Barclays Female Founder Accelerator 2023 member
Trybs Health
Trybs provides a digital platform to provide therapeutic activities to stop young people self-harming.
Why did you apply for the Female Founder Accelerator?
To get advice on getting investment and to identify potential investors who are willing to work with a mission led business
Do you think there's a need for programmes like this for Female Founders?
It appears so, the bias againt funding for women entrepreneurs risks continuing the inequalities we currently see in society.
Why did you want to start your business?
Got frustrated with the lack of progress by the NHS and universities in improving children and young people's mental health, especially when we know the biggest predictor of good mental health is the quality of your relationships, especially with your family.
What are you looking to get out of this programme?
Looking to continuing learning about growing the company, and getting investment ready.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Deborah Meadon - she has distinct values and wants to invest in ethical enterprises. She appears straightforward and has a level of wise compassion that I think is important in entrepreneurs.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Couple of things:
- Having former colleagues joining me to work on developing the business.
- Recently got a small amount of investment from talking briefly to a friend.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Finding people you can trust as a business partner.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
Spoke to my coach and sought legal advice.
What drives you to make your business a success?
It is the culmination of my research and clinical work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of families. It is something I have been passionate about for 30+ years. I had a company previously but had to choose between an academic career or business career. At the time the academic career was my best bet but having reached the dizzying heights of a Pro Vice Chancellor - post pandemic I decided to do something different and know I can make more of a difference.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Find the right business partner and go for it. I've had several career changes but the entrepreneurial journey is the most exciting and challenging - if I'd have started as an entrepreneur I would probably have started lots of companies over the years. There's so much opportunity.