Empowering Mental Health with MindPeers: A Gamified Approach
Kanika Agarwal, an entrepreneur who battled anxiety, has developed MindPeers, an app aimed at gamifying mental health solutions. Appearing on season 2 of Shark Tank India, MindPeers offers a comprehensive platform designed to address mental well-being concerns, utilizing gamification techniques. Founded in 2020, MindPeers is headquartered in Delhi and is hailed as ‘Asia’s fastest growing mental strength platform’, boasting a proprietary algorithm that assesses the impact of various life aspects on mental health.
Origins and Inspiration
Originally from Delhi, Kanika Agarwal’s entrepreneurial journey began after completing her undergraduate studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Following a successful stint with tech giants like Google and Microsoft, she ventured into entrepreneurship in 2016 with Passion Peers, a digital marketing agency. Despite achieving significant success and revenue, Agarwal battled severe anxiety and panic attacks, stemming from a fear of failure and an inability to decline responsibilities.
In 2019, Passion Peers was acqui-hired, leading Agarwal to reflect on her own struggles with mental health. Motivated by her experiences, she delved into researching mental health, eventually laying the foundation for MindPeers.
Founding Team and Expansion
Sahil Chitkara joined MindPeers as a co-founder in 2021, bringing valuable expertise after working with organizations like Urban Company and Classplus. The platform, currently serving 30,000 monthly active users, offers a range of services including therapy session bookings, self-help tools, and neuroscience-based games. Paid subscriptions allow access to premium features, including real-time psychologist support.
MindPeers recently ventured into the B2B market, offering organizations tools to monitor and enhance employee well-being. This expansion yielded significant sales, with revenues touching ₹16.5 lakh in October 2022. Additionally, the platform secured ₹1.12 crore in funding from an angel investor, validating its potential and market viability.
Shark Tank Success and Future Prospects
On Shark Tank India, Kanika Agarwal pitched MindPeers to potential investors, highlighting its unique value proposition. Despite facing initial skepticism, Agarwal secured a deal with a consortium of investors including Peyush Bansal, Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar, and Aman Gupta. The investors were impressed by the platform’s innovative approach and its potential to revolutionize mental health care.
Looking ahead, MindPeers aims to leverage its funding and expertise to expand its reach globally, with plans to enter markets in Singapore, the US, and the UK. With a robust team and a compelling vision, MindPeers is poised to make a significant impact in the mental health landscape, offering hope and support to individuals worldwide.
