Health-tech startup Orli has secured £60,000 in funding from Bethnal Green Ventures’ Tech for Good Programme to advance its innovative AI-powered platform aimed at improving mental health support for children and their families.
Founded by NHS A&E Doctor Mark Cox, Orli addresses the critical gap in children’s mental health services at a time when over a quarter of a million children in England remain on waiting lists for mental health support.
The equity investment will enable Orli to expand its development team, enhance user experience, grow its online parent community, and accelerate clinical validation through partnerships with UK healthcare providers.
“This funding is a pivotal milestone in Orli’s growth, and we are delighted to have the recognition and support of Bethnal Green Ventures,” said Mark Cox, Founder & CEO Orli.
“It’s obvious to anyone working in the NHS that more needs to be done to support the mental health of children in the UK. Working in A&E services in recent years I have seen the devastating effects of neglecting children’s mental health, and I wanted to do something to change that.”
Innovative Approach to Mental Wellness
Orli’s platform uses gamification and AI to create an interactive experience where children engage with an AI companion called “Orli.” This digital companion mirrors and externalises the child’s emotional journey, helping them develop emotional awareness and self-regulation skills through game-like exercises and challenges.
The technology integrates proven behavioral science, sensory tools such as haptics and breathing techniques, and progressive reward loops to maintain user engagement. The company plans to incorporate wearable technology in the future to better track user responsiveness and service effectiveness.
A complementary parent app provides real-time insights into children’s progress, tracks improvements, and offers at-home techniques to support their mental health journey.
“We’re excited to support Orli as part of BGV’s Spring 2025 Tech for Good programme, as they align with our investment focus—using technology to address pressing social problems with the potential to help millions of people,” Paul Miller, CEO at Bethnal Green Ventures commented.
“Mark has built a promising team and product around this mission to reduce inequalities in children’s mental health services. We look forward to working with the team as they scale.”