Where are they now: MindRight

A year ago, the first ever Pitches with Purpose competition brought together 8 companies from the 2018 AT&T Aspire Accelerator class. They each had 3-minutes to pitch education solutions for student success.

In front of a packed audience of employees and a panel of senior AT&T executives, MindRight – an education startup based in Newark, New Jersey – walked away with a prize of $25,000 for the winning pitch. MindRight offers personalized, live coaching through text messages for teens who want to talk – judgment free.

As we prepare for this year's Pitches with Purpose, happening tomorrow with the 2019 AT&T Aspire Accelerator class, we checked in with MindRight to see what they’re up to now.

Last year when Ashley Edwards heard the words, “And the winner is….MindRight,” she was ecstatic. “It was a pleasant surprise to hear our name called,” said Ashley, Founder & CEO of MindRight. “It was incredibly humbling to share our story with AT&T employees and receive their support.” 

After the competition, Ashley reflected on how MindRight can support even more communities in need. Enter: MindRight Health; a social enterprise dedicated to advancing health equity by making mental healthcare accessible and inclusive. MindRight launched this extension of their mission this June.

And Ashley is not slowing down. She’s been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 30 innovators of the next century. And she was selected as an inaugural Global Board Member for the Forbes 30 Under 30 community. She also won the Disruptor Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

“This past year has been great,” Ashley said. “Our experience with AT&T exposed us to the benefits of working with mission-aligned corporations. It was amazing to have the support of AT&T and the AT&T Aspire Accelerator.”

Stay tuned to find out who will win this year’s Pitches with Purpose.