Why Psychedelic Startups Hit a Wall? Ronan Levy on Field Trip’s Rise, Ketamine Clinics & What’s Next

The Psychedelic Accelerator: How Elephant Gate is Funding the Next Generation of Healing

In this exclusive interview, Pink Elephant’s Investment Director Natalia Fedulova sits down with Jason Najum to announce the launch of the Elephant Gate Accelerator. With a decade of experience in venture capital across the globe, Natalia discusses why Pink Elephant is focused on essential infrastructure needed to turn psychedelic medicine into a scalable reality.  #PsychedelicAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/psychedelicaccelerator] #MentalHealthInnovation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealthinnovation] #StartupFunding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupfunding] #HealthTech [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/healthtech] #PinkElephant [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pinkelephant] #venturecapital [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/venturecapital]  Note: this podcast was recorded in March 2026. In this conversation: — The $150K Opportunity: Why Pink Elephant is looking for 10 early-stage startups to join their new global acceleration program. — Infrastructure Over Hype: Why the industry’s survival depends on SaaS, marketing, and fintech tools, not just new drug compounds. — The 3-Year Floodgate: Why the upcoming FDA approvals mean startups must start building delivery systems right now. — The "Survival Fee": How Pink Elephant supports founders so they can drop everything and focus exclusively on scaling. — Building Global Synergy: Connecting founders from Australia, Europe, and the US to share insights and solve local regulatory hurdles. — The Perfect Pitch: What investors are actually looking for in the "Second Wave" of psychedelic medicine. https: [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbURnNHROaFF0TlozZWtUT1F5Y3VwUjIxYmRnUXxBQ3Jtc0trV0VZaTZvdWV6UExPejdHRzlQa3pxdWRpRzRNYkI0N0hEalFyLXQ2cVFyQ3lSb2MybXVuQy1GblplSm5jRWMzZ1ItMi1VZGZBdDFjTDdYSk5OUzIxS0h2bVVrN1VrTWlQN2p6dTd6QXRxSTdiSUJ6bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantgate.co%2F&v=jYMp1XJJ9ZE]//www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-fedulova/ https://www.elephantgate.co/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbURnNHROaFF0TlozZWtUT1F5Y3VwUjIxYmRnUXxBQ3Jtc0trV0VZaTZvdWV6UExPejdHRzlQa3pxdWRpRzRNYkI0N0hEalFyLXQ2cVFyQ3lSb2MybXVuQy1GblplSm5jRWMzZ1ItMi1VZGZBdDFjTDdYSk5OUzIxS0h2bVVrN1VrTWlQN2p6dTd6QXRxSTdiSUJ6bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantgate.co%2F&v=jYMp1XJJ9ZE] https://pink-elephant.co/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXlDZXkzVVQ5SGJCT2Q3bkcxaGUxbWdzZXE3UXxBQ3Jtc0tubkxwbXhyWXAyYnFveXJxNXJrcG5RNmp3Nk03X19INkpMdngydTJ0NnJWS2VIUm5vMlV2VnVvU2hCUkNaWXFMQjdvSXlNaGotODVfSGxZUmx5c2Z5RkgtcGR0d21MTXkyZ2lzWmpaUTVVenJmSzJVZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpink-elephant.co%2F&v=jYMp1XJJ9ZE] Like what you heard? Hit subscribe and follow us for more in-depth insights into the future of mental health. Stay tuned with our channels: LinkedIn:   / pink-elephant-fund [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazJsWGw3T25Kdjl2bGdXQnNNTTVsVlAyYzBFUXxBQ3Jtc0ttV1NFNE5GQ1FtZzBqdTVjOWZTbUVUX0p3OWNoaGV2eWdKaVVpQkdPQXQzVmJ3enZodVdPUTdXdlRrZUE2RExNTVFMalFJWkg5YVZLNHU1NTVWUzFaRFNSWXVxZTFHTjNnSERvTzFQRGxBdkJSNEt0aw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fpink-elephant-fund%2F&v=jYMp1XJJ9ZE] Twitter: https://x.com/PinkElephantHQ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUlKUmVlY2ZKaU1sU3BfbXBRc3NqN29qRWJrd3xBQ3Jtc0ttR0U1WFV6SFVoRHo4VXlidi1QWURtdm5nQzB0Qkl5WVM5bHQ5enczYjZTZU14dUZOb0wyLU1yVjBzRkNfbVpOM0dJNnZ5S0xFcDVmbHVpNS03NEZGNGw0akpHSFp3bVhDbjFYaURtYVdUSWdfZ0g5aw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FPinkElephantHQ&v=jYMp1XJJ9ZE] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving_Minds_Podcast The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant is a seri

