Cognera Health, a mental-health company based in Newton in Dale County, won $100,000 in Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 1 2025 Life Sciences track.
The company, founded by Jupudi Vamsi Kalyan, Jaydeep Patel and John Budala, was one of three finalists. The others were Psigryph Corp. and Score Pharma, both based in Huntsville.
Each of the finalists delivered pitches to a committee with expertise in health sciences and commercialization.
Cognera is developing mental health assessment tools to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on care providers.
“Mental health care shouldn’t end when the session does,” Kalyan said. “With Cognera, we’re transforming disconnected therapy into continuous care for everyone who needs it — and Alabama Launchpad is helping us make it possible.”
Established in 2006, Alabama Launchpad has invested more than $6.4 million in more than 120 startups. It is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama in partnership with Innovate Alabama. This year, the competition debuted a track-based format, awarding money in three separate industry tracks.
“Our new track-based format allows us to provide more intentional and industry-specific mentorship that truly moves the needle,” said Estes Hughes, EDPA’s vice president of innovation and talent. “We’re not just investing in the ideas of those who win; we’re preparing and improving all competing companies for better chances of success.”
