In the Room with Neil Parikh, co-founder of Slingshot AI

In this season’s finale of The Room Podcast, we’re thrilled to chat with Neil Parikh, co-Founder of Casper and current co-founder of Slingshot AI. Neil first disrupted the mattress industry by building Casper into a household name, pioneering the direct-to-consumer sleep revolution before taking the company public. Now, he’s tackling an even bigger challenge with Slingshot, building a foundational AI model specifically designed for psychology and mental health therapy.

In this episode, we dive into Neil’s journey from medical school to the start up life, the lessons he took from Casper to founding Slingshot, and the future of AI as it enters our minds, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Join us as we re-imagine how we understand and care for mental health.

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T1: From Medical School to Entrepreneurship

Neil’s story begins in New Jersey, where he grew up in a family of Indian immigrants. With a strong emphasis on education and healthcare, it was only natural for him to pursue a career in medicine. His father was a doctor, his mother a microbiologist, and his sister followed suit into the medical field. However, after a rude awakening in medical school, he realized that the structured, high-pressure environment was not for him.

Neil described his experience in medical school as a stark contrast to the open-ended, exploratory nature of his college education at Brown University. He found himself surrounded by peers who were intensely focused on their medical careers, while he was grappling with the desire to innovate and create. This dissonance led him to question whether the traditional path was right for him.

It was during this time that he discovered the world of entrepreneurship. Inspired by friends and the desire to create meaningful change, Neil began to explore various projects and startups. He recounted how he and his college friends brainstormed ideas, ultimately leading him to the realization that he wanted to build something of his own. This pivotal moment set the stage for his future endeavors, demonstrating that sometimes, the path we think we should take can lead us to unexpected and fulfilling destinations.

T2: Lessons taken Casper to Slingshot

Neil’s experience with Casper, a direct-to-consumer mattress company, provided him with invaluable lessons that he now applies to Slingshot, a mental health startup. At Casper, Neil learned the importance of storytelling and branding in building a successful business. He emphasized that early-stage fundraising is often about narrative, while later stages focus on metrics and financial health.

One of the most significant takeaways from his time at Casper was the need to create a product that resonates with consumers on a deeper level. Neil’s vision for Slingshot is to develop a foundational model for psychology that meets individuals where they are, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. He articulated the importance of understanding the unique journeys of individuals, much like how therapists build relationships with their clients.

Neil’s approach with Slingshot is to learn from human interactions and create a model that fosters genuine connections. He believes that the future of mental health care lies in leveraging insights from human therapy data and focusing on personalized experiences. This shift from a traditional model to one that prioritizes individual needs is a direct reflection of the lessons he learned at Casper, where building a brand that resonates with consumers was key to their success.

T3: Future of AI as it Enters Our Minds, Relationships and Emotional Well-being

As Neil delves into the world of AI and mental health, he highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions to address the growing mental health crisis. With a shortage of mental health professionals and increasing demand for support, AI has the potential to bridge the gap. Neil believes that AI can help individuals navigate their emotions and relationships more effectively, providing personalized support that traditional methods may lack.

However, he also acknowledges the challenges that come with integrating AI into mental health care. The architecture of existing AI models often leads to overly simplistic responses that may not address the complexities of human emotions. Neil’s approach with Slingshot is to learn from human therapy data and create a model that fosters genuine connections, pushing users to explore their feelings and experiences in a meaningful way.

Neil’s vision for Slingshot is not just about providing a digital solution; it’s about creating a new paradigm for mental health care that is accessible, personalized, and effective. He recognizes that as AI continues to evolve, it holds the promise of transforming our understanding of emotional well-being and enhancing our relationships with ourselves and others.

In conclusion, Neil’s journey from medical school to entrepreneurship exemplifies the power of adaptability and innovation. By applying the lessons learned from Casper to his work with Slingshot, he is poised to make a significant impact on the future of mental health care. As AI continues to evolve, it holds the promise of transforming our understanding of emotional well-being and enhancing our relationships with ourselves and others. The future is bright, and with leaders like Neil at the helm, we can look forward to a more compassionate and connected world.

Special thanks to our Season 12 sponsors, Perkins Coie and Mercury, who we are thrilled to partner with for a third consecutive season.

Mercury is the fintech ambitious companies use for banking* and all their financial workflows. With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions and ensure that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities. That’s why over 200K startups choose Mercury to confidently run all their financial operations with the precision, control, and focus they need to operate at their best.

​*Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC.

Perkins Coie is a leading full-service, international law firm known for providing high-value, strategic solutions for startups and investors. Lawyers in Perkins Coie’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice support the most innovative entrepreneurs and investors in fast-moving and high-growth sectors across the country, addressing the myriad legal needs that arise when fundraising and scaling their businesses. The firm’s tailored legal services are informed by an understanding of each client’s discrete needs.