Building an inner foundation for an outer world worth living in
Operating as an impact investor, grant giver, and thought leader, we’re here to spark and facilitate a radical shift in the global social crisis.
Improving the state of inner health for emerging adults and fighting for diversity and inclusion. The Inner Foundation invests in solutions that increase and inspire inner health and strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in society. Uniting public, private, and non-profit efforts that cultivate healthy human development – for real.
What is inner health?
Well-being of individuals and societies, safeguarded and sustained by connection – to oneself, others, and the entire world.
To seal the gap between thinking
and doing
We enable know-how to reach the streets.
From academic research to creative impulses. From financial backing to hands-on networking. From idea to action in a single breath.
Once you have an insight, you have a responsibility.
Are you driven to heal inner health for emerging adults and have an idea, solution, or business working towards it? We’re so happy you found us.
We support…
…these engaging changemakers. Their work in the world is making real inroads in the world of inner health. We are proud to join them on their essential journey.
“They are just as interested in hearing about our challenges as our successes, wisely guiding us when we ask for|it.”
– Tiffany Boswell, Co-founder, Meela
Meela Health provides personalized mental health care for women – by women. Research-based, the service matches women to their best-fit therapist and therapy.
Invested: 2021
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“As donors, they offer us tremendous trust. We are equals working towards the same end|goal.”
– Sean Mayberry, CEO, Strong|Minds
Strong Minds brings mental health services to the doorsteps andıclassrooms of African communities.
Joined the board: 2019
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“With the support of The Inner Foundation, we can provide services that set the path for health and a brighter future for young adults.”
– Dahlia Rezai, Secretary General, 1825
1825 - is a foundation dedicated to improving the mental health of emerging adultsıbetween the ages of 18 and 25.
Invested: 2019
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First Close Partners
Backing venture funds owned by underrepresented managers – helping them get to a “first close.”
Invested: 2021
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Unconventional Ventures
Nordic micro VC investing in early-stage startups led by underrepresented founders.
Invested: 2022
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BlueCall
Providing workplaces with digital tools to manage the mental health challenges of everyday life.
Invested: 2019
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Repro Grants
A “fast grants” program aiming to deepen our understanding of the female reproductive system.
Grant given: 2022
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Ment
A digital service that aims to change and improve everyday life for people living with ADHD.
Invested: 2021
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BLING Capital
A VC fund targeting startups create value for people and society from underserved communities.
Invested: 2022
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Peak Path
Creating healthier employees through automated coaching based on wearable data.
Invested: 2021
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Braive
Offering evidence-based treatment programs adapted to the challenges you are facing.
Invested: 2022
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Friendship Bench Zimbabwe
Providing sustainable community based psychological interventions that are evidence based, accessible and scalable.
Entered a partnership: 2022
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The Human Aspect
A platform to connect and learn from someone who has already been through the challenge you are facing today.
Entered a partnership: 2022
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Allbry
An innovative digital tool which makes student health services in Sweden more effective, efficient, and accessible.
Invested: 2023
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1825 - Therapy center for young adults
Providing affordable and accessible talk therapy for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 in Sweden.
Invested: 2019
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World Childhood Foundation
Working to protect children from violence and sexual abuse through supporting innovative initiatives worldwide.
Invested: 2020
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Spoke
Music-led mental wellness app that gives you personalised, music led audio sessions that are clinically proven to improve your mental wellbeing.
Invested: 2023
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Psynlighet
Working for a better psychiatry and public health, by highlighting structural problems within the psychiatric system.
Invested: 2023
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StrongMinds
Treating depression at scale in Africa through community-based group interpersonal therapy.
Joined the board: 2019
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Father’s Uplift
The first mental health and substance use treatment facility for fathers and families in the US.
Invested: 2023
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Oma Mind
A platform that allows you to start an instant conversation with a qualified mental health practitioner.
Invested: 2023
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Meela
Matching its users with their most suited therapists for more effective therapy treatments.
