nurtur
pioneering prevention of postpartum depression
Location:
United States
Founded:
2024
Team Size:
6
Industry:
Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Health and Wellness
Founders:
Kristen Ellefson, CEO
Bindu Chanagala, CPO
About:
nurtur is a digital health startup pioneering the prevention of postpartum depression (PPD) using AI-powered technology and clinically validated protocols. Our mission is to address the 85% of maternal mental health disorders that currently go undiagnosed and untreated due to the reactive nature of today’s healthcare system.
nurtur’s AI platform identifies at-risk mothers before symptoms appear, guiding them through self-directed therapy and providing ongoing mental health monitoring. We alleviate the burden on OBGYN clinics, which often struggle to address mental health within short appointment windows, by offering a fully managed mental health solution covered by insurance through the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).
Describe your startup. What is your startup's mission, and what problem are you solving and who are your customers?
nurtur is a digital health startup pioneering the prevention of postpartum depression (PPD) using AI-powered technology and clinically validated protocols. Our mission is to address the 85% of maternal mental health disorders that currently go undiagnosed and untreated due to the reactive nature of today’s healthcare system.
nurtur’s AI platform identifies at-risk mothers before symptoms appear, guiding them through self-directed therapy and providing ongoing mental health monitoring. We alleviate the burden on OBGYN clinics, which often struggle to address mental health within short appointment windows, by offering a fully managed mental health solution covered by insurance through the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).
Who are the founders, and what sparked the idea for this venture?
nurtur was founded by Kristen Ellefson and Bindu Chanagala, two MIT Sloan MBA classmates with deep personal connections to postpartum mental health. The idea for nurtur emerged when both women discovered they were independently working on projects in the maternal health space. Encouraged by a mutual colleague to collaborate, they combined their complementary skills and experiences, leading to the creation of nurtur.
Kristen’s Inspiration: Kristen witnessed close friends silently battling postpartum depression (PPD), exposing significant gaps in the healthcare system's ability to provide timely mental health support to new mothers. With a professional background in healthcare technology, go-to-market strategy, and mission-driven leadership, she was determined to build a proactive solution.
Bindu’s Motivation: Bindu’s personal experience with pregnancy loss and postpartum mental health challenges highlighted the limitations of maternal care, which often overlooks the mental well-being of new mothers. Her professional career in healthcare operations and predictive modeling equipped her to tackle these challenges head-on.
Together, Kristen and Bindu bring a unique blend of technical expertise, healthcare innovation, and personal passion to nurtur, with a shared mission to revolutionize maternal mental health care through early intervention and AI-powered solutions.
What makes your product or service unique in the market?
nurtur offers a unique, AI-powered solution for preventing postpartum depression (PPD) that fills critical gaps left by traditional maternal mental health care. Unlike most solutions, which focus on treating symptoms after diagnosis, nurtur takes a proactive approach, identifying and supporting at-risk mothers before symptoms emerge.
What milestones have you achieved so far if any, and where do you see your startup in the next 2-5 years?
MVP Launched: Our platform is live at pilot sites in the northeast, allowing us to refine the user experience and gather essential clinical outcomes data.
Accelerator Programs: nurtur is supported and validated by top programs, including Techstars Healthcare, MIT delta v, and Creative Destruction Lab.
What defines your company culture, and what type of talent are you looking for?
At nurtur, we foster a mission-driven culture that reflects our commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and impact. Our team believes in empowering individuals with technology to prevent postpartum depression, ensuring every new mother receives the care she deserves. We emphasize collaboration, empathy, and continuous learning, creating an environment where each team member is driven by a shared purpose to revolutionize maternal mental health.
Are you currently open to investments or partnerships?
Yes
How can interested investors, partners, or potential employees get involved or learn more?
We are actively building partnerships, seeking investors, and recruiting mission-driven talent to join us in revolutionizing maternal mental health. Whether you are an investor interested in early-stage funding opportunities, a healthcare partner looking to integrate our platform, or a potential team member passionate about making an impact, we would love to connect. Reach out to team@nurturcare.com
What were the best and worst pieces of advice you received as a founder?
It never gets easier - the problems just get more complex as you become more suited to manage them.