The Inner Foundation

Calling all Social Entrepreneurs & NGOs! 🗣 Are you working to improve the mental well-being of emerging adults? Do you have a proven solution and a clear plan for scaling? If so, we want to hear from you! What are we looking for? We welcome applications from organizations of all types—whether you’re a for-profit, non-profit, or hybrid model. You can be a social entrepreneur or an intrapreneur within an existing organization. What matters most to us is your ability to drive meaningful social change for emerging adults, alongside the character of your team. For this Open Call, we’re seeking changemakers who: - Focus on emerging adults (aged 18-30) - Operating within an Eastern European country - Have a proven solution and a roadmap to scale If you're ready to scale your impact, we’d love to learn more about your work and see if we make a good working match. How does the process work? Start with our Quick Scan. If we think we could make a good working match, we’ll invite you to submit a full application for further review. 📅 We’re processing applications on a rolling basis, with the final deadline at the end of October—so don’t wait to submit yours! Apply now and see if we’re the right fit to support your scaling journey: https://lnkd.in/dzGC6JKW 💭 Do you have questions about the application process or want to learn more about how we can work together? We're hosting an Ask Us Anything session on Zoom on October 7th from 11:00 to 12:00 (CEST). Register here: https://lnkd.in/dQ3CrJUS #SocialImpact #EmergingAdults #MentalWellbeing #DEIB #EasternEurope

Nearly 75% of mental health conditions begin before the age of 24, yet funding for youth mental health remains critically limited. Being Initiative has launched a funding call for bold ideas that address the early drivers of mental health and well-being for underserved young people. Those aged 10–24 in Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam. At The Inner Foundation, we focus on supporting emerging adults aged 18–30, a pivotal group navigating the transition into adulthood. Initiatives like this are critical for strengthening the mental health ecosystem and building solutions that meet the needs of young people at every stage of development. 📅 Deadline: January 15, 2024 💡 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eF6qfFaM #YouthMentalHealth #EmergingAdults #BoldSolutions #CollaborativeImpact #FundingCall

“Less than six years remain to keep the promise of the 2030 Agenda to end violence against children. There is no time to waste. We must act now, for and with children.” - Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid Last week, I attended a high-level event at the UN Headquarters, co-hosted by World Childhood Foundation, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York, and the UN Office of the Special Representative on Violence Against Children. More than half of the world's children are exposed to violence each year—an issue that strikes at the very core of our humanity. The event brought together dignitaries and experts to address this growing public health crisis, identifying concrete, sustainable actions needed to scale up efforts to protect children globally. As a proud board member of World Childhood Foundation USA, it was encouraging to see their important mission highlighted within the broader conversation on ending violence against children. For 25 years, Childhood has worked tirelessly to eradicate child sexual abuse and exploitation worldwide —a commitment championed by Queen Silvia of Sweden and carried forward by HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden. At The Inner Foundation, we recognize the enduring effects of disrupted family systems as an investment focus area, backing solutions that not only support children but address the long-term impact of these disruptions on emerging adults. A heartfelt thank you to World Childhood Foundation USA and the leaders behind this event. Turning commitments into concrete action is the only way forward. Every child deserves safety, support, and the opportunity to thrive. #TheInnerFoundation #protectourchildren #WorldChildhoodFoundation Paula Guillet de Monthoux, Mary L. Pulido, Janet Purtell O'Connell, Karini Gustafson, Charlotte Heuveldop, lena kaplan, Joanna Heimbold, Salma Merchant Rahmathulla, Madeleine Ekholm

