Spotlight Interview: Simone Sexton, Founder & CEO of Sleep Spark, Inc.

My name is Simone Sexton, and I am the Founder & CEO of Sleep Spark, Inc. With 25 years of entrepreneurial and clinical experience as a mental health therapist, I have always been deeply committed to improving mental well-being. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and was the previous owner and Clinical Director of a private practice with a team of therapists for 10 years.

When I first heard about the AI for Good Institute, we had completed our pre-launch and testing of the MVP for Sleep Spark and realized we needed to expand our platform with AI. As a founder, I wanted to learn how to integrate generative AI into our platform in a way that remained ethical and human-centered. The opportunity to learn from AI experts, develop skills in AI implementation, and connect with other like-minded founders was exactly what I needed.

At the AI for Good Institute, I enjoyed engaging with the guest speakers and working collaboratively in group settings. Attending workshops on the Stanford campus was a highlight, and I felt confident that I could directly apply what I learned to enhance Sleep Spark.

During the program, I also had the opportunity to work on NeuroSight AI, a groundbreaking mobile app designed to support individuals in understanding and navigating neurodiversity. The app utilizes advanced AI technology to provide a strength-based, holistic approach to neurodiversity screening and support. Being part of this incredible project further reinforced my belief in AI’s power to drive meaningful change. Additionally, I had the chance to pitch Sleep Spark, which was an incredibly supportive and educational experience.

Since graduating from the AI for Good Institute, I’ve attended several pitch and networking events across Silicon Valley and the U.S. This exposure helped us add three angel investors to our cap table, and we are now in discussions with multiple venture capitalists. We’ve also brought two additional advisors on board and formed a partnership with a company that connects startups to global investors. As we continue to build out our new AI features, we are excited for our upcoming launch later this year.

The mission of Sleep Spark is to increase wellness worldwide by providing a healthy blueprint for intimacy and connection. We are focused on using AI ethically to enhance mental well-being across the globe. By developing tools that reduce stress and improve sleep quality, we aim to make these resources accessible in multiple languages and diverse communities. Our vision is becoming more achievable with the innovative power of AI, and we are grateful to be a startup during this time of tremendous technological growth.

If you want to learn more or join our mission, feel free to reach out to us at simone@sleep-spark.com.