The path to innovation often takes unexpected turns. Consider Joseph Katimbo S., the Founder and CEO of Serene Mind. His story is a compelling example. Originally trained as an aerospace engineer, Joseph has now dedicated his considerable talents to health technology.
Reflecting on his background, Joseph explains, “My background lies in aerospace engineering, where I developed a deep appreciation for systems thinking, innovation, and solving complex problems through precision and structure.” While studying and working in this field, he realized that many of the principles he applied in engineering could address pressing issues beyond aerospace—particularly in healthcare.
“Coming from an African background and having witnessed firsthand the gaps in mental health support, I was driven to act,” he says. This conviction led him to found Serene Mind, a platform focused on creating accessible, scalable mental health solutions tailored for underserved populations across the continent.
The Spark of Innovation: Joseph’s Journey to Serene Mind
The beginning of Serene Mind is also deeply intertwined with Joseph’s own experiences. During his high school years, he faced anxiety. His attempts to find suitable mental health support revealed significant gaps in the available options. Existing mobile applications did not feel relevant to his culture. Therapy was too expensive. Talking to the school counselor felt unsafe due to privacy concerns. “So, I turned to sports—swimming and home workouts became my outlet. That helped me build mental resilience, but the need for accessible mental health care never left my mind,” Joseph remembers.
When Joseph moved to the UK for university and the COVID-19 lockdowns began, he noticed that people close to him were struggling. This further emphasized the importance of mental well-being. “What struck me was the difference in how seriously mental health is treated in first-world countries—through infrastructure, policy, and cultural acceptance,” Joseph explains.
As an engineer, Joseph’s mind naturally sought solutions. His initial idea involved creating an app for therapy directly for consumers. However, as he engaged with therapists, he recognized they too faced limitations, such as difficulty accessing clients and high startup costs.
Joseph also understood that the widespread stigma surrounding mental health presented a major obstacle. This understanding led to a smart change in direction: a mental health awareness campaign on X (formerly Twitter).
“That led to launching a mental health awareness campaign on X (formerly Twitter), where we hosted Spaces for people to share personal experiences and have specialists respond live,” Joseph recalls. These conversations gained traction, and more people started reaching out for help.
Serene Mind: A Digital Mental Health Hub for Specialists & Individuals
That demand made the case for a dedicated platform even stronger. Serene Mind was created to solve both sides of the problem. “For specialists, Serene Mind is like your digital office—giving you everything you need to manage your practice efficiently, all in one place,” Joseph elaborates.
“You set your own hours, work from wherever you are, and connect with clients without the limits of geography. Plus, since sessions happen virtually, clients who might hesitate to walk into a therapy room because of stigma feel safer reaching out. It is therapy on your terms; with the tools to help you stay organized and focused on what matters most—your clients.”
For individuals seeking support, Serene Mind offers access to a growing network of over 50 culturally aware and affordable mental health professionals. Services are available in English and nearly 15 widely spoken local languages such as Luganda, Runyankore, Rukiga, Lusoga, Runyoro, Rutooro, Acholi, Langi, Ateso, Lugbara, and more, including regional languages like Kiswahili and Arabic—all accessible from the convenience of a phone or laptop.
All mental health professionals on Serene Mind go through a thorough vetting process before they are accepted onto the platform. The company is also developing a system to ensure ongoing quality. This system includes regular performance reviews, feedback from users, and optional continuing education courses to maintain a high standard of care as the platform grows.
Serene Mind generates revenue through a commission-based system, taking a percentage from each paid therapy session conducted on it. This approach ensures that therapists maintain control over their pricing while allowing the platform to sustainably manage its operations, invest in technology, and continue expanding access to mental health services across Africa.
Empowering Minds: Serene Mind’s Tech-Driven Approach
Serene Mind uses the power of technology to empower both clients and mental health professionals. As an organization dedicated to improving mental health, Serene Mind focuses on key sectors where support is most needed. They tailor their programs to address the specific challenges faced in each sector, from educational institutions to corporate workplaces.
In Schools & Universities, where rising levels of student stress, anxiety, and depression often strain limited on-campus resources, Serene Mind implements in-school student wellness programs. These programs include regular wellness workshops, on-site counseling sessions or confidential tele-counseling through their platform, and training for teachers to recognize and respond to students’ mental health needs.
For Funeral Homes, the company partners to provide grief support as an after-service offering. After the ceremony, families are seamlessly connected with grief counseling programs such as support groups, bereavement workshops, or one-on-one therapy.
