Behind every bold idea, every line of code, every sales pitch and impact KPI, there is a human being navigating immense pressure, responsibility, and uncertainty. Yet the mental and physical health of founders is too often overlooked. Usually, it only comes into focus when things go wrong.
We decided that was not good enough.
The Ananda Founders’ Health Programme is our answer. It is a holistic, structured, and proactive support system for the entrepreneurs in our portfolio. Because we know this to be true: healthy founders build stronger companies. And building impactful companies must start by prioritising the well-being of the people behind them.
The Problem No One Wants to Talk About
Startups are high-stakes environments. Founders push themselves to the edge and beyond to bring their visions to life. They are under pressure from investors, customers, employees, and themselves. They often sacrifice sleep, relationships, and personal well-being in pursuit of a mission.
But burnout, anxiety, and health breakdowns are not badges of honour. They are red flags.
They can not only dramatically affect the individual but also derail entire teams, destabilise companies, and undo years of hard work.
Recent data highlights the urgency.
- 54% of founders experienced burnout in the past year
- 46% rated their mental health as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’
- 75% reported anxiety, and 83% reported high stress
(Source: Sifted survey)
These are not just statistics. They represent a systemic challenge in the startup ecosystem, and one we, as investors, cannot afford to ignore.
From Initiative to Programme: Our Journey
Our commitment to founder well-being did not start yesterday.
- In 2018, we began by including external HR professionals in our Due Diligence process to better support founding teams beyond the investment process.
- In 2020, we introduced the Founders’ Health Clause in all our termsheets, making well-being part of our structural agreements.
- And in 2023, we launched the Founders’ Health Programme, a comprehensive offering for all founders in our active portfolio.
And we still feel like we are just getting started.
Led with Care and Expertise
The programme is thoughtfully led by Rebecca Hill, our Head Coach, who brings many years of coaching experience helping founders to navigate the personal and professional challenges that come with building ambitious ventures.
What the Programme Offers
This is not a feel-good initiative. It is a strategic investment in our founders’ resilience and leadership capacity. It’s built on three key pillars that founders identified to us as critical to them:
1. Coaching
We have curated a trusted core team of coaches specialising in founder challenges, from performance to wellbeing. With guidance from our Head Coach, we match founders with the right person for their specific needs.
2. Peer Support
We offer expert-led events on topics such as:
- Co-founder dynamics
- Managing well-being during fundraising
- Parenthood as a founder
Each event is built around practical tools, not theory.
Critically, oftentimes the best support comes from someone who understands the journey. We create space at these events for peer-to-peer exchanges as well as offering introductions based on founders’ needs to other recommended networks like EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization).
3. Resource Library
We maintain a curated repository of podcasts, articles, videos, and research to help founders reflect, grow, and find support when they need it most. And offer a 24/7 helpline for those crucial moments when support is needed fast.
The Bottom Line: This Is Impact Investing
We built this programme because founder health is not optional. It is central to sustainable leadership, scalable impact, and long-term financial success.
This is not about self-care slogans or token well-being perks. It is about embedding health as a structural priority, not a reactive fix. It is about shifting the culture so founders are not expected to operate on empty tanks. And it is about showing the ecosystem that taking care of founders is not a liability. It is a strategic imperative.
We believe this is what impact investing truly means: backing the people who have the courage to build what matters, and making sure they can sustain that courage over time.
Because when a founder thrives, a company thrives.
And when companies thrive, systemic change becomes possible.