The challenge
In the fast-moving world of early-stage startups, the wellbeing of the team is often treated as an afterthought. High pressure, long hours, and constant uncertainty have become accepted norms — but the human cost is mounting. Many employees report feeling mentally and physically drained, skipping meals, struggling with sleep, and spending less time with loved ones. For some, the experience leads to burnout, anxiety, or a decision to leave the startup ecosystem entirely.
Leaders are not exempt. Founders themselves are navigating high stress, isolation, and emotional strain, often without the time or support to process it. The relationship between founders and employees is critical, yet trust, transparency, and emotional safety are frequently compromised in environments focused on survival above all else.
Team wellbeing is not a “nice to have” — it is essential to long-term performance, retention, and impact. But today, most early-stage startups are not equipped with the tools or resources to support it.
Turning challenge into opportunity
To move from awareness to action, we’ve partnered with Startup Snapshot to launch a new study focused on the state of team wellbeing in early-stage startups. Drawing on responses from startup employees across roles, geographies, and funding stages, this research aims to shed light on the lived realities behind the scenes — what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing.
The study goes beyond surface-level metrics to explore motivation, workload, stress, emotional safety, and the relationship between founders and their teams. It looks at how people are coping, where support systems fall short, and what kinds of resources or cultural shifts could make a meaningful difference.
By generating fresh, data-backed insights, our goal is to help founders, investors, and ecosystem builders design workplaces where people can thrive — not just survive. The findings will be shared openly, with practical recommendations to support healthier, more sustainable startup cultures from the ground up.
Founder
Yael Benjamin
Geography
Organizational type
Thematic area
Time of investment
2025
Co-investors
“Working with the Inner Foundation has been more than just receiving support — it’s been a true partnership. Their deep expertise in emotional well-being and mental health has shaped the research in meaningful ways, helping us move beyond surface-level data to uncover the real, lived experiences of founders and teams.
Thanks to their commitment and collaboration, we’re turning insights into action and working to build a healthier, more sustainable startup ecosystem from the inside out.”
– Yael Benjamin, Founder
