Our approach
We are firm believers in the power of entrepreneurship to address our most pressing challenges. It’s how we got here. And we use this belief to power our mission: to invest in changemakers dedicated to building an inner foundation for an outer world worth living in.
We back solutions that strengthen inner health and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. With a special focus on emerging adults.
By prioritizing initiatives that are affordable, accessible, inclusive, and actively destigmatize inner health, we amplify impact where it matters most.
Systems change requires more than funding. It demands intentionality.
Our work is built on five interconnected pillars that shape how we contribute to long-term, systemic change:
1
HYBRID
2
CATALYTIC
3
PATIENT
4
THEMATIC
5
ECOSYSTEM OF CHANGE
Our hybrid financing model
Flexible capital, lasting impact
Our hybrid investment approach leverages a flexible financial toolkit — blending grants, loans, and equity — to meet the diverse needs of changemakers. This enables us to support impactful solutions across organizational structures and financial entities. By financing change this way, we champion the power of entrepreneurship in all its forms, confident that transformative ideas can emerge from anywhere.
Catalytic capital
Mobilizing resources, bridging gaps
We never invest alone. Our goal is to catalyze co-investments by collaborating with other investors and inviting new stakeholders to join the effort. By aligning with mission-driven partners, we channel capital where it’s needed most, unlocking opportunities that traditional funding approaches often overlook.
Focusing on early-stage solutions and underserved areas, we take calculated risks and prioritize meaningful impact over short-term returns. This approach enables innovation to address critical gaps and scale where it matters most. Our investments are purposefully adaptive, strategically phasing resources into emerging opportunities to create lasting, transformative change.
Patient approach
Patient scaling, meaningful progress
We believe in sustainable financial models and clear indications of impact. We also recognize that achieving them takes time. Generating financial stability and measurable outcomes requires patience, adaptability, and a commitment to long-term support.
Through our patient capital approach, we provide changemakers with the space to refine, scale, and adapt their work, remaining responsive to evolving markets and shifting needs. By balancing impact-driven goals with the time needed to build stability, we support solutions that create meaningful, lasting progress.
Thematic focus areas
We focus on seven key themes addressing critical vulnerabilities, emerging trends, and opportunities in inner health for emerging adults. By backing solutions that prioritize affordability, accessibility, inclusivity, and destigmatization, we aim to direct attention and capital where it can catalyze the most change. The more focus and resources we channel into these areas, the greater the opportunity to drive meaningful progress.
Ecosystem of change
Activated ecosystem, collective impact
Beyond investing, we aim to cultivate a connected ecosystem of intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, investors, and partners committed to advancing inner health and championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
By bridging stakeholders within and beyond our network, we foster large-scale mental health collaborations, mobilize capital, identify co-investment opportunities, and engage new, unexpected voices—amplifying the collective impact and driving meaningful progress together.
Our collaborators
True collaboration is the only way to drive actual systemic change. By working together – across areas, methods, and criteria – we get there faster. Activating an ecosystem of positive change.
Why emerging adults?
Emerging adults – anyone between the age of 18 and 30 – are very dear to us. And to our shared future. While this life stage is ripe with potential for all kinds of incredible growth, it is anything but easy. Especially right now, while we are living within an age of distress.
Economic & social inequalities
Increasing income inequality and segregation enforce social disparities in inner health.
Competitive & uncertain job market
More jobs becoming part-time, temporary, or gig-based create increased uncertainty.
Complex workplace dynamics
High rate of change, information overload, limited resources, and demands on productivity feed emotional stress.
Rise of social media
Screen addiction, social comparison, information overload, and reduced face-to-face interaction breed immense emotional pressure.
An uncertain world
Climate change, pandemics, war, social tension, and polarization intensify the inner struggle.
Demographic changes
Trends including longer time in education and waiting longer to marry and/or become parents create a shifting emotional landscape.
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“We are deeply grateful and proud to be part of such a bold, values-driven community, and we look forward to building the next chapter together with The Inner Foundation”
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Adriana Preda
Executive Board Member
Read more: The Social IncubatorEmpowering young people transitioning out of institutionalised care to build independent, resilient lives through personalized support, mental health care, and skills for the future.
