Michael Ife is the founder of MindWell, a mental health app designed to provide crucial, personalised support for students, professionals, and individuals facing mental health challenges. His goal is to make mental health resources more accessible and tailored to users’ needs, filling a gap in traditional mental health services.
BRT’s Support:
Michael credits BRT with being incredibly supportive throughout the development of MindWell. He was awarded a £500 Appin Entrepreneurship Award for his innovative app, and he highlights the significant role the BRT grant and mentorship have played in his
entrepreneurial journey.
"The grant I received, and the mentorship
provided helped me stay focused and motivated. Their resources have been crucial in turning my concept into a tangible project, even though it’s still in the development stage," says Michael.
Achievements:
One of Michael’s biggest achievements over the last year has been the receipt of the BRT grant, which provided the necessary resources to take MindWell from an idea to a working concept. The funding enabled him to create initial drafts, wireframes, and even begin coding the app himself.
Another major milestone was being shortlisted for the Santander X UK Awards
2024, where MindWell was recognised for its potential, despite narrowly missing
a place in the finals.
“Being shortlisted for the awards was an important step
forward for MindWell and gave me further confidence to pursue this project,”
Michael adds.
Next Steps:
Michael is now focused on completing the app’s core features and starting user testing. He plans to collaborate with mental health professionals to ensure the app’s effectiveness and to further refine it.
“I believe MindWell has the potential to bridge gaps in mental health care, especially for individuals who struggle to access traditional services,” says
Michael.
He is also working on partnerships with local mental health
organisations to integrate MindWell into their systems and ensure the app
aligns with best practices in mental health care.
In the long term, Michael envisions scaling MindWell globally and making it a valuable tool for individuals seeking timely and personalised mental health support, regardless of their location.
Key Milestones:
- Awarded £500 from the Appin Entrepreneurship Award to support app development
- Created early drafts, wireframes, and initial coding for MindWell Shortlisted for the Santander X UK Awards 2024, validating the app's potential
What’s Next:
- Completing the app’s core features
- Starting user testing and collaborating with mental health professionals
- Exploring research opportunities with the app as part of Michael’s thesis
- Building partnerships with local mental health organisations
- Scaling MindWell and integrating it into global mental health care systems