Recognizing the role of Insurance Companies, Serene Mind forms partnerships with medical institutions to reduce outpatient mental health costs and travel time for patients. By integrating their services with insurers and local healthcare providers, they make it easier and more affordable for individuals to attend therapy sessions or psychiatric consultations early on.
In the crucial work of NGOs & Humanitarian Organizations, Serene Mind collaborates on mental health awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives. They design culturally sensitive programs to educate communities about mental health, break down stigma, and encourage individuals to seek support when needed. They also provide training and resources for NGO staff and volunteers.
Furthermore, in the fast-paced world of Startups & Fast-Growth Companies, Serene Mind delivers employee wellness initiatives tailored to their needs. They offer flexible counseling options and interactive workshops on stress management, resilience, and work-life balance.
Data-Driven Insights for Better Outcomes
Serene Mind uses data science and predictive models to improve results for individuals seeking mental wellness support. “As we continue to grow and onboard more mental health specialists across the continent, we are also refining our use of data science to personalize and improve care delivery at scale,” Joseph explains.
The platform’s technology analyzes non-identifiable and confidential data. This includes patterns of behavior, how often users make appointments, how engaged they are, and their self-reported assessments. With this information, the technology can suggest personalized interventions, spot early warning signs, and help specialists improve their care strategies.
“By using models, we can help assess risk levels for issues like burnout, depression, or relapse, allowing for earlier, proactive support before a crisis occurs,” he adds. These early insights have already led to higher client engagement and fewer clients dropping out.
Moreover, to maintain user trust and ensure ethical data management, all data used for insights and platform improvements is fully anonymized and handled according to global privacy and confidentiality standards.
Strategic Alliances: Expanding Serene Mind’s Reach
Joseph’s strategic approach to partnerships is evident in Serene Mind’s collaboration with Safe Places Rehabilitation Centre.
“We are proud to partner with Safe Places Rehabilitation Centre, a leading private mental health treatment provider operating two centers in Kampala and Bujjuko (Uganda) with a combined inpatient capacity of 100,” Joseph states.
This collaboration significantly extends the company’s reach and capabilities in supporting clients by providing extended access to Safe Places’ inpatient facilities when intensive or specialized care is needed. With two locations, including one outside the city center, individuals find quality care closer to home. Furthermore, through coordinated care plans, clients receive continuous support, starting with initial consultations at Serene Mind, proceeding to inpatient treatment at Safe Places, and returning for outpatient follow-ups.
This partnership also creates more cost-effective care options for clients through shared resources and streamlined referrals. Looking ahead, Serene Mind is actively working on further collaborations to broaden its impact.
Witnessing the Power of Serene Mind
As the Founder & CEO of Serene Mind, Joseph is deeply involved in shaping the company’s vision and strategy, building strategic partnerships, refining the product, and supporting his team.
“One of my proudest moments has been witnessing the ripple effect of our work—especially when we began receiving referrals from former clients,” Joseph shares. “That level of trust and personal advocacy is a testament to the quality of care our platform enables.”
Another significant moment for him was hearing from individuals who attended their mental health awareness events on X (formerly Twitter).“Many shared how the discussions gave them clarity on conditions they or their loved ones were facing—and offered accessible ways to seek help,” he recounts.
“Moments like these affirm why Serene Mind exists—to create accessible, culturally relevant support systems that meet people where they are, both emotionally and geographically.”
Growing Momentum across the Continent
Under Joseph’s leadership, Serene Mind, which launched in 2021 as Ataraxis Co., has achieved significant milestones. The therapist network has expanded from 12 specialists at the time of launch to over 50 licensed mental health professionals. This growth has increased their therapy capacity from 720 to over 3,000 available session hours. They have also facilitated a rising number of individual and group therapy sessions to provide support for a variety of issues.
By focusing on urban areas like Kampala, their platform aims to break down barriers to care. They have launched a transit marketing campaign on 14-seater matatus and established a crisis call center. In addition, Serene Mind has reached over 10,000 individuals through awareness campaigns and hosts weekly X (Twitter) Spaces as well as voice sessions on TikTok.
“Together, these initiatives are helping to build a more open and accessible mental health culture—starting in Uganda, with growing momentum across the continent,” Joseph proudly states.
Navigating the Terrain: Overcoming Challenges in the Health Tech Landscape
Joseph has turned his experience with Serene Mind into a valuable journey of growth and learning. One of the biggest challenges he faced was finding product-market fit.
