“When I started working with the CTSBDC Advisor Christine Sullivan, I was committed to making an impact in the field of pediatric mental health and had a solid idea of how to do it that I wanted to get funded,” says Wendy Ward, owner of futuresTHRIVE.
futuresTHRIVE ’s main product is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-backed, game-based mental health screener for children aged 4-20 that can be administered by a pediatrician at a child's "well child" annual visit. The futuresTHRIVE screener provides an assessment of the child's mental health at that time and, perhaps more importantly, a baseline that can be compared over time, facilitating an improved understanding of the factors that contribute to positive and negative mental health in our families.
Business started
2019
Capital Access
$350,000
Finding funding with CTSBDC’s help
Wendy Ward notes CTSBDC Business Advisor Christine Sullivan helped her with both the strategy and tactics of getting futuresTHRIVE funded. With Christine's guidance, Wendy received a $250,000 Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase 1 Grant and an additional grant of $100,000 for futuresTHRIVE.
Christine revised Wendy’s pitch deck and messaging and introduced her to many helpful resources that have each helped move futuresTHRIVE forward and that have led to funding. “She was also a sounding board for all the highs and lows of this journey, which as a solo entrepreneur is equally important” says Wendy. Wendy also remarks that Christine’s constant encouragement to push forward and her willingness to learn everything she can about the business were tremendous sources to help overcome challenges as they arise. “Working with Christine was one of my best professional experiences,” Wendy declares.
futuresTHRIVE is working to impact the trajectory of youth mental health concerns. After millions of dollars in “awareness” campaigns, the CDC still reports that 20% of children suffer from a diagnosable mental health condition and half of those will show signs and symptoms before the age of 14. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children aged 10 and up; affected children that do not receive intervention or appropriate services are becoming generations of adults with adverse outcomes.
It takes a village to improve mental health for children.
Advisor and advisee discussed nearly every business-related decision Wendy made – from funding to marketing to helping with her SBIR grant. "Christine was not only an advisor but also a business partner and friend. She is invaluable. I know she's very committed to futuresTHRIVE and I appreciate the faith she has in me to make this happen. She makes the time to meet with me at every turn. She is level-headed and smart,” says Wendy.
“Wendy is one of the most diligent and committed entrepreneurs that I have ever met,” says Christine. "I remember meeting her the first time and she said, 'If you put something on my to-do list, it gets done.'" Three years later, she has stayed true to this commitment! I couldn't be more excited about the impact that futuresTHRIVE is going to have on our children and families,” Christine adds.
Wendy also shares that Christine has a wide network and drew on it many times for her. Now she feels like the company has a strong team of people who are invested in the success of futuresTHRIVE. From the women at HAYVN (Coworking space in Darien, Connecticut) to the team at the University of Connecticut TIP program and the University of Connecticut Law Clinic to CT Innovations and CTNEXT, who were her first investors. And now, Wendy is growing her own team, after futuresTHRIVE hired its first employee.