Female Founder Spotlight: In Conversation with Sonia Kaurah, Founder of Tala Thrive

Female Founder Spotlight: In Conversation with Sonia Kaurah

Meet Sonia Kaurah, a visionary entrepreneur bridging the gap in culturally informed mental health care. Her journey spans continents and industries, culminating in a platform addressing deeply personal and often overlooked needs. I, Gideon Stott, had the privilege of discussing Sonia’s vision, challenges, and the path she has carved toward success.

FC: Could you summarise your professional background?

Sonia:
“Absolutely! My journey’s been unconventional for a founder. I initially studied psychology and later nutrition—fields I was personally passionate about. Surprisingly, I found myself in the startup ecosystem, with a pivotal moment occurring when I moved to Sweden and entered venture capital.

It was surreal at first—almost everyone in VC came from business or finance, while I had psychology and nutrition degrees. But I worked hard, learning quickly on the job and from those around me. Running a startup space and connecting early-stage companies with investors gave me an insider’s view of VC mechanics, a knowledge base that would later prove invaluable.

I’ve lived in seven countries, moving between Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Sweden, and Copenhagen before settling in London. Each place taught me something new about cultural nuances in life and business. Once in London, the pieces finally aligned, and I was ready to create something meaningful in the mental health space.”

FC: What inspired you to start a platform for culturally informed mental health support?

Sonia:
“The idea stems from personal experiences. During therapy, I often felt misunderstood. One therapist suggested cutting ties with my parents, branding them ‘toxic.’ That advice missed the cultural context—Asian families don’t operate within Western notions of boundaries.

I realised many others with multicultural backgrounds felt similarly misunderstood. We exist in this in-between space—I identify as Australian but don’t feel fully Australian or Malaysian. Therapists often overlook these cultural complexities. I’ve also encountered therapists unfamiliar with race-related issues, expecting me to educate them while I paid for their service.

This platform was born out of necessity—a space where therapists understand cultural identity without requiring constant explanations. Therapy should be about being seen and heard, not about defending or educating.”

FC: Did you face specific challenges as a female founder or were they primarily race-based—or both?

Sonia:
“Both, layered together. As a solo female founder, I’ve faced invasive questions from investors—questions men rarely encounter. For example, I’ve been asked about family plans during pitches. Now I preemptively address such topics, jokingly saying, ‘We’re not even ready for a dog!’ It’s become part of my routine.

As a person of colour, there’s an added layer of bias. I’ve faced comments rooted in stereotypes or doubts about my capabilities. Navigating business requirements in a new country, like setting up in the UK, adds further challenges. Resilience grows from these experiences, but it’s exhausting.”

FC: What advice would you give young female founders facing similar challenges?

Sonia:
“Be prepared for these questions. If you’re a solo founder, anticipate them and address concerns upfront. It smooths investor conversations and answers unspoken doubts.

Focus on investors who align with your vision and understand your space. I sought out female and minority angel investors familiar with mental health, which made the process more rewarding. Building relationships with those who ‘get it’ is key.”

FC: How has FounderCatalyst supported your journey?

Sonia:
“FounderCatalyst has been a lifeline. Their community is incredible—there’s a WhatsApp group where you can ask anything. Fundraising as a solo founder can feel isolating, but this support network has been invaluable.

Sam and the team simplify the complexities of fundraising, especially in the UK with SEIS and EIS schemes. They make it all approachable, which has been a huge help.”

FC: Was there a moment when you realised this platform could fill a critical gap?

Sonia:
“Yes, several, but one stands out. Speaking to friends from multicultural backgrounds, I found we all had stories of therapists missing cultural nuances.

I also interviewed over 200 therapists and coaches, learning that traditional therapy often pushes people away due to a lack of understanding. People want to feel seen in therapy, not like they’re explaining themselves. This gap demanded action—creating a platform where cultural competence is at the forefront.”

FC: What exciting developments are coming up for your platform?

Sonia:
“We’re launching in Q1 2025, which is both thrilling and nerve-wracking! The website will go live, allowing sign-ups.

We’re exploring corporate pilot projects in employee well-being and expanding into Australia, where healthcare rebates make integration smoother.

On a smaller scale, we’re creating affirmation cards with culturally resonant phrases like, ‘I’m stronger than the slipper that hurt me.’ It’s a lighthearted nod to shared experiences that makes our platform more personal.”

Sonia Kaurah’s journey embodies resilience, a drive for meaningful change, and a commitment to addressing overlooked needs. Her platform for culturally informed mental health care is set to make a lasting impact, reminding us that understanding and connection are at the heart of true healing.

A huge thank you to Sonia for sharing her story as part of Female Founders Friday. We’re here to support her throughout her fundraising journey.

Check out the Tala Thrive LinkedIn page to learn more about her vision and impact.

Click here to let us help guide you on your own fundraising journey.

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst