MindSage Start Up Fund
Help Us Fund our AI-Powered Mental Health Support for Underserved Communities
Project Description
MindSage: AI-Powered Mental Health Support for Underserved Communities
Our Mission
To bring compassionate, accessible, and culturally-aware mental health support to the millions across Africa and other underserved regions who’ve been left without help for too long. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the remote villages of Tigray, MindSage seeks to be a voice of comfort in the silence.
The Problem
In many parts of Africa, mental health is still misunderstood—wrapped in shame, stigma, and silence. A young woman in Nairobi battling depression might never find a therapist. A student in Addis Ababa carrying anxiety may be told to "just pray." In some countries, there’s less than 1 psychologist per 150,000 people. And for those in rural or low-income communities, even talking about emotions feels out of reach.
The Opportunity
Despite the mental health gap, there’s hope. Mobile penetration in Africa is growing rapidly—WhatsApp is nearly everywhere. SMS still connects millions without internet. Meanwhile, AI technology has matured to offer real-time, empathetic support at scale. This is where MindSage enters.
Our Vision
MindSage will be an AI-powered mental health companion, built first for WhatsApp, and later for SMS—because in regions like Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Sudan, mobile data isn’t always a guarantee.
Users will be able to text the MindSage chatbot in English, Amharic, Swahili, Yoruba, and more—talking about stress, sadness, loneliness, or fear. No sign-ups. No judgment. Just warmth, empathy, and guidance that feels like it’s coming from someone who understands their world.
Why We’re Seeking Funding
We’re currently in the idea stage, and your support will help us:
Build the first version of MindSage—a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) chatbot integrated with WhatsApp
Train the AI with real-world cultural and emotional insight, to respond with care, relevance, and nuance
Launch beta testing across various African countries to gather feedback from real users
Lay the groundwork for SMS-based support, reaching those without smartphones or stable internet
Who We Are
We’re African builders, dreamers, and doers—people who’ve seen friends suffer in silence, family members turned away, and entire communities without help. MindSage was born from that reality. This isn’t just tech for us—it’s personal.
To Our Backers
Your contribution isn’t just about funding an app.
You’re helping a teenage girl in rural Kenya find peace at 2AM.
You’re giving a father in Kigali someone to talk to when he can’t talk to anyone else.
You’re building a future where mental health is a right, not a privilege.
Thank you for being part of this. Let’s build hope together—one message at a time.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
| Frequently Asked Questions: |
What is MindSage?
MindSage is an AI-powered mental health support platform designed to provide accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive emotional support to underserved communities, particularly in Africa and other developing regions. It’s available through WhatsApp and, in the future, SMS.
How does MindSage work?
MindSage uses artificial intelligence to offer real-time, conversational mental health support. It listens to users’ concerns and provides compassionate responses, helping them manage stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and easily accessible, especially for those with limited access to traditional mental health resources.
Why is MindSage needed?
In many underserved communities, mental health resources are scarce, and stigma around mental illness prevents people from seeking help. MindSage aims to break down these barriers by offering an accessible, anonymous, and non-judgmental way for people to receive support.
How will the funds be used?
The funds raised will be used to:
Develop the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the MindSage AI chatbot
Integrate the app with WhatsApp to begin early user testing
Train the AI to provide culturally sensitive, context-aware responses
Expand access to people in regions with limited internet connectivity by adding SMS support
Market and promote the app to ensure it reaches the communities that need it most
Why should I donate to MindSage?
Your support will help us bring much-needed mental health support to those who need it most. By donating to MindSage, you’re helping to provide emotional support to individuals who may not have any other option for care. Your contribution helps make mental health more accessible and less stigmatized.
What do I get in return for my donation?
We’re offering early access, premium memberships, and exclusive beta testing opportunities for those who contribute to our campaign. Please see the reward tiers for more details on what you’ll receive.
Will MindSage be available outside of Africa?
MindSage will be available worldwide upon launch, with a primary focus on underserved communities in Africa. While we’re concentrating our efforts on addressing the urgent mental health needs in Africa, we aim to make MindSage accessible to anyone around the globe who needs support.
How can I get involved or support MindSage?
You can support MindSage by donating to our campaign, sharing our mission with others, and spreading the word about the importance of mental health in underserved communities. Every bit of support makes a difference!
When will MindSage be available to the public?
We plan to launch MindSage to the public after we’ve tested the MVP with our early users. We are aiming to release a fully functional version within the next year. Donors who support us during the campaign will get early access and be part of the beta testing group.
How can I contact MindSage?
If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to us through our contact page on the MindSage website. You can also email us directly at [email protected].
Every contribution—no matter how small—brings us one step closer to launching MindSage, an AI-powered mental health chatbot built for underserved communities across Africa and beyond.
Your support helps us build a platform that can provide emotional care to those who’ve been left behind by traditional systems.
We truly mean it when we say: we can’t do this without you. Thank you for believing in what we’re building. Your contribution is more than a donation—it’s a message of hope.
Get exclusive early access to the MindSage app before public release. Be one of the first to try our AI-powered mental health support.
Start strong with deeper care.
Get 3 months of premium MindSage access at launch. Unlock advanced tools, tailored emotional insights, and richer AI support to help you navigate anxiety, stress, and everyday life.
One year. One cause. One impact.
Unlock 12 months of premium features.
Shape the future of mental health.
Get into our private testing group before launch. You'll receive early app access, 1 year of premium features, and direct channels to share feedback that will guide real product decisions.
Help fund access for a whole community.
Your support will directly fund app access for underserved communities. You'll get lifetime premium access, private update invites, and your name listed publicly as a Community Impact Sponsor.
Rewards
Every contribution—no matter how small—brings us one step closer to launching MindSage, an AI-powered mental health chatbot built for underserved communities across Africa and beyond.
Your support helps us build a platform that can provide emotional care to those who’ve been left behind by traditional systems.
We truly mean it when we say: we can’t do this without you. Thank you for believing in what we’re building. Your contribution is more than a donation—it’s a message of hope.
Get exclusive early access to the MindSage app before public release. Be one of the first to try our AI-powered mental health support.
Start strong with deeper care.
Get 3 months of premium MindSage access at launch. Unlock advanced tools, tailored emotional insights, and richer AI support to help you navigate anxiety, stress, and everyday life.
One year. One cause. One impact.
Unlock 12 months of premium features.
Shape the future of mental health.
Get into our private testing group before launch. You'll receive early app access, 1 year of premium features, and direct channels to share feedback that will guide real product decisions.
Help fund access for a whole community.
Your support will directly fund app access for underserved communities. You'll get lifetime premium access, private update invites, and your name listed publicly as a Community Impact Sponsor.