Type of investment
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“There are a lot of funds you meet that discuss the importance of making an impact in the mental health space – there are few that mean it in the way the Inner Foundation does.”
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Matthew Stefanko
Co-founder, MANUAL
Read more: RELEASEUShattering stigma and expanding access to care, RELEASEU strengthens campus-based and digital support systems so emerging adult men can seek help, connect, and truly thrive.
Type of investment
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“Building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem takes long-term commitment—and collective effort. Our partnership with The Inner Foundation is a testament of that shared vision.”
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Deqa Abukar
Co-founder
Read more: BLING CapitalVenture fund backing underrepresented founders—combining strong commercial potential with inclusive innovation to unlock overlooked talent through grassroots ecosystem experience.
Type of investment
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“As donors, The Inner Foundation offers us tremendous trust. We are equals working towards the same end goal.”
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Sean Mayberry
Founder & CEO
Read more: StrongMindsDelivering scalable, community-led group therapy, training clients and health workers to expand access and integrate mental health into broader development programs.
Type of investment
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“We feel incredibly lucky to call The Inner Foundation investors, partners, and friends on this journey. They’re as interested in our challenges as successes, wisely guiding us when we ask for it.”
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Tiffany Boswell
Co-founder, Meela
Read more: MeelaResearch-backed platform matching you with the best-fit therapist for your unique needs, preferences, and goals—ensuring effective, personalized care and therapeutic match.
Type of investment
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“Partnering with The Inner Foundation strengthens our mission to provide holistic care for women, expanding reach and deepening long-term impact on emotional and physical well-being.”
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Lydia Graflund
CEO, EsterCare
Read more: EsterCareDelivering integrated women’s healthcare through digital, in-person, and preventive services—supporting well-being with accessible, high-quality care tailored to women’s daily needs.
Type of investment
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“The Inner Foundation team has been there for me in every moment, high and low, with compassion, expertise, and infinite support. They have become much more than just LPs, and I am deeply grateful”
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Maya Horgan Famodu
Partner & Founder
Read more: Ingressive CapitalEarly-stage venture fund investing in African tech startups—providing capital, mentorship, and global networks to help diverse founders scale market-relevant businesses.
Type of investment
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“The Inner Foundation’s commitment to creating positive impact aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that their partnership will significantly enhance our vision.”
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Helene Lassem Nørlem
Co-CEO & Co-founder
Read more: TiimoAdaptive, neuroinclusive planning platform with visual scheduling and focus tools—supporting executive function and reducing daily stress for neurodivergent individuals.
Type of investment
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“Through The Inner Foundation, we have found an investor who shares the same belief system as us, and who continues to push us forward when we most need it.”
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Hermine Bonde Jahren
Co-founder & CEO
Read more: BraiveAI-driven platform delivering personalized mental health care by combining advanced technology with proven methods tailored to each person’s unique symptoms, context, and needs.
Type of investment
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“We are beyond grateful for the support from the Inner Foundation, which allows us to significantly strengthen our work with establishing our work in Ukraine.”
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Trine Hammershøy
Director
Read more: headspace DenmarkEstablishing safe, accessible youth spaces in Ukraine, offering early, stigma-free mental health support for adolescents and emerging adults.
Type of investment
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“Partnering with The Inner Foundation marks an exciting new chapter—opening doors to invaluable resources, meaningful collaboration opportunities, and greater impact.”
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Ivan Dimov
Founder & Chairman
Read more: Single Step FoundationSupporting LGBTQ+ emerging adults in Bulgaria with free, inclusive mental health care, career guidance, and safe community spaces that build resilience, visibility, and lasting opportunity.
Type of investment
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“The support from The Inner Foundation is a turning point for our organization. It empowers us to strengthen a model that places dignity, empathy, and accessibility at the core of support.”
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Razvan Popa
Founder & President
Read more: Centrul Social de PsihoterapieDelivering free, high-quality mental health care through Romania’s first social psychotherapy clinics and a growing digiphysical network—making support accessible to all.
Type of investment
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The Inner Foundation’s generosity has directly protected more children, and we are deeply grateful to have them among our partners.
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Mary L. Pulido
Executive Director
Read more: World Childhood Foundation USAWorking to end abuse and exploitation by strengthening support systems that protect vulnerable children and promote their resilience and long-term well-being.
