Two friends from Kasaragod faced failure after failure. Every one of the 12 businesses they launched collapsed. But giving up was never an option for them. Eventually, they identified a growing problem faced by Malayalis and many others around the world, access to mental health support in their own language. That idea became ‘Oppam’, an online therapy platform that has now generated more than Rs 3 crore in revenue within just two years.
K.A. Abdullah Kunji, one of the founders of Oppam, said the venture was born from a simple question, could mental health counselling be effectively provided online? The idea was developed along with his long-time business partner Muhammad Ibrahim Hawas, who had been part of all his previous ventures. Soon, mental health expert Mubashira joined the team, and together they launched Oppam two years ago.
What sets Oppam apart is its accessibility. The platform allows people anywhere in the world to connect with a therapist in their local language, including Malayalam, within ten minutes. So far, Oppam has completed more than 25,000 therapy sessions, with users from over 40 countries accessing the service. More than 45 therapists are currently available on the platform, providing support 24 hours a day.
Users can easily book sessions through the website by browsing therapist profiles and choosing a suitable expert. Consultation charges start at Rs 1,000. At present, therapy services are available in Malayalam and Tamil, but the founders plan to expand into more regional languages and take the platform to the national level.
Abdullah Kunji said the mission behind Oppam is to ensure that mental health support is available to everyone, anytime they need it. “People going through emotional or mental struggles should never feel alone,” he said. “We want them to know that someone is always there for them.”
Rs 4 crore raised in seed funding
Oppam’s growth also attracted investor attention. Last year, the startup secured Rs 1.5 crore during the Global Startup Festival organised by the Kerala Startup Mission through Huddle. Later, the company received an additional Rs 50 lakh in investment.
The team also participated in ‘Manorama Online Elevate Season 2’, an initiative by Manorama Online to support emerging entrepreneurs, where they secured another Rs 90 lakh investment. Following the release of Oppam’s business pitch, more investors showed interest in the startup. Existing investors also extended further support.
After Elevate, the company raised an additional Rs 1.1 crore, taking the total seed funding to Rs 4 crore, Abdullah Kunji said.