Invested: 2021
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Ingressive Capital
Backing the next generation of African unicorns, and committed to being the most impactful VC on their cap table.
Invested: 2020
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Next In Mind
An innovation-driven response to the rising mental health challenges among emerging adults in the Nordics. Empowering scalable and impactful mental health solutions.
Started: 2023
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Access Afya
A primary healthcare social enterprise delivering affordable, effective healthcare in Kenya through digital health tools.
Invested: 2023
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Shamiri Health
Community-driven mobile platform aimed at providing accessible and effective mental healthcare solutions to emerging adults, particularly in the global south.
Invested: 2023
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The Resilience Project Reclaiming, democratising and creating accessible and scalable mental health support by youth, for youth. By empowering resilient climate changemakers.
Invested: 2024
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MANUAL Digital engagement platform for academic institutions offering expert content and coaching for emerging adult men within the higher education system.
Invested: 2024
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29k
An inner development app and community on a mission to make personal growth available for everyone, for free.
Invested: 2023
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Center for Happiness, Wellbeing & Welfare Initiative by Stockholm School of Economics integrating happiness, wellbeing and welfare into the curriculum and conducting research within this realm.
Invested: 2023
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Spring Health Eliminating barriers to mental healthcare. Clinically-proven technology with world-class providers to deliver precisely the care that employees need.
Invested: 2024
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We created the foundation from our own experiences
We want to do what we can to ensure that everyone everywhere owns their inner health – and has access to the tools to steer their own lives.
Hugely hopeful and colossally curious, we’re convinced that the future hosts this reality. And we have the willingness to accelerate the concrete change to take us there.
Why? The world today is suffering. All health issues – from people to climate – will only be solved by first addressing the human social crisis. It’s personal. As is our work at The Inner Foundation.
The knowledge is there and it’s time to transfer that know-how into concrete action. I call it the art of execution, and make it my life’s work.
Annika Sten Pärson
I believe in entrepreneurs. And I am compelled to make DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) a living, breathing reality – for overall human health.
Pär-Jörgen Pärson
We invest our whole heart into championing inner health
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Annika helps us elect social entrepreneurs into our fellowship. That requires analytical thinking and the capacity to understand people from a deeply personal perspective. She totally nails both.
Marie Ringler
Global Leadership Group Member
Ashoka -
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Caroline is deeply committed to human inner development to reach sustainable societal change. She takes strategic responsibility as a board member, and her strong energy opens doors in bringing new partners aboard.
Tomas Björkman
Co-founder
Inner Development Goals -
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As board members, they bring deep experience in business-minded mental health and have a real passion for getting things done.
Sean Mayberry
Chief executive officer
Strong Minds
We know you’re out there
We also know that no one can solve the social crisis alone. And that no two solve it in the same way. That’s where we come in — with investment, resources, networking, and knowledge.
We are here to support entrepreneurs and changemakers, working from a for-profit business, not-for-profit organization or a hybrid business model. All with the common intention to improve inner health. We have a specific interest in those targeting emerging adults.
We unearth projects and solutions that drive real change on an individual and systemic level. We invest in strong teams that drive solutions that scale. That strive to change the lives of many.
Are you an impact startup?
Do you have a clear intention of creating positive change for the inner health of many? Do you use business as a force for good to deliver measurable impact while earning profit? Are you still in the early stages of development, but your product ideation is established and proof-of-concept is in place?
Are you a social enterprise?
Do you target the inner health of underserved emerging adults aged 18-30? Are you striving for economic stability? Are you located in Europe (excluding the Nordic countries) ? Our Open Call is currently closed, but keep an eye out on our social media handles for the upcoming launch…
Are you looking to collaborate?
Are you ready to be part of the system of positive change that aims to improve the quality of life for emerging adults? Are you interested in sharing your insights and knowledge, as well as collaborating with us and other people and organizations that share our philosophy and theory of change?