Building the Future of BIOTECH, with Doug Drysdale, former CEO of Cybin (Helus Pharma)

In this exclusive interview, veteran biotech executive Doug Drysdale sits down with Jason Najum from Pink Elephant to discuss the strategy that steered Cybin through the 'biotech winter.' Although Doug stepped down as CEO in September 2025 and the company has since rebranded to Helus Pharma, his insights reveal the critical data-driven decisions that allowed the company to survive and evolve when dozens of competitors failed. #Cybin #HelusPharma #Biotech #DougDrysdale #CNS #MentalHealthInnovation #Pharma In this conversation, Doug covers: — Why he left a 35-year career in traditional pharma after seeing psychedelics deliver "10 times the effect size" of standard drugs. — The reality of the "hype cycle": How the industry went from 90 companies to just a handful of survivors. — Why "Me Too" drugs failed and why you can't just run a science project — you need a commercial product. — The debate on short-acting trips: Why the frequency of treatments matters way more than how long the session lasts. — His contrarian take on AI: Why computers can't design these drugs yet (and why human chemistry is still winning). — The next frontier: Treating Parkinson's, MS, and the rise of non-hallucinogenic "psychedelic light" supplements. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro  00:41 35 Years in the Game  01:55 The Data That Changed His Mind (10x Effect)  05:12 When Bankers Said "No"  07:49 Killing the Supplement Division  12:07 Why You Can't Please Every Investor  18:46 The Great Industry Culling  23:15 "Science Projects" vs. Real Products  26:07 Do Short-Acting Trips Actually Matter?  31:46 Why AI Isn't Ready Yet  34:11 Neurodegeneration & "Psychedelic Light"  36:26 What's Next?  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdrysdale/  https://www.helus.com/ Like what you heard? Hit subscribe and follow us for more in-depth insights into the future of mental health -- @evolving_minds_podcast Stay tuned with our channels:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lOYS1R9bu7plbF65sbR5u Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-minds-by-pink-elephant/id1829115616 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pink-elephant-fund/ Twitter: https://x.com/PinkElephantHQ The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant, hosted by Jason Najum, is a series of 1-on-1 conversations with star guests who dare to build, scale, or rethink companies, policies, and protocols at the frontier of progressive mental health.

Where is the REAL Money in Psychedelics? | Opportunities and Hurdles After FDA Approval

Go beyond the FDA approval headlines and into the REAL business of psychedelic medicine. While most eyes are on the drug developers, venture capitalist Maria Velkova shares where the smart money is going. The Tabula Rasa Ventures managing partner tells the untold story of the critical infrastructure needed for psychedelics to succeed post-approval, Big Pharma’s recent entry into the space, the maturation of the industry beyond the hype, and the massive commercial hurdles that many are overlooking. A candid and insightful look at investment, innovation, and what it really takes to bring psychedelic therapies to patients. #PsychedelicInvesting #PsychedelicMedicine #DrugDevelopment #MentalHealthInnovation #FDA #PsychedelicStartups #MentalHealthPodcast In this insightful conversation, Maria shares: Her unique journey from a decade in Big Pharma to launching a psychedelic-focused venture fund. Why the biggest opportunities are in the "picks and shovels"—the enabling technologies and infrastructure. The major hurdles after FDA approval: therapist training and insurance coverage. How the industry has moved from a hype curve to a new stage of maturity. Why Big Pharma's entry is a game-changer and a sign of what's to come. The overlooked but crucial role of patent strategy for long-term success. Future frontiers for innovation: AI in drug development and psychedelic applications in women's health. 00:00 Intro 01:09 Maria's Journey: From Big Pharma to Psychedelic VC 04:22 Why the Psychedelic Industry is Maturing, Not Plateauing 08:14 The "Picks and Shovels": Real Money is in Infrastructure 12:50 The Biggest Hurdle After Approval: Insurance Coverage 18:30 Is the Stigma Around Psychedelics Disappearing? 23:45 Why Capital is Coming Back to the Space 27:21 The Future: AI's Role in Drug Development 29:55 A Massive Untapped Market: Psychedelics for Women's Health 34:54 The Overlooked Importance of Patent Strategy 44:55 What to Expect in the Next 1-2 Years Whether you're an entrepreneur, therapist, investor, or just curious about the psychedelic renaissance, this episode offers a rare inside look at the business realities and future opportunities beyond the mainstream headlines. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-velkova/ https://www.tabularasa.ventures/ Like what you heard? Hit subscribe and follow us for more in-depth insights into the future of mental health -- https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving_Minds_Podcast Stay tuned with our channels: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lOYS1R9bu7plbF65sbR5u Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-minds-by-pink-elephant/id1829115616 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pink-elephant-fund/ Twitter: https://x.com/PE_PinkElephant The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant, hosted by Jason Najum, is a series of 1-on-1 conversations with star guests who dare to build, scale, or rethink companies, policies, and protocols at the frontier of progressive mental health.

