Stand Together

Our portfolio companies — Aura Health, JusticeText, and Manifest — are proof that AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency; it’s a driver of human empowerment. ?? Aura Health and its founders, Steve Lee and Daniel Lee, are making mental wellness more accessible by using AI to deliver personalized support to reduce stress and improve wellbeing, breaking down barriers to care for millions of people. ?? JusticeText and its founders, Devshi Mehrotra and Leslie Jones-Dove, are leveraging AI to level the playing field in the criminal justice system, giving public defenders the tools and time they need to provide fairer, more effective representation. ?? Manifest and its founder, Amy Wu, are gamifying mental health for Gen Z, turning daily wellness practices into engaging challenges – helping young people develop emotional resilience and build daily wellness habits. AI is often met with skepticism, especially when it comes to concerns about stifling innovation or hindering human progress. But at Stand Together Ventures Lab, we’re seeing firsthand how AI can be a catalyst for positive change when applied thoughtfully. Explore how we’re partnering with founders who are leading the way in AI for good: https://lnkd.in/eSie3iv5.

America’s credit score system is a paradox: you have to already have good credit to be able to build it. This former bank regulator turned FinTech CEO has a plan to change that, so the 150 million Americans with poor credit have a fair shot at the American dream:

AI is stepping in where health care falls short, helping 160 million Americans in mental health shortage areas. From delivering personalized wellness support to connecting users with therapists, AI is democratizing care for millions.

Finding the right candidates is more about skills than degrees. Northeastern’s latest report suggests companies should focus on microcredentials to meet hiring needs, encouraging growth and providing clear pathways for job-seekers to succeed.

We are now just days from the Human Potential Summit. ? The goal of this event is to transform the future of work based on individual potential.? ? No one can do this alone. It requires everyone's help—employers, educators, solution providers, investors, foundations, and policymakers. That’s why we are gathering in Denver. ? On the last day of the summit, Stand Together will host a lunch dedicated to establishing a network of employers willing to collaborate, provide feedback, and adopt new talent solutions. ? If you are an employer and you will be at the Human Potential Summit, I invite you to join this gathering and conversation. It will be a chance to exchange ideas and build on the momentum from the summit. ? If you can’t be at the summit but you are interested in being a part of the conversation, I encourage you to reach out directly. We need your ideas and input. ? I can’t wait for next week and the transformation that comes from it. ? #HumanPotentialSummit

This new approach to hiring is revolutionizing the way we think about talent — and it holds the key to long-term economic mobility.

Saprea's retreat empowers survivors of childhood sexual abuse by providing a safe space to heal, connect, and explore different tools for recovery.

We’re excited to share what we’ll be doing at TEDAI San Francisco 2024! This year, we’re hosting a panel focused on AI policy to dive into the critical role of policy in shaping the future of AI, tackling key issues such as regulatory trends, ethical responsibility, and the challenges of propelling innovation. At Stand Together Ventures Lab, the future of AI isn’t just about advancing technology. It’s about using AI to solve society’s toughest challenges in health care, education, the economy, and the future of work. We support our visionary founders with more resources, connections, and mentorship, helping turn bold ideas into transformative solutions. If you’re passionate about creating a policy environment that allows AI to flourish responsibly and for the greater good, let’s connect at TEDAI! #STVLatTEDAI #TEDAI2024 #AI4Good

More than four years ago, John Vance sat in his car at 3 a.m. in an office parking lot. It was the middle of the pandemic, and his anxiety was spiraling out of control. ???? “I had a meth pipe and a big rock of meth. That's all I had,” he said. “I was freaking out. It was like everything was crumbling. I was living in my car. My wife and I were on the rocks, and I'm starting to process that I really screwed this up pretty bad.” His solution? Smoke the meth. “So I got my little torch, and I just killed this meth,” he said. “As soon as that hit, I felt even more anxious.” That’s when Vance realized the drugs weren't fixing anything. “It took me personally in a selfish way, to realize it wasn't making me feel good anymore.” Substance use disorder is different for every person experiencing it. Vance’s mother helped him choose to go into recovery, but he didn't initially embrace that choice as his own. “Basically, I could either continue to be homeless, or I could go to treatment,” he said. “I didn't want to go to treatment. I didn't really want to be homeless, either, so honestly, I wanted to die. But all right, I'll go to treatment. This sounds really stupid, but I'll go.” Vance joined Shepherd’s House in Lexington, Kentucky, a 12-18 month residential recovery program. He also got a job at DV8 Kitchen, an award-winning restaurant that exclusively hires people going through recovery. The two organizations gave him the structure and community he needed to break free of his addiction. Now he’s using his experience of turning his life around to help others. Since his recovery, Vance has worked as a prison counselor helping people in incarceration recover from substance use, showing them every day that life without drugs can be fulfilling and joyful. His own life serves as his best example. “They remind me of where I've been, how far I've come, and I show them I was there too, and they can do this, too...” Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eYXAjnN7

With 17.1 million Gen Z workers entering the workforce, companies have a chance to harness their unique strengths and capabilities. Employers can prioritize purpose and flexibility over traditional job structures to create a stronger, more innovative workforce.