Our collaborators
We believe in the power of togetherness to tackle systemic challenges. In the world of inner health, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution — just a shared commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impact together.
Discover the work of our collaborators
Co-investors
By never investing alone, we’re setting out to bridge the critical funding gap in inner health. Alongside our incredible partners, we fuel catalytic co-investments and empower changemakers to turn bold ideas into tangible, transformative impact.
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First Close Partners
A fund of funds manager and focuses on investing into other venture capital funds managed by underrepresented managers.
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Norrsken VC
A leading early-stage impact fund investing in scalable ventures tackling global challenges across climate, health, and energy.
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Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
A philanthropic funder supporting early-stage social impact leaders through unrestricted funding and support to help scale solutions.
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Antler
Global early-stage investor supporting founders from day zero, with a broad portfolio across sectors including AI, climate, and health.
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The Case for Her
Blended-finance portfolio advancing women’s health—menstruation, sexual health, and pleasure—through grants, investments, convenings, and advocacy.
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Impact Invest
Growth Fund supporting the growth of Nordic companies improving health and wellbeing for underinvested target groups.
Knowledge partners
Knowledge is true power in the complex realm of inner health. By funding and collaborating with these cutting-edge researchers, academic institutions, and industry experts, we expand our know-how, break down information silos, and make evidence-based progress. For real.
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Center for Social Sustainability
Part of Karolinska Institutet, this interdisciplinary center explores how sustainability connects individuals, societies, animals, and the environment.
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Stockholm School of Economics
Advancing research and education integrating well-being and happiness into leadership and economic systems.
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Center for Humane Technology
A nonprofit shaping technology to support well-being, democracy, and trustworthy information through ethical design and systemic change.
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McKinsey Health Institute
A non-profit from McKinsey & Company, advancing global health and well-being through research, partnerships, and innovation.
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Northzone
Northzone is a multi-stage venture capital fund, dedicated to founders who take on whatever the world throws at them.
Ecosystem enablers
We support and align with those who connect the dots across the mental health landscape — coordinating efforts, filling gaps, and building the infrastructure for lasting change. They put inner well-being at the core and make systemic impact possible.
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Ashoka
Global network for social entrepreneurship and change—supporting social entrepreneurs and mobilizing a community where everyone is a changemaker.
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The MHPSS Network
A growing global platform connecting people, networks, and organizations to share resources and build knowledge on mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies and chronic hardship.
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United for Global Mental Health
A global catalyst organisation that brings ambition to global advocacy, innovation to financing and voice to campaigning, with the vision of a world where mental health is valued and treated in the same way as physical health
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Prospiral Global
Supporting businesses, philanthropists and investors to design and deliver effective mental health solutions, through mental health assessments, strategy design and implementation support.
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Kokoro
Kokoro is a global nonprofit that champions mental health as the foundation for a safer, kinder and more productive world, by mobilising action and capital.
Cross-sector partners
We harness the power of cross-sectoral partnerships, combining the agility of the private sector with the influence of the public sector. Together, these partnerships hold the potential to help unlock lasting, system-level improvements in inner health.
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European Investment Bank
The EU’s lending arm, financing sustainable growth, innovation, and climate action across Europe and beyond.
Bold believers in the power of collaboration
We’re here to create real, lasting change in the world of inner health — not just scratch the surface.
That kind of change doesn’t happen alone. It takes the right collaborators.
Here’s what we look for in the people and organizations we partner with:
Systems change
We envision a world where challenges are met at their roots—not just managed at the surface. Our aim is to shift the systems that sustain both causes and symptoms.
Whole-society approach
We believe inner health is everyone’s business. Our vision is to catalyze solutions that consider the full system—so that support reaches further and works for all.
Cross-sector collaboration
We see collaboration as essential to change. By connecting efforts across sectors, we aim to unlock new possibilities and accelerate progress together.
We’re looking for you…
Whether you bring capital, research, networks, or public reach, your role matters. We partner across disciplines to accelerate solutions, spark collaborations, and shape a stronger ecosystem for inner health.
Here’s how you might fit in:
Co-investors
We never invest alone. We co-invest with value-aligned partners to close the critical funding gap in inner health. Together, we fuel bold ideas, share risk, and back solutions that create long-term, systems-level change.
Our co-investors:
- Bring catalytic capital to accelerate impact
- Believe in shared ownership and long-term collaboration
- Support innovation in inner health, DEIB, and systems change
- Align values with outcomes that go beyond financial return
Knowledge partners
Knowledge is power. We team up with researchers, academic institutions, and field experts to turn evidence into action, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and break down the silos that hold progress back.
Cross-sector partners
Cross-sector collaboration unlocks lasting change. We seek to partner with public institutions ready to align policy with innovation — embedding inner health into systems and strengthening impact across society.
Ecosystem enablers
We work with the builders, connectors, and local leaders who make inner health visible and actionable. Together, we fortify the initiatives, networks, and movements that propel systems forward – from the ground up.
Yes, you!
Excited to join a network of positive change agents? Let’s explore meaningful impact together. Reach out and reach in.
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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
The inside scoop
Who can apply to collaborate with you?
We welcome organizations and individuals across sectors — investors, researchers, public institutions, and grassroots leaders — who share our commitment to advance inner health through collaboration, innovation, and systems thinking.
What do you look for in a collaborator?
We’re looking for partners who are values-aligned, impact-oriented, and eager to co-create lasting change. Each collaborator brings something different — capital, knowledge, reach, or grassroots momentum — and we seek synergy, not uniformity.
Are partnerships funded?
Not all partnerships are financially supported. Some are based on knowledge exchange, co-creation, and visibility within our broader network. When funding is involved, it’s aligned with shared goals and clearly defined scopes of work.
What does the application process involve?
Once you submit your form, our team will review your application and follow up if there’s alignment. We may invite you to a conversation to learn more about your work, explore fit, and discuss how collaboration might take shape.
How often do you review applications?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. There’s no hard deadline, but early engagement helps us identify synergies and co-design opportunities more effectively.
What if I’m not sure which category I fit into?
No problem. Use the application form with the description you think suits your work best to tell us more about your work and approach. We’re interested in finding the right fit together, even if it doesn’t fall neatly into one box.
Hmm, not exactly…
Looking to create impact in inner health but not a collaborator in the traditional sense? If you’re building a solution focused on inner health and seeking funding or partnership, explore our other tracks below.
Grants
Have a bold idea to transform the inner health of emerging adults? Our annual Open Call provides unrestricted, multi-year grants to help early-stage solutions grow and take root. Whether applications are currently open or not, we’d love to hear from you.
Equity
Are you building a mission-driven business with impact at its core? We provide early-stage equity investments on a rolling basis for ventures with proof of concept, growth potential, and a clear focus on inner health for emerging adults.
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.
Reach out – reach in
We believe true connection is the very essence of what we do. Reach out, reach in, reach on over. We are here for you. In Stockholm, online, and on the phone.