Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 10, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 10, 2025 - Dec 5, 2025
Date Accepted: Feb 23, 2026
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Building a Science-Driven Business: How NIH Funding Enabled an Evidence-Based Approach to Maternal Mental Health Innovation
ABSTRACT
The digital mental health (DMH) industry has grown drastically over the last decade, yet many DMH products have failed to demonstrate meaningful clinical outcomes, in large part due to a lack of scientific evidence. This Viewpoint paper highlights an example of how early-stage DMH companies can prioritize science as a strategic advantage. We discuss Moment for Parents, an AI-driven maternal mental health app built entirely with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. We illustrate the advantages and challenges of building a science-backed product with federal funding. Benefits include credible evidence generation, independence in product development, and enhanced market differentiation. We also discuss the challenges of navigating the SBIR ecosystem, including grant writing and administrative demands, and aligning business objectives with federal research priorities. By showcasing both the promise and complexity of SBIR funding, this Viewpoint paper offers actionable insights for founders and CEOs who aim to prioritize science in the DMH space.
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Copyright
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