## Slingshot AI Launches Therapy Chatbot "Ash," Secures Over $50 Million in New Funding **News Title:** Slingshot AI, the a16z-backed mental health startup, launches a therapy chatbot **Report Provider:** STAT **Author:** Mario Aguilar **Date:** Published July 22, 2025 **Key Metadata:** * **Topic:** Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Mental Health, Startups * **Source:** STAT * **URL:** https://www.statnews.com/2025/07/22/slingshot-new-investors-generative-ai-mental-health-therapy-chatbot-called-ash/ * **Paywall:** Yes (STAT+ Exclusive) --- ### Executive Summary Slingshot AI, a startup with the ambitious goal of building "the world’s first foundation model for psychology," has officially launched its core product: a therapy chatbot named **Ash**. Previously in beta with approximately **50,000 users**, Ash is now available to the public. To support its launch and growth, Slingshot AI has secured over **$50 million** in new funding, bringing its total financing to **$93 million**. The company, founded about 18 months ago by AI engineer Daniel Cahn and Casper co-founder Neil Parikh, is backed by Andreessen Horowitz and has now attracted new investors Radical Ventures and Forerunner Ventures. Slingshot AI claims Ash is distinct due to its training model, which is based on real therapeutic conversations. --- ### Critical Information * **Product Launch:** Slingshot AI has officially launched its therapy chatbot, **Ash**. * **Beta Usage:** Ash has been used by approximately **50,000 beta users** prior to its public release. * **New Funding:** The company has raised over **$50 million** in a new funding round. * **Total Financing:** This brings Slingshot AI's total financing to **$93 million**. * **Lead Investors:** The new funding round was led by **Radical Ventures** and **Forerunner Ventures**. * **Previous Backing:** The company was previously backed by **Andreessen Horowitz**. * **Company Foundation:** Slingshot AI was founded approximately **18 months ago**. * **Founders:** CEO **Daniel Cahn** (AI engineer) and **Neil Parikh** (co-founder of Casper). * **Product Differentiation:** Slingshot AI asserts that Ash is unique because its training model is derived from **real therapeutic conversations**. * **Mission:** Slingshot AI's stated mission is to build "the world’s first foundation model for psychology." --- ### Context and Interpretation The launch of Ash by Slingshot AI signifies a significant development in the application of artificial intelligence within the mental health sector. The company's mission to create a "foundation model for psychology" suggests an intent to develop a highly sophisticated AI capable of understanding and interacting with human psychology at a deep level. The substantial funding of **$93 million** indicates strong investor confidence in Slingshot AI's vision and technology. The involvement of prominent venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Radical Ventures, and Forerunner Ventures highlights the perceived potential of AI-driven mental health solutions. The key differentiator highlighted by Slingshot AI – training on "real therapeutic conversations" – is crucial. This approach aims to imbue the chatbot with a more authentic and effective therapeutic capability compared to models trained on more general data. However, the use of real therapeutic conversations also raises potential ethical and privacy considerations, which are not detailed in this excerpt but are often a point of discussion in the development of AI in healthcare. The article is an exclusive for STAT+ subscribers, suggesting that the full report may contain more in-depth analysis of the technology, business challenges, and policy implications, as is the focus of technology coverage by Mario Aguilar.
Slingshot AI, the a16z-backed mental health startup, launches a therapy chatbot
Read original at STAT →Mario Aguilar covers technology in health care, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, wearable devices, telehealth, and digital therapeutics. His stories explore how tech is changing the practice of health care and the business and policy challenges to realizing tech’s promise. He’s also the co-author of the free, twice weekly STAT Health Tech newsletter.
You can reach Mario on Signal at mariojoze.13.Earlier this year, Andreessen Horowitz announced it was backing a company called Slingshot AI with the provocative mission to build “the world’s first foundation model for psychology.” But Slingshot’s otherwise been very quiet. Today, the company is officially revealing its core product, a therapy chatbot, and a fresh tranche of funding.
Slingshot’s chatbot, called Ash, has been hiding in plain sight. Some 50,000 beta users have tried it, and it’s already been featured in a story in a major magazine. But now it’s available for all to use, and to support the launch and growth, Slingshot has raised over $50 million more led by new investors Radical Ventures and Forerunner Ventures, bringing its total financing to $93 million.
The company was founded about 18 months ago by CEO Daniel Cahn, an AI engineer, and Neil Parikh, who is best known for his mattress company, Casper.STAT+ Exclusive StoryAlready have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribersUnlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+.
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