Attended this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon, where Zakaria Hersi and I represented The Inner Foundation and our mission as a hybrid investor, championing inner health and focusing on our commitment to strengthening diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I joined a panel moderated by Sam Eshrati, focused on closing funding gaps for diverse founders. Why this angle? The numbers speak for themselves: in 2023, only 2.1% of global VC funding went to women-led startups, and even less to Black and Latinx founders. The need for action is urgent. Here are some of the reflections that surfaced during our discussion: ↗️ DEIB as an investment driver: For diversity investing to make an impact, it needs to move beyond rhetoric and into actionable investment frameworks. Embedding it as a core mandate can unlock pools of untapped talent and opportunities. ⏏️ Systemic barriers and overlooked potential: Systemic barriers—like entrenched biases in decision-making, limited access to networks, and underrepresentation in leadership—stifle opportunities for diverse founders and fund managers. Lived experiences and diverse perspectives hold value, not as a niche advantage, but as a necessity for creating equitable systems. ⤴️ Beyond returns: Inclusive investment isn’t just about better ROI; it’s about reshaping the system itself. By fostering an inclusive investment landscape, we can pave the way for sustainable, community-driven change that transcends traditional metrics. The data makes it clear: action is needed to close the gaps and create meaningful change. Let’s aim for a new standard to investment—one that doesn’t just aim for inclusivity but delivers it at scale. #WebSummit #ImpactInvesting #DEIB #InclusiveInvestment #SystemicChange Also met some great people! Christian Elam, Til Klein, Marjut Falkstedt, Danielle Belton, Manuela Kasper-Claridge, Molly He

"Let's Invest in Mental Health for Young People" At the Nordic Headspace Forum in Copenhagen, Danish Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen and former Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, founder of Det Sociale Netværk/headspace Denmark, called for urgent investment and expansion in youth mental health services. They highlighted the limitations of current welfare systems in addressing the rising mental health challenges faced by young people. The highlight was the discussions emphasizing the need for expanding our models of care with collaboration between the public sector, civil society, and private partners to share risks and costs while driving scalable innovations. - Mental health is built within communities, where young people live, learn, and work. How can we uplift eachother within the ecosystem? - The local people is needed - they have both credibility and can run with the fire... - The labor market needs to become part of young adults mental wellbeing. - Left energized by the positive feedback after presenting our investment model for scaling impactful mental health solutions tailored to emerging adults. Special thanks to Trine Hammershøy (headspace Denmark), Sigurthora Bergsdottir (headspace Bergid Iceland), and Tom Guldberg (headspace Norway) Nina Moss for the invitation and the conversations. I look forward to joining forces to strengthen the support systems for emerging adults across the Nordics. #emergingadults #nextinmind The Inner Foundation

Today is International Men’s Day—a day to spotlight men’s health, celebrate their contributions, and confront the silent crisis threatening their well-being. At The Inner Foundation, we focus on uplifting emerging adult men—a group facing unique and often overlooked mental health challenges. Globally, 480 million men struggle with mental ill health, and suicide remains the leading cause of death. Societal norms demand that men "man up," suppress emotions, and face struggles in silence. The results? Isolation, substance dependency, and, far too often, lives lost to despair. Yet, the urgency to act remains blurred. Mental health challenges among men are critically underserved—both in awareness and investment. Stigma and outdated expectations prevent men from seeking help, perpetuating a vicious cycle of silence and inaction. We believe it’s time for change, and channel our catalytic hybrid model to support innovative, male-centric solutions that break the silence and create lasting impact. Some of the organizations include: 👨👦 Fathers' UpLift, Inc.: Empowering fathers—particularly those facing systemic barriers—to stay engaged in their children’s lives. 📱 MANUAL: A digital platform offering male-centric, evidence-based content and coaching tailored to men’s unique challenges. 🎶 SPOKE: A therapeutic audio app combining music and CBT techniques to help men improve sleep, self-awareness, and mental well-being. 🗣 1825 - För unga vuxnas psykiska hälsa: Project funded by Jämställdhetsmyndigheten, 1825 organises discussion groups that offer young men a safe space to explore friendship and love, promoting emotional well-being and healthier, supportive relationships. This International Men’s Day, the call to action is clear: it’s time to break the silence and take bold, intentional steps to uplift men’s mental health. Want to join the conversation or learn more about our work? Reach out! #InternationalMensDay #UpliftingEmergingAdultMen #MensMentalHealth #InvestInChange 💡 Research compiled by: Sophia Nabil Gustafsson

