Mental health startup StartTalking announces partnership with QuikTrip
October 14, 2016 | Meghan LeVota
Editor’s note: In response to readers’ desire for quick-hitting stories, Startland News is launching a new segment, “News Flash,” to enable more coverage. Let us know what you think!
Lenexa-based StartTalking has announced a pilot partnership with QuikTrip that will make its service available to all 3,000 QuikTrip employees in the Kansas City area.
The mental health startup will provide its telehealth and online therapy services via QuikTrip’s employee assistance program, confirming the firm’s value, said founder Mark Nolte.
“We’re still very much in startup mode, but this validated our business model and proved that it can be done,” Nolte said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn a lot in the pilot about what works, what doesn’t and what protocols to take in the future.”
Launched in 2014, StartTalking was inspired by Nolte’s own struggle with depression. The software provides immediate online counseling and therapeutic sessions through online messaging and encrypted video. His software is designed to catch depression and anxiety in its early stages, before things get critical.
A Liberty-based behavioral therapist from Clinical Counseling Associates Inc. will be providing the online therapy to QuikTrip employees. The therapist and Quiktrip employees will be able to access the video platform on their smartphone or laptop with StartTalking’s technology. Nolte said that QuikTrip was interested in his firm services to help cut down on travel and absentee costs.
A medical device salesman of more than 20 years, Nolte said the market for telehealth psychotherapy is around $2 trillion, and that Americans spend about $24 billion on psychotherapy.
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
OHUB x KCUP set to debut ‘18th & Vine Summer Trep Series’ for black, Latinx startup builders
The first spoke of Opportunity Hub’s arrival in Kansas City debuts July 19 with a new monthly event series dedicated to business builders from black and Latinx communities. “This is a celebration of unity, creating a healthier ecosystem within Kansas City, Missouri,” said Jamilah Jones, a business development officer at the Economic Development Corporation of…
Minneapolis angel investment firm expanding to KC, names McCoolidge managing partner
A former leader of the Mid-America Angels fund could be the secret to establishing Minneapolis-based Sofia Fund as a new investment resource for women-led companies within Kansas City, said Cathy Connett. “The Midwest continues to be a hub of startup activity,’ said Connett, Sofia Fund CEO. “Extending our footprint to Kansas City gives us access…
Pure Pitch Rally returning in October with spot-cash funding; applications open now
The land sharks are already hungry for Kansas City’s top tech talent, said Karen Fenaroli, announcing the planned return of the Pure Pitch Rally this fall. “Not only does Pure Pitch Rally provide startups with the opportunity to earn much-needed cash funding, it gives local entrepreneurs direct access to the resources and people in our…
Travois earns rare B-Corp status for longtime work to ‘fill the gaps’ caused by 200 years of broken promises to Indian Country
Obtaining one of the world’s top scores as a Certified B Corporation is just the beginning for Kansas City-cultivated Travois. “Part of why we are different is because [the product] we have and offer is really impactful,” Elizabeth Glynn, CEO, said in explanation of how Travois — a company that promotes housing and economic development…