On May 24th 2023, BrainMind hosted a private dinner and salon (~20 people) exploring the intersection of neurotechnology, AI, and mental health. Together at a private residence in London, we delved into the latest mental health innovations, from basic research to digital wellness startups, and discussed the potential of technology to personalize and augment care for those struggling with mental health challenges around the world.
Our guests included experts from the fields of neurotechnology, psychology, brain health, and digital therapeutics, as well as thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors passionate about improving mental health outcomes.
The evening featured lively roundtables, serious science, brain-healthy cuisine, and a breathtaking view of the city. Our goal with this salon was to bring ideas, talent, and funding together to accelerate innovation in the mental health space.
Discussion Leads
Miranda Wolpert
Director of Mental Health, Wellcome
Marine Mallinson
Venture Advisor, Noetic Fund
Charles Wells
Founder, HelloSelf
Agenda
5:00pm — arrivals/refreshments
6:00pm — formal introductions, dinner
7:30pm — facilitated group discussion
8:30pm on: informal discussion/networking
Fellow Expert Participants:
Brain Science x Mental Health:
Joydeep Battacharya (Goldsmiths) - Flow states, creativity, grit, a-ha moments, music + brain states
Sam Rodriques (Francis Crick Institute) - Applied AI, bioengineering, biotech entrepreneurship, focused research organizations
Sumner Norman (Convergent Research) - Brain-computer interfaces, ultrasound, biorobotics, mechatronics, focused research organizationsSelen Atasoy (Oxford) - Connectome harmonics, neural correlates of consciousness, neurotherapy entrepreneurship
Jean Rintoul (Imperial) - Neural engineering, biosensor wearables (exited entrepreneur)
Entrepreneurship x Mental Health
Andrew Welchman (Ieso) - online therapy, can also talk neuroscience philanthropy
Emilie Faure (Juniver) - eating disorder digital therapy, also expert in the elite art marketplace
Henry Fisher (Clerkenwell Health) - psychedelic therapies, pharmaceutical chemistry
Sasha Ondobaka (CoreMind) - remote monitoring for brain states, brain connectivity and interoception
Philanthropy x Mental Health:
Martha Patrocheilos (Brainthunder) - mental health funding, hosting a millennial talkshow
Gabriela Gocheva (Autism Spectrum Reach) - cognitive development neuroscience, education about autism
Gary Wilson (Gatsby Foundation) - innovative research across neuroscience, psychiatry, and mental health
Lea Milligan (MQ Foundation) - mental health research funding, delivering surgery across West Africa, long-distance biking
Ronit Kanwar (Schmidt Futures) - focused research organizations, pathbreaking research across fields
Trudi Edgington (Mindstruck) - undiagnosed autism, care for carers, anything to do with trauma
Tariq Khokhar (Wellcome) - data science applied in health and science research
Zelda Yannovich (Omidyar Network, Lego Fdn) - early childhood development, parenting, play
Investing x Mental Health
Jan Hardorp (re.Mind) - mental health investing, psychedelics, BCIs, media, entrepreneurship, economics
Joao Barbosa da Silva (re.Mind) - mental health investing, psychedelics, BCIs, medicine
Katherine Jones (re.Mind) - (CO-HOST) mental health investing, also neuroscience, addiction, swimming, dance
Max DeVere (re.Mind) - mental health investing, psychedelics, BCIs, mathematics
Maya Ghosn Bichara (The Inner Foundation, Sequoia, others) - mental health investing, philanthropy, France, Japan, Lebanon, Brazil
Investing Across Health/Tech Sectors
Ahmad Butt (Deep Science Ventures) - serial entrepreneurship, finance, deep tech, launching universities, competitive padel
Dominick Kennerson (SVB London) - heath tech investing, health policy, innovation, communications
Eirini Malliaraki (Deep Science Ventures) - strategic design, cognitive/artificial/collective dimensions of the mind, caretech entrepreneurship
Eloisa Angeles (Independent) - tech investing, immersive entertainment technology
Frederic Batoua (Forepont Capital Partners) - equity investments, multi statistical and technical analysis, skiing the French Alps
Gareth Shepherd (Voya Investment Management) - applying ML/AI and data science to solve major problems, longevity