In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Heath speaks with Ataes Aggarwal, co-founder of Moodr Health, an AI-driven platform improving behavioral health through remote monitoring. They discuss Moodr’s origins, its evolution from perinatal mental health to broader applications, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare. Ataes shares lessons on scaling a health tech startup, building motivated and independent teams, and navigating challenges unique to communities like Appalachia. The conversation also touches on marketing’s role in brand growth, the power of partnerships, and Ataes’ core advice: keep things simple and stay persistent.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Moodr Health and Its Mission
03:12 The Genesis of Moodr Health
06:09 The Role of Data in Behavioral Health
08:46 Building Relationships Through Technology
12:07 Ethical AI in Healthcare
15:00 Expanding Focus: From Perinatal to Broader Mental Health
18:06 Challenges and Growth in Business
21:04 Real-World Impact and Case Studies
24:02 Scalability and Future Directions
28:15 Motivation and Team Dynamics
32:24 Marketing and Brand Development
37:30 Scaling Challenges and Team Independence
40:46 Community Impact and Healthcare Challenges
45:05 Collaborations and Partnerships
48:04 Final Thoughts and Advice

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Ataes Aggarwal
• Guest's Title/Position:  Co-Founder
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ataes/
• Company / Affiliation: Moodr Health  https://moodrhealth.com/
• Guest's Bio: Ataes Aggarwal is the co-founder of Moodr Health, a company empowering healthcare organizations to build genuine, scalable connections with their patients through AI-driven, ethical technology. A Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering graduate, Ataes combines technical expertise with empathy to advance behavioral health. He champions responsible AI, emphasizing privacy, fairness, and respect, and believes success comes from simplicity, perseverance, and creating real impact in people’s lives.

Takeaways:

• Moodr Health aims to stop silent suffering in behavioral health.
• The platform started with a psychiatrist using Fitbits for patient data.
• Data collection in mental health can enhance treatment efficacy.
• Building relationships through technology is key to patient care.
• Ethical AI is crucial in healthcare applications.
• Moodr Health is expanding its focus beyond perinatal mental health.
• The company is passionate about serving veterans and community health.
• Scalability is a challenge but the technology is designed for growth.
• Real-time data can improve patient-provider communication.
• The team is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. Motivation stems from having a clear vision and a supportive team.
• A strong team is essential for navigating the challenges of a startup.
• Continuous learning is crucial, often through traditional methods like textbooks.
• Marketing is a vital component of a startup's success.
• Founders often have a deep connection to their brand and its story.
• Building independence within teams is key to scaling effectively.
• Healthcare challenges in Appalachia require innovative solutions.
• Collaborations with organizations can enhance service delivery.
• Every detail matters when serving patients and customers.
• Simplicity in communication and strategy is difficult but essential.