Type of investment
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“The Inner Foundation’s support has meant a lot to us, as we feel that we are part of a larger ecosystem and have access to an international network of people who want to do social good.”
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Cem Celepli Atci
Co-founder & CEO
Read more: AllbryA digital platform transforming student health care by offering secure communication, data-driven insights, and accessible counseling services tailored to students’ needs.
Type of investment
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“Being part of The Inner Foundation community has been eye-opening. They genuinely support founders—through values-driven engagement, convenings, and meaningful backing.”
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Danish Munir
Partner & Co-founder
Read more: GreyMatter CapitalVenture fund backing early-stage founders with tech solutions to transform mental health—reimagining care delivery through targeted support and deep sector expertise.
Type of investment
In the limelight
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Apocalypse or optimism? The AI Doc asks what’s really at stake
Read more: Apocalypse or optimism? The AI Doc asks what’s really at stake“The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” is now available on Netflix. The Inner Foundation is proud to have supported the Center for Humane Technology (CHT), which contributed expert perspective…
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Replik i SvD: Många unga har ingen kö att stå i
Read more: Replik i SvD: Många unga har ingen kö att stå iDen som mår för dåligt för att klara sig själv, men inte tillräckligt dåligt för psykiatrin, står idag utan självklar kontakt. Hårdast drabbas den som saknar nätverk eller resurser, skriver Annika Sten…
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What a new national health report tells us about emerging adults in Sweden
Read more: What a new national health report tells us about emerging adults in SwedenThis week, Myndigheten för vård- och omsorgsanalys, the Swedish government agency tasked with independently evaluating the country’s healthcare system, published its latest national follow-up “Nationell uppföljning av hälso- och sjukvården 2026”. The…
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A new chapter for our investment team
Read more: A new chapter for our investment teamAfter nearly two years with The Inner Foundation, Zakaria Hersi is embarking on a new chapter, continuing his work to find and build solutions that improve mental health and wellbeing. As our…
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What if research travelled faster?
Read more: What if research travelled faster?Research on emerging adulthood is growing. But knowledge alone does not create change. At EARA 2026 in Utrecht, The Inner Foundation, Center for Social Sustainability (CSS), Karolinska Institute (KI), and the Royal…
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Our support of Single Step Foundation
Read more: Our support of Single Step FoundationEmpowering LGBTQI+ youth through community and psychological support.
The inside scoop
How does The Inner Foundation approach investment?
Through our catalytic hybrid investment model. This supports intra- and entrepreneurs working with evidence-based solutions for the inner health of emerging adults across various sectors. We use a flexible financial toolkit, including grants, equities, and loans, to support impact regardless of financial entity or model.
How does The Inner Foundation select its themes? Do you invest beyond your current themes?
We invest across seven key thematic areas (check them out here) within the inner-health landscape. Each of them addresses critical trends and challenges impacting emerging adults (ages 18-30) in particular. Our investment framework primarily focuses on these areas. We are always open to burning visions and evidence-based strategies, so please reach out if you resonate with our mission. Our minds – and hearts – are open.
What is a catalytic hybrid financing model?
It’s our way of putting a flexible financial toolkit to work across various asset classes, supporting impact regardless of financial entity or structure. We provide support through a mix of grants, loans, quasi-equities, and equities.
Why does The Inner Foundation offer patient capital?
We’re here for the long term. Our investments are too. This allows changemakers to focus on meaningful and enduring impact, rather than quick returns or fast-tracked growth objectives. We are, though, very focused on seeding real change. All initiatives must present a proven growth strategy and ability to pivot toward the most impact.
What is an emerging adult?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 29. A person living through that eye-opening, heart-expanding (and breaking) transitional period between adolescence and adulthood. Suddenly faced with the legal responsibilities of adulthood. Going through the transformative life events that pave the road to the future. And more often than not, overwhelmed and confused about which choices to make and what this world we inhabit is really all about. Not easy. And getting more difficult by the day.
Does The Inner Foundation support collective impact? And collaboration?
110%! We are actively building a collaborative ecosystem of change. We do this by connecting entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, supporting research, encouraging broader cross-sector partnerships, and co-investing along with aligned partners. All in the name of starting and sustaining the inner health of emerging adults.
