Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: An Interview with Luciana Carvalho
April 27, 2021The following interview was carried out with Luciana Carvalho from Inia Health as part of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which myGwork proudly sponsors.
Can you tell us about yourself and your company?
I describe myself as a learner, maker, systems thinker, and tech innovator – a proponent of change and tech for good. My background is: Law degree from Cambridge University; Graduate in Systems Thinking and International Business from Harvard and HULT Int. Business School; specialised in PM, Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid Training and currently Human-Computer Interaction. I spent 9 years+ working in BD, Marketing & Operations at award-winning startups and global agencies – in the fields of big data, cybersecurity, AR/VR and digital transformation. Passionate about cutting-edge tech and evangelizing its applications in Health and Education, I’m also a seasoned keynote/TEDx speaker at the intersection of D&I, mental health and new technologies i.e. “Hacking the brain using VR”.
Inia Health is a social enterprise democratising Stress, Anxiety and Depression awareness and facilitating diagnostics and interventions, achieving +200,000 completed assessments in less than 2 years and an average of +10k users a month). We’re working with companies – like CPB Contractors – on supporting their strategic mental health & wellbeing efforts, and recently partnered with Koa Health, a leading UK provider to bring their Foundations wellbeing and resilience training app to as many people as possible. I have a long history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder and eating disorders since the age of 16, so am on a personal mission to revolutionise the way we do things in psychology & psychiatry.
How have you championed equality in your work?
I started building websites when I was 8 years old, but cultural, societal and my inner biases (especially in Brazil in the 90s) meant that a career in STEM/tech was never really a “thing a girl did”, so I went down the humanities route. Going full circle, back into the world of tech, I made it my mission to make sure girls and anything who felt they wanted a ‘different’ path from what was expected of them, felt confident and comfortable in following their dreams. I’ve been a speaker and mentor for Lesbians Who Tech, EuroOut, Out in Tech, Bloomberg Media, Founders4Schools, GeekGirlsUK, Code First: Girls, WOW Talks, WonderWomenTech, Lean In etc. I co-founded a meetup called Women in VR UK which rebranded to Unfold UK, empowering underrepresented voices in the immersive tech world. I’m now an Ambassador for Women in Immersive Tech Europe and also for the European Digital Society, where we’re working on a macro, pan-European level to create a diverse and inclusive foundation for future digital societies.
I’ve also led award-winning D&I Strategies, held workshops at Cannes Lions on i.e. Empathy and Fighting Unconscious Bias using VR, and most recently, intersectional Diversity x Mental Health programs for companies, particularly looking to raise awareness and educate folks to go beneath the ‘checklist’ and/or iceberg and take into account the full human spectrum (beyond just gender), namely LGBTQIA+, neurodiversity, BAME, Latinx, and different socio-economic backgrounds.
Lastly, I sit on the Board of Series Q, a nonprofit powering LGBTQ+ folks in startups in the UK, and am a Scout for Ada Ventures, looking to increase dealflow for LGBTQ+ and underrepresented founders
Growing up, who was your LGBTQ+ role model?
Although I suspected I was gay at a very early age (or at least really ‘admired’ women but didn’t know if I wanted to be them or be with them), the pressures of a very Catholic family, the lack of visibility and representation at the time and the fact that I simply, did not think that was a possibility for me, meant that I only properly came out at 27.
As such, I don’t remember having specific LGBTQ+ role models growing up, or any real role models that I could look up to in Brazil at least. Now, yes. Now, I’ve more than I can count! From Arlan Hamilton to Kara Swisher to Laverne Cox, Megan Smith, Alicia Garza, Leanne Pittsford (and many more) to my girlfriend and close friends that I admire deeply.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I have historically been quite bad at this, as a not-so-proud workaholic. I kid: I’m actually so passionate about what I do that my relaxing time is literally watching videos and reading books about mental health, but in the spirit of walking the talk, I’ve become better at having a very sensible work-life balance (which we all need!). Favourite things to do in the world are spending time with loved ones – especially girlfriend and family, working out, meeting new people and having great conversations, reading, delicious coffee, going for walks, watching sunsets/sunrises and anything involving wine (I’m a big wino). Great music (listening to and/or dancing, I’m Brazilian after all). Anything spontaneous really, that involves quality time with people that I care about.
What does this award mean to you?
It means the world to me to be recognized for what I do, especially as I have big imposter syndrome and am my own worst critic. So seeing that I am making a difference and, ultimately, that I can be not only a ‘role model’ but a real model to LGBTQ+ folks out there looking to get into startups or follow their passions and dreams, that is a dream come true for me. I spent decades listening to the “should” voices in my head: what I should do, where I should live, who I should be with, what my life should look like etc… that I want to the world to know that there are no shoulds; that being ‘different’ or not filling the norm is not something to be ashamed of, but celebrated; that by connecting in with your truth you are opening an entire world of possibility and that we do have all the tools inside of us to make that happen. Recognising diversity role models is crucial to giving future generations the key to unlock their most authentic life and selves… Gen Z is doing a good job at that, and here we are, queerest generation of all! 🥳
What do you think is the current greatest challenge facing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs?