The Psychedelic Gold Rush Is Over? Big Pharma, AI, and Psychedelic Research Inside the NHS

Go inside the REAL business of psychedelic medicine. While everyone talks about investment and FDA headlines, George McBride is on the front lines doing the essential work. The Clerkenwell Health co-founder reveals the untold story of navigating psychedelic clinical trials, Big Pharma’s growing interest, public-private partnerships with the NHS, the future of AI in psychedelic clinical trials, and much more. A candid and insightful look at innovation, regulation, and what it really takes to bring psychedelics to market. #PsychedelicResearch #ClinicalTrials #DrugDevelopment #MentalHealthInnovation #NHS #PsychedelicStartups #MentalHealthPodcast In this insightful conversation, George shares: - His unique journey from aspiring criminal barrister to pioneering psychedelic research. - What a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) does and why it's essential for the industry. - Details on Clerkenwell Health's groundbreaking partnership to run trials inside an NHS hospital. - The difference in stigma between cannabis and psychedelics when dealing with the establishment. - Why the industry has moved from hype to "stable excitement" and what's next. - The biggest bottlenecks holding back psychedelic medicine, from talent shortages to diagnostics. - How big pharma and AI are poised to change the future of mental healthcare. 00:00 Intro 02:57 George's Journey: From Law to the Beckley Foundation 06:06 Why We Started a Psychedelic Research Company 08:52 Personal Motivations: The Gaps in Mental Healthcare 11:54 What is Clerkenwell Health? Explaining the Clinical Trial Model 12:50 A Groundbreaking Partnership with the NHS 19:42 Clinical Trials as a Pathway for Patient Access 24:57 Stigma: Psychedelics vs. Cannabis 30:52 The Reality of Navigating European Health Authorities 35:05 Is Big Pharma About to Enter the Psychedelic Space? 43:33 The Biggest Bottlenecks Facing the Industry 48:37 How AI Will Impact Psychedelic Research & Treatment 50:13 Final Thoughts & How to Collaborate Whether you're an entrepreneur, therapist, investor, or just curious about the psychedelic renaissance, this episode offers a rare inside look at what it takes to turn promise into approved medicine. Our guest is George McBride: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mcbridegeorge https://www.clerkenwellhealth.com/ Like what you heard? Hit subscribe and follow us for more in-depth insights into the future of mental health -- https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving_Minds_Podcast Stay tuned with our channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pink-elephant-fund/ Twitter: https://x.com/PE_PinkElephant The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant, hosted by Jason Najum, is a series of 1-on-1 conversations with star guests who dare to build, scale, or rethink companies, policies, and protocols at the frontier of progressive mental health

Why Psychedelic Startups Hit a Wall? Ronan Levy on Field Trip’s Rise, Ketamine Clinics & What’s Next

Today’s guest is Ronan Levy, co-founder and former CEO of Field Trip Health, joins Jason Najum to reflect on the explosive rise and collapse of one of the first public psychedelic therapy companies. #PsychedelicStartups #KetamineClinics #mentalhealthinnovation  #mentalhealthpodcast  In this raw and insightful conversation, Ronan shares: - How Field Trip raised $100M and listed on the NASDAQ - Why psychedelic therapy clinics are hard to scale - What went wrong with the ketamine clinic model - The truth about FDA rejection and psychedelic drug development - How Ronan sees the future of mental health, psychedelic therapy, and functional alternatives to alcohol 00:00 – Intro: The rise and fall of Field Trip Health   01:30 – Ronan Levy's journey: from law to cannabis to psychedelics   06:30 – Launching Field Trip during the psychedelic gold rush   10:30 – Building a brand that stood out in a clinical space   14:30 – NASDAQ listing, media buzz, and mounting pressure   18:00 – Why ketamine clinics failed to scale   25:30 – Lessons from the crash: what Ronan would do differently   32:00 – Can psychedelics be a scalable business?   37:00 – The future: decentralization, community care, and human connection   44:00 – Ronan’s new venture: alcohol alternatives that actually feel good   47:30 – Final thoughts: what’s next for psychedelic mental health Whether you're an entrepreneur, therapist, investor, or just curious about the psychedelic renaissance—this episode offers a rare inside look. Like what you heard? Hit subscribe and follow us on YouTube @Evolvong_Minds_Podcast for more in-depth insights into the future of mental health. --------------------------------------------- The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant, hosted by Jason Najum, is a series of 1-on-1 conversations with star guests who dare to build, scale, or rethink companies, policies, and protocols at the frontier of progressive mental health.