Questions we hear most.

Brain health encompasses the full spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions — from depression, anxiety, and PTSD to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's — as well as the broader goal of optimizing cognitive function and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan. The World Health Organization defines it as the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioral, and motor domains, allowing a person to realize their full potential.

McKinsey Health Institute estimates a $26 trillion total economic opportunity from addressing brain health globally. The annual economic cost of brain disorders is projected to reach $6 trillion by 2030. The brain health supplements market alone is expected to grow from $12.6 billion in 2025 to over $35 billion by 2035, while the broader mental health technology and services market continues to expand at double-digit rates.

Mental and neurological conditions account for roughly 14% of the global disease burden — measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) — yet receive only about 2% of domestic government healthcare funding worldwide. Less than 5% of mental health research funding reaches low- and middle-income countries. This mismatch between burden and investment represents one of the largest funding gaps in all of healthcare, and each dollar invested in scaling mental health interventions has an estimated economic return of $5 to $6.

Fewer than 2% of venture capital firms have a dedicated focus on brain health. While mental health venture funding saw a 38% rise in 2024 — reaching $2.7 billion — the majority of that capital comes from generalist healthcare funds making opportunistic bets rather than firms with deep domain expertise in neuroscience and psychiatry. This concentration gap is one of the reasons Awareness Capital was founded.

Awareness Capital is a venture capital firm exclusively focused on brain and mental health. Founded by experienced investors and operators with deep roots in neuroscience, the firm invests in companies developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and infrastructure that can improve outcomes for the roughly 25% of the global population affected by brain health conditions.

Awareness Capital invests where strong science, early traction, and disciplined execution converge. The firm focuses on three areas: early detection technologies including novel biomarkers and AI-powered diagnostics; treatment innovation spanning targeted therapeutics, digital therapeutics, and personalized approaches; and community infrastructure — the tools, services, and networks that make brain health support more practical and accessible. Capital follows evidence and conviction rather than category excitement.

Awareness Capital invests primarily in early to growth-stage companies. The portfolio spans Seed through Series B, with a focus on companies that have moved beyond pure research and have credible clinical or commercial traction. The firm evaluates opportunities based on scientific rigor, regulatory pathway clarity, and the operational capacity to translate innovation into real-world adoption.

The firm uses a four-step diligence process: (1) Signal sourcing through scientific advisors, operators, and sector pattern recognition; (2) Scientific vetting that stress-tests mechanisms, clinical relevance, and the evidence required for durable conviction; (3) Operational audit where partners assess the realities of execution, regulation, adoption, and scale; and (4) Decision and support, pairing capital with substantive, practical involvement rather than symbolic board participation.

Awareness Capital is led by four managing partners: Charles Finnie, a venture capitalist with deep experience in enterprise software and AI; Garen Staglin, co-founder of One Mind and a leading advocate for brain health research and policy; Gwill York, managing director with decades of venture investing experience; and Kathy Guerry, a finance executive who has led operations and compliance at prominent investment and real-estate firms.

Several areas are attracting significant investment and scientific progress: AI-powered diagnostics that can detect conditions earlier and more accurately; digital therapeutics — FDA-cleared software-based treatments like Rejoyn for major depressive disorder and SleepioRx for chronic insomnia; precision psychiatry using biomarkers for personalized treatment selection; psychedelic-assisted therapies, with psilocybin (COMPASS Pathways) targeting FDA review by late 2026; interventional approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation; and B2B mental health platforms that embed care into employer benefits.

The psychedelic therapy landscape is advancing despite setbacks. The FDA declined MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in August 2024, citing trial methodology concerns. However, COMPASS Pathways' synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) completed two positive Phase 3 trials for treatment-resistant depression and targets FDA submission in late 2026. Esketamine (Spravato) remains the only FDA-approved psychedelic treatment, cleared in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression. The field is maturing in its approach to trial design and regulatory engagement.

AI is reshaping multiple dimensions of mental health care: clinical decision support tools that help providers identify risk factors and personalize treatment plans; natural language processing for early detection of mood disorders through speech and text analysis; computer vision for objective measurement of behavioral biomarkers; and operational automation that reduces administrative burden on providers. While AI represented about 48% of mental health venture funding in 2024 (down from 53% in 2023), the technology remains central to most scaling strategies in the sector.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are evidence-based software programs that deliver medical interventions directly to patients. In mental health, the FDA has cleared several prescription DTx products: Rejoyn for major depressive disorder, MamaLift Plus for postpartum depression, SleepioRx for insomnia, and DaylightRx for generalized anxiety disorder. CMS expanded reimbursement codes for digital mental health treatments effective in 2026, and major insurers including Cigna and CVS Health now cover FDA-approved DTx products, creating a viable commercial pathway.

Mental health venture funding is experiencing a resurgence after a post-pandemic correction. The sector attracted $2.7 billion in 2024, up 38% year-over-year, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in health tech. Early 2026 has seen continued momentum with major rounds including Talkiatry ($210M), Grow Therapy ($150M Series D), and Salma ($80M Series A). Investors are shifting toward later-stage companies with established revenue, B2B2C models, and interventional psychiatry — moving away from the low-acuity digital wellness plays that dominated earlier cycles.

Awareness Capital's portfolio spans the brain health ecosystem: diagnostic platforms using AI and biomarkers for earlier detection; therapeutic companies developing next-generation treatments from precision psychiatry to psychedelic-assisted therapy; digital health platforms improving access to care and provider capacity; and community infrastructure tools that support patients, caregivers, and the broader care system. Portfolio companies include firms in clinical-stage drug development, FDA-cleared digital therapeutics, and scalable care-delivery platforms.

The firm pairs investment with practical, domain-specific support rather than symbolic involvement. This includes access to a network of scientific advisors and clinical experts in neuroscience and psychiatry; introductions to potential clinical and commercial partners; guidance on regulatory strategy and reimbursement pathways; and strategic counsel from partners who have operated in the intersection of healthcare, technology, and policy for decades.

Garen Staglin, a managing partner of Awareness Capital, is co-founder of One Mind — a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating brain health research and advocacy. This connection provides Awareness Capital with deep insight into the scientific frontier of neuroscience research, access to a broad network of researchers and clinicians, and alignment with the broader mission of improving brain health outcomes globally. The relationship reflects the firm's commitment to investing with both scientific rigor and social purpose.

Awareness Capital welcomes introductions from founders, co-investors, and scientific advisors in the brain health space. The firm prioritizes substantive first conversations over polished pitches. Founders can reach out through the contact form on the website or through the firm's advisory network. The team evaluates opportunities based on scientific validity, clinical or commercial traction, team quality, and alignment with the firm's focus areas in diagnostics, treatment innovation, and community infrastructure.

Awareness Capital can lead or co-invest depending on the opportunity, stage, and existing syndicate composition. The firm values having a meaningful relationship with portfolio companies and often takes an active role in supporting scientific strategy, regulatory navigation, and commercial development — regardless of whether it leads the round.

While Awareness Capital is headquartered in the United States, the firm evaluates opportunities globally. Brain health challenges are universal — 25% of the global population is affected by neurological and psychiatric conditions — and innovation often originates from international research institutions and clinical programs. The firm has particular interest in companies with a clear path to the U.S. market given its regulatory clarity and reimbursement infrastructure.