Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarojini Sengupta, Co-founder and CEO of AIMH Inc., located in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

At Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health (AIMH), we have developed a tool to streamline the treatment of ADHD in children. Our prototype transforms different kinds of data into models that can predict different outcomes, so a child can have a treatment plan that is tailored to her/his needs.

Right now, the approach used in clinical care is based on trial-and-error (or prescribe-and-wait), for lack of a better choice. This can be especially difficult for families if the child has side effects from the prescribed medication. Our platform brings precision medicine, so clinicians and families can have a better collaboration when it comes to the treatment of a child with difficulties due to ADHD.

Our customers would be private or public health care networks, genetic testing, or insurance companies.

Photo by Mel Lefebvre/MLLL Photography

Tell us about yourself

I have a rich family history on the spectrum of mental health issues. I grew up in India, where mental health is largely side-stepped. This filled me with a determination to see change. I worked at the Douglas Mental Health Research Centre here in Montreal for over 17 years, nurturing the idea of using AI methods to support mental health. When things started to coalesce in my discussion with Mel Lefebvre and Tyler Bonnell, I knew we would make a great team. We decided to take off on the idea, and a company was formed!

The single biggest driving force for me is my conversations with parents whose children have a diagnosis of ADHD. They agonize over the length of time to stabilization of treatment and the difficulty with side effects. They often say to me, “this is 2022. Surely we can do better”! And we can!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Seeing our business grow from what was only the seed of an idea. I am especially proud of how Mel, Tyler, and I work together, with a clear focus on the end goal. Even in lean start-up mode, when the going can be rough, we place the highest premium on our core values.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The elation that comes with every success is paralleled with deep disappointment when we fail. But the clouds never last long, and having a strong team is great support. Personally, I take inspiration from the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Believe in your idea.
  2. Build a strong team - surround yourself with amazing people.
  3. Be patient yet persistent.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.aimhinc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarojini-sengupta-79068644/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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