PONDER
Pocket-size therapeutic
advice, anywhere at anytime.
Our mission is to provide affordable, accessible, and practical therapeutic support.
The pace of change in today's interconnected world is becoming unpredictable and volatile, impacting our collective mental health.
2019
2024
$
Global
Pandemic
Australian
Bushfires
US
Civil Unrest
Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Ukraine War
Cost Of Living Crisis
Chat GPT
Launches
Israel & Palestine Conflict
Globally, the mental health sector is in a state of emergency and ongoing therapy is becoming inaccessible and unaffordable for many.
Graph 1.0 The percentage of the population affected by persistent anxiety or depression:
Source: Global monitor (2021)
Figure 1.0 - Barriers to therapy
Affordability
Availability
Location
Language
Representation
Stigma
Source: Psychology Today (2022)
Ponder uses Gen AI & voice technology to provide ethical therapeutic guidance and practical life advice.
Trained using clinical psychological materials and techniques.
Clinical Psychology
Holistic Coaching
Promotes well-being by connecting physical, emotional, and mental dimensions.
Mindfullness
Bring users back to the present moment overall well-being and decision-making abilities.
Conversational
Delivers scientifically supported guidance in a conversational and concise manner through voice technology.
Ponder has been trained to follow a simple three-step therapeutic process that empowers users by encouraging them to reflect on their own values and act accordingly.
2.Reflect
Encourage the user to reflect on their own values and determine what they can influence and what they must let go of.
1
2
3
3.Empower
Empower the user to take action. This could be having a hard conversation, seeking professional help, or viewing the situation in a different light.
1.Validate
Show empathy and validate that the person's experience and feelings are valid, creating a judgement-free and open space.
Ponder uses therapeutic methods to help users, facilitating a deeper understanding of their emotions and patterns of thought.
The service is trained to foster self-compassion and empathy towards oneself and others.
This shift in perspective reduces stress and encourages openness and acceptance, paving the way for personal growth and overall well-being.
We built a prototype on Open-AI by building and training a custom GPT then tested it with potential users who were amazed by the simplicity and objectivity of the product.
Our user tests revealed that Ponder can be a great supplement to therapy and proves to be extremely valuable when participants are looking for objective advice.
Quotes
Taya, Female, 32
Content Creator
“It would be a great supplement to therapy, something a little more personal that you
could have on you when you're just going through a tough moment.”
Candice - Female, 27
Primary School Teacher
“‘Hearing a voice soothingly tell me this is what you should know is emotionally supportive ...I would use it at school to find balance after a kid has a meltdown“
Jake - Male, 40
Manger Public Services
““I love that it was objective, friends are too subjective, they have opinions about your
life already””
El - Female 28
Publist
“‘It helped me find some clarity after going through a break up and I couldn’t
get an appointment with a therapist”
George, Male, 62
Retired
““I liked it because it gave me point-by-point tips which I think is quite practical
and it’s also very easy to use”
*Names changed to protect privacy
User Test
Ponders' simplicity and ability to leverage emerging technology enable it to successfully enter the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific Mental Health app market.
Market Fit
Market Size
Not Therapeutic
Market Fit
The current landscape of mental health apps shows a distinct inclination towards meditation-focused offerings, leaving a niche for simple conversational apps that aren’t overly complex or expensive. This presents a strategic opportunity for new entrants to fill this gap with new innovative solutions that blend ease of use with comprehensive therapeutic functionalities for a low cost.
Global Market Size
The fast-growing market of the mental health app sector is in the Asia Pacific region and Australia. According to a CHOICE survey conducted in June 2022, over 1,000 participants revealed that 30% of Australians have downloaded one or more mental health apps on their smartphones.
Market Revenue
The Mental Health Apps Market is expected to grow from USD 7.09 billion in 2024 to USD 15.42 billion by 2029, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.82%. A new player with a solid value proposition, technological innovation, and effective marketing strategies securing only 1% of this expanding market could generate around USD 154.2 million in revenue by 2029.
Problem
- Global anxiety and depression levels are increasing due to unstable world conditions.
- Traditional support systems like family, friends, and religion are diminishing.
- Challenges to traditional therapy include cost, time, stigma, language, and location.
Existing Alternatives
- Traditional therapy sessions can be expensive and infrequent.
- Other mental health apps like BetterHelp, and Talkspace, offer professional counselling that is expensive and needs scheduling
- Informal support from friends and family, which lack objectivity and professionalism
Solution
- 24/7 accessible, affordable, and confidential mental health support through Gen AI & Voice
- Personalised, practical therapeutic guidance based on a blend of therapeutic methods and coaching techniques.
- Integration with daily life for immediate emotional support and crisis intervention.
Key Metrics
- Subscription revenue from individual users at $5-$10/month after a 3-day free trial.
- Licensing fees from organizations using the white-label version.
- Possible future revenue from in-app purchases or premium features.
Unique Value Proposition
Immediate, objective support at the touch of a button —combining therapy and life coaching to turn everyday problems into opportunities for growth.
High Level Concept
Pocket-sized therapy, anywhere at any time.
Unfair Advantage
- A unique blend of therapeutic methods and coaching techniques.
- Proprietary AI & Voice technology tailored for quick, accessible support.
- Positive initial user feedback indicates high user satisfaction and effectiveness.
- As a new entrant into the market, we can capitalise on emerging technologies and release innovative solutions without causing friction with users and creators
Channels
- Online marketing through social media and content platforms.
- Partnerships with educational institutions and health organizations.
- B2C App stores for direct consumer downloads.
- B2B sales for white-label solutions.
Customer Segments
- Individuals facing daily stressors who seek quick and accessible advice.
- Students, parents, and working professionals with time and cost constraints.
- Organisations such as schools, universities, organisational wellbeing companies and mental health practitioners who are looking for supplemental tools.
Early Adopters
- Active users of existing mental health apps who are open to trying new, innovative solutions.
- Individuals with busy schedules who require quick, accessible mental health support
- Social media users who engage with wellness content are likely to be receptive to trying Ponder through targeted advertising.
Cost Structure
Fixed Costs:
- GPT & voice-to-text licensing fees.
- Development costs for initial app build and design.
- Legal compliance and data security costs.
Variable Costs:
- Cloud hosting, GPT tokens and data storage costs are scaling with the user base.
- Marketing and user acquisition campaigns
- Fees associated with sales and partnerships
Revenue Streams
- Subscription revenue from individual users at $5-$10/month after a 3-day free trial.
- Licensing fees from organizations using the white-label version.
- Possible revenue from qualitative and quantitive data sources
"There is no one way to approach mental health services and support. It requires a bigger perspective than what's been looked at before — not just focusing on singular interventions or groups"
Alison Schafer, advisor for World Health Organisations
At Ponder, we firmly believe in the ethical use of AI and emphasise the significance of combining this product with therapy and strong social bonds.
You can explore our whitepaper to understand our company's ethos and our strategies for addressing this project's societal and technical risks.