on that’s creating a positive impact. Message me here to start the conversation. I hope you take the time today to do whatever brings you joy and serenity. #mentalhealth #wellness #wellbing #impact #angelinvesting #VC #fundraising #startups #M&A #founders #entrepreneurs #investors #investmentbanks

🌟 Let me tell you a short tale about mental wellbeing and founders..... Once upon a time, in the highly competitive world of startups, there was a founder named Alex. Despite facing mounting pressure from investors and a tough market, Alex soldiered on alone. His independence got him to where he is today 🚀 With each passing day, he felt he got a promotion, but without any title change. The weight of responsibilities grew heavier, his role became bigger and bigger, spending much of his time out of his comfort zone. The stress began to take its toll. Sleepless nights turned into restless days, and soon, Alex found themselves trapped in a cycle of anxiety and burnout.  Without a support system to lean on, not knowing where to go, no-one asking him proactively how he was doing, the journey became unbearable, and the once-promising startup wasn’t doing so well anymore. ➡ Result: Limited business success, unhappy employees, and no real personal happiness 💔 But amidst the chaos, there was another founder, named Jamie. Jamie was made aware of the importance of seeking support and building resilience. 💪 With the active help of their investors and a network of fellow entrepreneurs, Jamie navigated the challenges of startup life with grace and determination. Through regular coaching sessions and access to mental health resources, Jamie learned to prioritize self-care and manage stress effectively. ➡ Result: Jamie's startup not only survived but thrived in the long run, but became a success in the startup ecosystem. 🚀 Founders like Alex and Jamie, exist in the real world. There are plenty of them. And everyone deserves a community like Jamie's. It makes a founder (and therefore its company and all the people involved) more holistically successful. ▶ I personally believe: it really does take a village and you need to get yourself a dream team. #ExecutiveCoaching #FounderSupport #StartupSuccess #CommunityEmpowerment #ResilienceJourney #community

Big thanks to Emma Joy Obanye, CEO of OneTech, for mentioning our research in her insightful article on Sifted 'So you want to be a startup founder? Do these 10 things first.' Emma highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health on the startup journey—a vital tip for all entrepreneurs, both young and seasoned. This resonates with our latest mental health report, where crucial data points have been integrated to reinforce Emma's powerful message. Remember to carve out time for self-care! For the full article>> https://lnkd.in/dm8rnbMX #founderjourney #entrepreneurmindset #startupecosystem #becomeanentrepreneur #startupfounders

According to Startup Snapshot, 72% of founders struggle with mental health. As the Director of Community and Marketing at ClimateHaven, where we support #climatetech startups, partners, and investors, I can safely say that this is one of the most important and overlooked topics to reach founders. As a former founder now helping other entrepreneurs find success, I consider it a moral imperative to help others have an easier, less-lonely startup story. Which is why I am grateful to Gabriel Parisi-Amon for candidly sharing insights about the "hidden" side of being a startup founder, and the ways in which our supercharged and relentless reach for business milestones can lead to burnout. Gabe’s honesty was a powerful reminder that success is not only about hitting those milestones, but about taking care of ourselves and each other throughout the process While we didn't record the workshop at ClimateHaven, you can watch the full Burnout Manifesto here: https://lnkd.in/dxsMrU32 Learn, support, repeat.

Your startup culture sucks. Here‘s how you fix it 1. Daily check ins with your stakeholders: How are you feeling, what‘s troubling you today, general mental health chats with zero judgement. Don‘t come up with solutions in this session, just give a listening ear. 2. Collaboration: If you rely on other stakeholders to keep collaboration alive, you‘ve got it wrong. All is equal here- make sure to do your part. 3. Radical transparency. Give more info than you think the other needs to know- that way you rely on each other to be each other‘s second brains instead of gatekeeping and not growing faster. 4. Courage: courage to embrace change whenever it inevitably comes. #culture #startups #stakeholders 📸 Roya Farrokhzadeh

As the founder of Wahter, I've been on an incredible journey navigating the world of startups. It's been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but through it all, one thing has become abundantly clear that the hustle culture is both a driving force and a double-edged sword. In the startup ecosystem, there's this unspoken expectation to hustle relentlessly and don't get me wrong, determination and hard work are absolutely essential for building something meaningful. But amidst the chaos, it's easy to forget about the importance of mental health. So here's a gentle reminder, to my fellow founders and startup enthusiasts: take care of yourselves. Prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. #leadership #founders #startup

So you’ve decided to set up a company… but where to start? Calling all prospective founders - our CEO and OneTech Co-founder Emma Joy Obanye has distilled her Top 10 Tips for launching a startup, written exclusively for Sifted. Emma uses her knowledge gained from working with 2,500 founders, as well as exiting her own venture, to draw upon the victories, challenges and mistakes that have shaped her as an entrepreneur and leader. Speaking candidly about the lessons she wished she’d known from day one - spanning startup legalities, playing the name game and protecting your physical and mental health - Emma’s actionable list touches upon every slice of the early startup rollercoaster. For your very own Founder 101 head to the comments for the Sifted link. So - what would you add to the list?

Part 5 of Our Series "Insights from Startup and Tech Conferences" is Here! In this latest edition, "Investing in Mental Health and Purpose: A New Perspective in the Startup Ecosystem," we explore the crucial role of mental health in the startup community. Highlights: 🔹 The significance of mental health and community support in startup success. 🔹 How we're addressing the mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs. 🔹 The Cluster’s commitment to integrating mental health tools and self-care into our strategic planning. Join us in uncovering the compassionate side of entrepreneurship and the importance of mental well-being in the startup world. Don't miss the secrets to fostering a mentally healthy and purpose-driven startup ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gsA23rAE #MentalHealthAwareness #PurposeDrivenStartup #InsightsSeries #Entrepreneurship

It seems that the main problem with care-provider mental health startups is that investors don't understand what it is they're selling. Here's a list of things that AREN'T the product:  ❌ Therapists.  ❌ The chance to lay eyes on a therapist via zoom.  ❌ Sessions. Here's what IS the product:  ✅ Care that improves mental health. That means that, when investors are looking for ways to make things more "efficient" (read: 💰💰), you're not optimizing for number of therapists or sessions. You should be optimizing for care QUALITY. A business manager who walks into a Coca-Cola plant and suggests saving money by filling the bottles with water instead of soda isn't a genius. Neither is an investor who wants to increase revenue by pressuring therapists or cutting resources. They're just out of touch with what's going to make the company a success. #mentalhealth #therapy #startups