Best Startup
A QUICK INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHAT YOUR COMPANY DOES/YOUR VALUES/MISSION.
Therapy Panda is mental-health therapy platform and marketplace that makes it easy to find affordable therapists from all around the world.
Users can
* Find affordable therapists on their schedule
* Book sessions within minutes,
* Connect with their therapist right there on the platform.
We have also have useful filters where you can search by specialty, price and availability to get the perfect match.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
Both my parents are foster carers, which gives me a slightly unique level of exposure to mental health conditions. They began fostering when I was 11, and over 20 years, we’ve helped look after and support 23 children.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME A YEAR OR TWO, WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?
Build for speed, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
WHAT PROBLEM DOES YOUR BUSINESS SOLVE?
Expensive therapy costs and difficulty finding therapist that understand you
WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS?
We began this project after a friend of mine was trying to find a therapist and couldn’t find anyone that was available to give sessions. She reached out to 10 therapists, 5 told her they weren’t taking on new clients, 3 weren’t available when she was and 2 just ignored her emails.
After two weeks of trying, wasting time and a lot of back and forth emails, she decided she wanted to give up and stopped looking for help.
I felt there should a better way so when a person is at a stage when they’re reaching out for help, they get it.
WHAT IS YOUR MAGIC SAUCE?
We’re building the first global marketplace of its kind, the closest thing to us right now are therapy directories that don’t allow users to book sessions or have online sessions on the platform.
Our other competitors are SaaS platforms like BetterHelp but these charge a high subscription fee and match you to the therapist so you have no choice in who you see. With Therapy Panda, you can choose the therapist yourself, compare profiles, prices and services, and book sessions right there on the platform.
WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
We want to go global. Where expats and immigrants can connect to therapists from home, which speak their language and understand their culture. Where people who live in areas where therapy isn’t accessible can get help cheaply.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED SO FAR?
Development took way too long, we should have built a simpler MVP and got to market quicker.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED/BUY INTO YOUR VISION?
We’re actively looking for partnerships with councils and charities in the UK. Send us a message at partnerships@therapypanda.com