As he explains, “Building a platform for mental health care requires more than just technical solutions; it demands a deep sensitivity to human experience. We went through countless iterations, and it took long, often difficult conversations with mental health specialists to understand how to shape the platform around their realities, balancing clinical integrity with simplicity and usability.”
Coming from an engineering background, Joseph initially approached this as a problem-solving exercise. However, he quickly realized that mental healthcare is far more nuanced. He had to adapt his mindset “to shift from purely technical efficiency to a more empathetic, human-centered design approach, where the priority is not just what works, but what feels safe, personal, and empowering to both the specialist and the client.”
Another major challenge has been translating fragmented or underreported industry data into actionable insights. “There is still a lot of missing or unstructured information when it comes to mental health trends across Africa, which makes building scalable, evidence-based solutions even more challenging,” Joseph notes. To tackle this, they have had to rely on grassroots feedback, community-led learning, and continuous testing.
And of course, limited funding has been a consistent hurdle. “But it has also taught us to be incredibly resourceful—to do more with less, stay focused, and build with purpose,” Joseph reflects.
This pressure has shaped the Serene Mind team into a more resilient, mission-driven group committed to solving real problems, not just building features for the sake of it. Each of these challenges has been a turning point, pushing them closer to a solution that is not only technically sound but truly meaningful for the people they serve.
Innovations on the Horizon
Joseph’s mission is to elevate Serene Mind beyond just being a platform for therapy. “Yes—Serene Mind is moving with intention toward becoming more than just a platform for therapy; we are designing a full mental wellness journey that walks with each user through different stages of life,” he explains.
They are currently focusing on enhancing their user experience to ensure that every person who comes to Serene Mind feels supported, understood, and guided—not just in moments of crisis but throughout their emotional growth. This means building and refining services tailored to specific life transitions and challenges, such as:
- Postpartum support for new mothers navigating the emotional complexities after childbirth
- Couples therapy to strengthen relationships and improve communication
- Teen and young adult-focused services, especially during the turbulent transition from adolescence to adulthood
- Support for pre-adolescents, who may be dealing with anxiety, trauma, or identity issues early in life
- Grief therapy is for those who have lost a loved one and need a safe place to mourn, heal, and eventually find a serene mind.
“By integrating Serene Mind across these touch points—within families, schools, communities, and even within healthcare and corporate structures—we aim to create a mental health ecosystem that is accessible, contextual, and personal,” Joseph envisions.
Looking ahead, they are also investing in AI-driven support tools, predictive mental health models, and strong cybersecurity measures to ensure their users feel both emotionally and digitally safe as they scale.
Finding Balance: Joseph’s Approach to Leadership and Life
Joseph approaches the demands of leading a rapidly growing health tech company with a focus on intentional time management and delegation. He believes that “achieving balance as a founder is not always about doing less—it is about learning how to manage your time with clarity and intention.”
One of the most valuable lessons he has learned is the importance of scheduling his time effectively. He now structures his week to focus on the big-picture responsibilities of “working on the business”—painting the vision, nurturing strategic partnerships, and driving innovation.
At the same time, he has learned to “delegate operational tasks—the ‘working in the business’ functions—to our capable team members and trusted partner organizations.” This shift not only empowers his team but also ensures agility and focus across all aspects of Serene Mind.
Outside of work, Joseph intentionally carves out time for things that ground and energize him—engineering technology, fast bikes, adrenaline adventures, and deep-dive reading into biographies and history. These hobbies help him recharge and often give him fresh perspectives that he brings back into the business. For Joseph, “balance is not about doing everything—it is about doing the right things with the right focus, at the right time.”
Call to Action: Inspiring Future Leaders
Joseph Katimbo’s leadership philosophy, centered on vision, resourcefulness, and action, serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders. As he puts it, “Leadership is about VISION, RESOURCEFULNESS and ACTION.”
He emphasizes a crucial point: “One thing I have learned is that systems alone do not solve problems—people do.” His own journey from aerospace engineering to health tech underscores the potential to apply diverse skills to address critical societal needs.
His message is clear: “If you are building something that truly serves people, you will always find support along the way.” He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders to take the leap and start where they are, with the resources they have. As Joseph believes, ultimately, “people are the key to solving complex problems.”
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Also Read: Pioneering Innovators in Aerospace & Health Tech: Top Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2025
