Biography of Ankit Malhotra: Founder and CEO of heyy- Mental Health App- Entrepreneur
Biography of Ankit Malhotra:
Early Education and Aspirations
Ankit Malhotra's journey began at Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki
Vishwavidyalaya, where he earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and
Communication from 2002 to 2006. His passion for technology and innovation
paved the way for his future endeavors. Following his undergraduate studies, he
pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing at the Symbiosis
Centre for Management and Human Resource Development. This combination of
engineering and business education equipped him with a unique skill set that
would prove invaluable in his career.
The Corporate Ladder
After completing his education, Ankit embarked on a
corporate journey that would see him hold key positions at several prominent
companies. His career began at ITC Limited as an Assistant Brand Manager, where
he honed his skills in consumer activation. He then transitioned to Danone
Dairy as a Brand Manager, managing a significant P&L and driving product
innovations. This foundational experience helped him understand the nuances of
brand management and product development.
Rising in E-Commerce
Ankit’s career took a significant leap when he joined
Flipkart as Associate Director, leading the Laptop and Gaming categories. His
leadership contributed to substantial growth in the e-commerce sector. After a
successful stint at Flipkart, he moved to Lazada, where he served as Senior
Vice President and Regional Head of Consumer Electronics. Here, he was
responsible for managing a massive portfolio and achieving remarkable
year-on-year growth, further solidifying his expertise in e-commerce and
product management.
Founding a Startup
In 2020, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact,
Ankit founded heyy, a mental health app. His vision was to create a platform
that would provide essential mental health support to users, breaking down
barriers to access and fostering conversations about mental well-being.
Bootstrapping the startup, he worked tirelessly to develop the app,
incorporating a unique human-in-loop model that combined technology with human
support.
Achievements with heyy
Under Ankit's leadership, heyy rapidly gained traction. The
app helped over 200,000 users across India and the US and onboarded 8,000 B2B
users through partnerships with various organizations. With an impressive
rating of 4.7 stars based on more than 800 reviews, heyy was recognized as a
top mental health app in the Indian App Store. These accomplishments
highlighted Ankit's ability to lead and innovate in a challenging industry.
Building a Diverse Team
As the startup grew, Ankit expanded his team from a solo
founder to 31 full-time employees from diverse backgrounds, including
technology, research, and psychology. This collaborative environment fostered
creativity and innovation, allowing the company to develop effective mental
health solutions. He personally managed product functions, ensuring that the app
met the needs of its users.
Biography of Ankit Malhotra: Founder and CEO of heyy- Mental Health App- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/mental health support/Ankit Malhotra heyy
Innovative Care Solutions
The success of heyy was largely attributed to its innovative
care model, which combined human interaction with technology. The app featured
a Wellbeing Guide for 24/7 chat-based preventive care and Wellbeing Pathways
for hyper-personalized mini-therapy sessions. These unique offerings enhanced
user engagement and adoption, making mental health support more accessible.
Validation and Recognition
Ankit sought to validate heyy’s care model through
partnerships with institutions like Christ University in India. The positive
feedback received from these collaborations further solidified the app's
reputation as a reliable mental health resource. Ankit's commitment to
improving mental health awareness and care was evident in the way he approached
partnerships and collaborations.
Transitioning to Coaching
Despite the eventual operational challenges faced by heyy,
Ankit's passion for helping others did not wane. In June 2024, he transitioned
into a new role as a life coach, focusing on empowering individuals and teams
to overcome mental and emotional barriers that hinder their potential. His
coaching approach emphasizes active listening and creating a supportive
environment, allowing clients to feel heard and understood.
Coaching Philosophy
Ankit’s coaching philosophy is built around addressing
limiting beliefs and unconscious biases that often hold people back. He
customizes his coaching strategies to meet the unique challenges faced by
individuals and teams. By developing actionable plans, Ankit helps his clients
achieve sustainable growth and personal fulfillment, integrating insights from
psychology and leadership development.
Future Aspirations
As an aspiring ICF-certified coach, Ankit is committed to
making a positive impact on people's lives through his coaching practice. He
continues to expand his knowledge and skills while helping clients unlock their
potential. His journey reflects a dedication to personal and professional
development, demonstrating that fulfillment at work is attainable.
A Legacy of Impact
Through his diverse experiences in corporate leadership,
entrepreneurship, and coaching, Ankit Malhotra has established himself as a
significant contributor to the fields of mental health and personal
development. His journey serves as an inspiration to those seeking to make
meaningful changes in their lives and careers, proving that with dedication and
the right support, it is possible to overcome barriers and achieve lasting
fulfillment.
Timeline of Ankit Malhotra's Journey
2002-2006: Earns a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics
and Communication from Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya.
2006-2008: Completes an MBA in Marketing at the Symbiosis
Centre for Management and Human Resource Development.
2008: Begins career at ITC Limited as an Assistant Brand
Manager, focusing on consumer activation.
2010: Joins Danone Dairy as a Brand Manager, managing
P&L and driving product innovations.
2012: Takes a significant role at Flipkart as Associate
Director, leading the Laptop and Gaming categories.
2015: Moves to Lazada as Senior Vice President and Regional
Head of Consumer Electronics, achieving remarkable growth in the portfolio.
2020: Founds heyy, a mental health app aimed at providing
essential mental health support.
2020-2024: Grows heyy to support over 200,000 users and
onboard 8,000 B2B users, receiving a 4.7-star rating in the Indian App Store.
2024: Transitions to a life coach, empowering individuals to
overcome mental and emotional barriers.
2024: Aspires to become an ICF-certified coach, dedicated to
personal and professional development.