As is the case with any minority or underrepresented founder, it’s access to resources, especially funding. For all the press we’ve been seen in the last few years about supporting ‘diverse founders’, the reality is we have less than 4% going to female founders and 0.00008% when we’re talking about a female-queer-black founder. At Series Q, we’re partnering with StartOut and a few VC firms to try to improve accessibility but the reality is, especially when we’re talking about LGBTQ+ specific projects, it becomes very very difficult to convince potential investors of the (1) total addressable market, (2) viability of idea etc a similar issue we encounter in the likes of Femtech. A lot just don’t understand the inherent challenges we face. Also, it’s the visibility issue too. Some founders aren’t publicly out or at least don’t associate their product/startup with the fact they’re LGBTQ+ – why should they, we can argue – so another thing I’ve wanted to do when I have some more spare time is to map the full landscape of LGTBQ+ entrepreneurs, at least in Europe and the UK.
If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Oh, where to start… A lot of things: she was a kind, very insecure, timid, empathetic, driven and curious child. I’d say, although she will hear otherwise, her kindness is her superpower. I’d tell her that people can take advantage of that kindness and there will inevitably be suffering, but from all difficulty comes growth and opportunity and she should never let that affect her view of humanity. That the best path is often the least trodden one and to always follow her heart, albeit trying to be a little less impulsive… I’d tell her that, life is short, it’s like a game, you have to be smart, but it’s important to have fun. Sometimes you have to look after yourself and your loved ones, and it’s important to say “no” and set boundaries, especially and importantly for yourself. Sleep, exercise, lots of water and nutrition – know what her body needs and respect it. Lastly, for any heartache: “this too shall pass” and as an everyday mantra: “be kind to yourself”.
In your eyes, what makes good corporate culture, and how do you implement it?
Again, I could write an entire essay about this but I’ll be concise:
- Inclusive, adaptive and empathic leadership – leaders and C-suite have to ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to vulnerability, admitting failure and taking personal responsibility, as well as actively and loudly establishing a culture of trust.
- Manager empowerment rather than micromanagement: giving people the autonomy and flexibility to design their schedules, being output-driven than fixated on ‘rules’. Give them wings to fly and they will do.
- Growth > fixed mindsets.
- Diversity of thought, background, character and style – we’ve seen repeatedly that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones and make for more productive, all in all successful and revenue-generating companies.
- Recognising that “your people are your biggest strength, or your Achilles heel”. Respect them, listen to them, bring them in on decision-making when you can, create more flatter hierarchies and less bureaucracy as much as possible.
- Collaboration > individuality.
- Allow for swiggly career paths, encourage people to find who they really are and evolve within the company.
- Emphasize smaller teams culture, no bigger than Bezos’ “2 pizzas rule”: allow them to create their own sub-cultures, values and ways of working.
- Recruit smarter people than you. Be aware of bias.
- Recognize and empower individual wellbeing: that’s key to retention. Happy employees = happier profits.
- Be mission and values-driven rather than process-driven.
How to get there? The million dollar question. I think it’s about trust, autonomy and vulnerability, allowing people to bring their full selves to work.
Where do you see yourself and your work in 5 years?
I actually have a written 5-year plan down but not sure how much to divulge here… Let’s just say, it’ll be at the intersection of cutting edge tech x neuroscience & mental health x democratization. I am moving into an Advisory role with Inia Health and have just joined as the Co-Founder of a new startup (still in stealth) that’s looking at the convergence 2 key technologies tipping points: Digital health and Artificial Intelligence. In combination with psychedelic therapy, this will revolutionise the mental health treatment industry. So the next 5 years will see me building that out alongside the powerhouse team we have onboard, helping bridge the mental health care gap making psychedelic treatments safer, more scalable and more accessible to most vulnerable (and in need) populations. Alongside that, helping build out a more equitable paradigm shift for investments that’s impact and growth focused – supporting Masawa Fund – and investing in, advising and supporting further breakthroughs in neuropsychiatry.
Personally, I see myself in between Berlin-Lisbon, enjoying life with my girlfriend, family and close friends and seeing where the next few years take us. And travelling, whenever we’re allowed to!
Is there any advice you have for others seeking to follow in your footsteps and success?
One: don’t be afraid. I know it’s clichéd but the greatest things truly are on the other side of fear. Second: really get to know yourself – develop self-awareness, self-understanding and self-compassion. That’ll move mountains. And third: use that to get in true alignment with where you want to go. I think so many people are going through life without really getting in tune with what they’re really about, what they stand for, what their values and goals are, and you can’t really know what path to go down on if you’re being reactive rather than proactive… that’s one of the biggest and most transformational turning points in my life, the moment that I truly understood who I was, who I want to be and what I do that brings the most value to the world. And I’ll squeeze in a fourth: have fun! Life’s too short to be so focused on the goals that you lose sight on the process. Deep down, I said all that, but in a way, no-one really truly knows where you’re going and life throws you curveballs all the time – roll with it and enjoy the ride.
Do you have a mentor? If yes, what have they brought you?
I’ve official and unofficial ones – Dr Mark Esposito is one since Harvard days, as he set me out on a path towards what I really wanted to do, when I was lost halfway through a Cambridge Law degree. He’s also believed in me, pushed, gave me opportunities to soar and validated that my way of thinking and being in the world is neuro atypical – and that’s something to be celebrated rather than chastised. My Circle’s Circle, an incredible small group of global female badasses who not only support, challenge and celebrate each other on an ongoing basis, but have become my closest confidants and friends. My dear friend and sister Kim Arazi – my partner in crime, inspiration, shoulder to cry on, basically family. Zuzanna coach, friend, collaborator and another partner in crime. My therapist. And my parents, my ultimate sources of strength, inspiration and lifeblood.