Ellipsis Health: Transforming Mental Health with AI That Listens
Published: 2025-09-17 | Author: VisionariesNetwork Team
In a healthcare system strained by staffing shortages and a growing mental health crisis, one startup is championing a simple yet profound idea: listening can heal. Founded in 2017 in San Francisco, Ellipsis Health is pioneering a new approach to emotional well-being—measuring, monitoring, and managing it through the power of the human voice combined with advanced artificial intelligence.
At the core of Ellipsis Health’s vision is the conviction that mental health deserves the same measurable, scalable, and evidence-based rigor as physical health. To achieve this, the company built the world’s first “empathy engine”—a clinically validated AI platform that analyzes short, natural speech samples to detect signs of depression and anxiety.
By listening for subtle indicators in tone, cadence, pitch, and language, the platform provides what Ellipsis calls “the first vital sign for mental health.”
From Personal Story to Global Impact
Ellipsis Health was founded by Mainul Mondal, inspired by his experience caring for his chronically ill mother and recognizing how often emotional suffering goes unaddressed. Determined to change that, Mondal partnered with strategist Susan Solinsky and clinician Dr. Michael Aratow to build a company rooted in empathy, science, and scalable innovation.
Today, Ellipsis Health helps insurers, health systems, digital health platforms, and care management teams proactively identify emotional distress. Its solutions not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce the administrative burden on already overextended healthcare providers.
Sage: The Empathetic AI Voice Agent
The company’s flagship product, Sage, is an emotionally intelligent AI trained on millions of clinical conversations. More than a chatbot, Sage can autonomously handle tasks such as verifying insurance, conducting mental health screenings, and managing follow-ups—while simultaneously picking up on emotional cues in patients’ voices.
For instance, a patient refilling a prescription may unknowingly reveal early signs of depression. Sage can detect these subtle changes and flag them for human review or guide the patient toward timely support—often intervening before a crisis develops.
Clinically Validated and Ethically Designed
Unlike many digital health tools rushed to market, Ellipsis Health has prioritized scientific validation. A JMIR AI study conducted with Highmark Health found that its voice-based assessments were twice as accurate as traditional self-reports across ages 18 to 98. Additional pilots with Vanderbilt University, Mayo Clinic, and Mind Springs Health further demonstrated measurable improvements in screening and care coordination.
Equally important, Ellipsis has baked privacy and ethics into its foundation. The platform complies with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type II standards, with all data de-identified and securely stored. Clinical oversight ensures fairness, safety, and non-bias in its AI-driven assessments.
Scaling Human Compassion
One of Ellipsis Health’s most powerful contributions is its ability to scale empathy. By automating up to 60% of routine patient interactions, Sage serves as an always-available support system—freeing up clinicians to focus on more complex, high-value care.
Clients report notable gains: 6× faster patient enrollments, 4× ROI, improved treatment adherence, and reduced no-shows. In scenarios such as post-discharge follow-ups or behavioral health interventions, Sage significantly improves both efficiency and patient engagement.
Backed by Leading Investors
Ellipsis Health’s promise has attracted major industry support. In 2025, the company raised $45 million in a Series A-1 round led by CVS Health Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures. Previous investors include Marc Benioff, Greycroft, and SJF Ventures.
Strategic partnerships with Cigna, Augmedix, and Ceras Health are further expanding Sage’s reach across diverse care settings—from cancer support groups to chronic condition management.
The Future of Listening in Healthcare
Ellipsis Health envisions a world where every voice is heard and mental health is given the urgency it deserves. As it expands into new languages, geographies, and use cases, the company remains committed to humanizing healthcare through AI that listens with empathy.
Mainul Mondal, Founder & CEO, continues to champion this mission. A Rockefeller Fellow, World Economic Forum member, and award-winning painter, Mondal brings a rare blend of innovation and compassion to advancing accessible, tech-enabled healthcare for all.
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