Publications
Publications
- August 2024
- HBS Case Collection
Scaling Seven Starling
By: Ryan W. Buell and Carin-Isabel Knoop
Abstract
Seven Starling, a maternal mental health startup, is scaling its digital clinic model. Seven Starling addresses perinatal mental health challenges by providing licensed therapists, peer support, and medication to mothers across five states, with a hybrid care model that combines group and individual therapy. With maternal mental health conditions being the leading cause of maternal mortality and affecting over 20% of women during pregnancy and postpartum, Seven Starling aims to reduce stigma and improve access to care.
As the company prepares for its next growth phase, co-founders need to find the balance between individual and group therapy, considering both patient outcomes and operational scalability. The case explores the effectiveness of group therapy in addressing mental health, the logistical challenges of scaling in a constrained labor market, and the potential to reshape the care model to better meet patient needs while maintaining profitability. Through this analysis, the case offers insights into the complexities of scaling a healthcare startup, particularly in the sensitive area of perinatal mental health.
As the company prepares for its next growth phase, co-founders need to find the balance between individual and group therapy, considering both patient outcomes and operational scalability. The case explores the effectiveness of group therapy in addressing mental health, the logistical challenges of scaling in a constrained labor market, and the potential to reshape the care model to better meet patient needs while maintaining profitability. Through this analysis, the case offers insights into the complexities of scaling a healthcare startup, particularly in the sensitive area of perinatal mental health.
Keywords
Business Model; Business Startups; Health Care and Treatment; Growth and Development Strategy; Mission and Purpose; Health Industry
Citation
Buell, Ryan W., and Carin-Isabel Knoop. "Scaling Seven Starling." Harvard Business School Case 625-046, August 2024.