🗣 To our network heading to Slush 2024—don’t miss this chance to catch up on #NextinMind, our collective initiative to support social entrepreneurs driving impactful mental health solutions co-founded with Reach for Change and Tim Bergling Foundation! Join the breakfast event on November 21st at Illusian Founder Office, and hear from inspiring social entrepreneurs like Markus Raivio (Kukunori), Johanna Kronstedt (Sekasin Kollektiivi), and Anna Juusela (We Encourage). Limited spots are left— so secure yours through the instructions below. 🚀 #Slush2024 #ImpactInvesting #NextinMind Sofia Breitholtz, Laura Meyer

'Stiftelsen 1825 enters new growth phase - Caroline Stiernstedt Sahlborn appointed as Secretary General' The board of Stiftelsen 1825 has announced the appointment of Caroline Stiernstedt Sahlborn as its new Secretary General, marking an important step in the organization’s strategic growth journey. Caroline will be joining from January 1, 2024, from her role as Partner at The Inner Foundation.   Annika Sten Pärson, founder and Chairman of Stiftelsen 1825 and Founding partner and Executive Chair at The Inner Foundation, highlights the significance of this appointment: “Caroline’s vast experience and commitment position her perfectly to lead Stiftelsen 1825 into this next phase. Her proven leadership across complex, cross-sectoral initiatives, her deep understanding of emerging adults' mental health challenges, and her strong operational track record make her an ideal choice for this role. While this means Caroline won’t be part of The Inner Foundation’s daily operations, her anchoring in our mission will allow 1825—our foundational investment and first portfolio organization—to remain deeply interconnected with our shared focus. We are confident that Caroline will guide 1825’s growth and deepen its impact for emerging adults at a pivotal stage in their lives.” For further details, read the full announcement:  Press release - [Swedish]: https://lnkd.in/dZfKr_dS  Press release - [English]: https://lnkd.in/dFHY_XkK 1825 - För unga vuxnas psykiska hälsa 📸 Jean Lapin

We’re thrilled to welcome Zakaria Hersi to The Inner Foundation as he joins us as our Investment & Portfolio Manager! 🗣 Zakaria brings extensive experience across both non-profit and for-profit sectors. As co-founder of Framtid, he has supported impactful startups like Nothing, Dema, and Sava, with a focus on driving social progress. He has also led growth initiatives at Truecaller, and most recently, he advised on a $1 billion fund for African startups with UNDP Africa, empowering businesses dedicated to sustainable development and social impact. In his role, Zakaria will lead our hybrid portfolio, strategically managing both equity investments and grants. With his diverse expertise, he will be instrumental in identifying solutions that align with our mission to support inner health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in society. “Joining The Inner Foundation is an honor and aligns perfectly with my passion for leveraging investments for social good. It is a perfect match and their mission of fostering inner health, diversity, and equity reflects my drive for impactful change. I’m eager to contribute to a forward-thinking team dedicated to sustainable and transformative solutions". - Zakaria Hersi "We are excited to have Zakaria join the team. His cross-sectorial experience and proven track record within social impact will provide insight and a new lens to our investment approach. I look forward to collaborating closely to strategically support and strengthen our portfolio." - Annika Sten Pärson, Founding Partner & Executive Chair Please join us in warmly welcoming Zakaria to the team!  🚀

I’m excited to announce that I'll be speaking at Web Summit in Lisbon. I'll be joining Christian Elam and Til Klein in a panel moderated by Sam Eshrati to address the role of LPs in bridging the funding gap for diverse founders. We’ll unpack how funds can move beyond surface-level commitments to meet the demands of a new generation, where diversity isn’t just an asset - but a business imperative. Through real-world examples, we’ll explore how DEIB can evolve from a value to a future mandate for funds and institutional investors, reshaping how investments are driven and measured. At The Inner Foundation, DEIB is woven into the fabric of our investment strategy. We back funds and fund-of-funds that prioritize underserved founders—ensuring that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core drivers of impact. As a thematic investor in mental health, we recognize the disproportionate challenges faced by underrepresented groups and channel our resources to create a more inclusive, equitable support system. I look forward to discussing how LPs can serve as catalysts in closing funding gaps—and how, together, we can drive meaningful progress toward an inclusive investment landscape. #WebSummit #DiversityEquityInclusionBelonging #MentalHealth #EmergingAdults