From real estate to mental health therapy
Members Aerial Icon collaborate with Arise and ARU to revolutionise mental health therapy.
Aerial Icon is a pioneering company at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to revolutionise mental health therapy.
Initially focused on the real estate and advertising sectors, Aerial Icon pivoted to healthcare innovation with the support of Arise Innovation Hubs. This strategic shift has positioned them as a business operating at the convergence of creative and scientific sectors. Led by CEO Ekene Ukemenam, Aerial Icon develops cutting-edge VR therapy solutions for anxiety, phobias, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Their flagship project, Aerial 360 Artificial Intelligence Solutions (A3AIS), which was successfully funded by Innovate UK, leverages AI-driven video generation to produce high-quality aerial 360° videos, enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of VR therapy. Collaborating with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Aerial Icon explores advanced AI models to scale therapeutic content while reducing production costs. Through research and strategic partnerships, they are driving the digital therapeutics revolution, transforming healthcare delivery with immersive, AI-powered solutions.
Aerial Icon's collaboration with ARU has been multifaceted and deeply impactful. Together, they have secured £50,000 from Innovate UK to conduct a research study on the efficacy of VR therapy for common mental health conditions. This study, involving ARU students and academics, aims to validate the therapeutic benefits of their VR solutions and secure additional research and innovation funds.
This growing partnership has resulted in both technical and clinical innovation. Through projects like A3AIS, the team is now developing modular VR therapy solutions that can be adapted for a range of mental health conditions. These solutions are not only being tested in real-world settings but are also co-designed with clinical researchers and psychologists to ensure therapeutic efficacy and ethical rigour.
The partnership also focuses on developing AI-driven video generation, eliminating the need for costly physical content capture and enhancing the scalability of VR therapy treatments. Key figures in this collaboration include Dr. Debora Vasconcelos e Sá, overseeing psychological research, Dr. Lakshmi Babu-Saheer, leading AI model development, and Dr. Jane Scott, ensuring clinical research integrity.
The ABOVE programme has been instrumental in Aerial Icon's success. ABOVE supported the growth and development of the MedTech, health, and wellbeing sectors by fostering collaboration, technological convergence, and business diversification. In alignment with the Essex Sector Development Strategy, ABOVE has delivered targeted interventions to support the creation of new knowledge-intensive businesses and the growth and scale-up of existing businesses in the sector. For Aerial Icon, ABOVE provided crucial support that facilitated their pivot from real estate and advertising to healthcare. This shift was essential in aligning their innovative capabilities with the growing demand for digital mental health solutions. The programme's support has resulted in business growth, job creation, and enhanced productivity, positioning Aerial Icon for further success in the global market.
Beverley Vaughan, Arise Innovation Hubs director says:
“We have been delighted to see the journey of Aerial Icon and provide a supportive environment for them to work within. With further projects in the pipeline Aerial look set to achieve commercial success. This story really demonstrates how what seem to be small amounts of funding and early partnership can be instrumental in building successful innovations”
Aerial Icon's achievements have not gone unnoticed. They have been shortlisted for the Partnership Between Academia and Business award at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025[1]. This nomination recognises the significant impact of their collaboration with ARU in advancing digital therapeutics. The Medilink Midlands Business Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the Medtech and life sciences sectors, highlighting the importance of partnerships that drive innovation and improve healthcare delivery. Being nominated for this award underscores the value of Aerial Icon's work and their commitment to transforming mental health therapy through cutting-edge technology.
The commercial potential of A3AIS is substantial, addressing a rapidly growing VR healthcare market. By automating 360° video production with AI, Aerial Icon reduces costs and expands content creation capabilities, making VR therapy more accessible. The technology positions Aerial Icon as a leader in digital therapeutics, offering licensing opportunities to healthcare providers, research institutions, and wellness platforms. With global VR adoption increasing, this innovation has the potential to disrupt mental health treatment delivery, creating new revenue streams while improving patient care. The collaboration with ARU has helped support further investment, partnerships, and commercial scalability.
CEO Ekene Ukemenam, tells us:
“Collaborating with ARU has been a game-changer for Aerial Icon. Their clinical insight and research excellence have given our technology the credibility and evidence base it needs to thrive in healthcare. The A3AIS project is proof of what’s possible when innovation and academia truly align we’re not just building cutting-edge VR therapy; we’re creating something that can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Overall, Aerial Icon represents a successful convergence of creative and scientific sectors, driving the digital therapeutics revolution with their innovative, AI-powered VR therapy solutions. Their work not only enhances mental health care delivery but also positions them as a leader in the rapidly growing VR healthcare market. The recognition from the Medilink Midlands Business Awards further validates their efforts and highlights the importance of their partnership with ARU in advancing healthcare innovation.
References
[1] Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025 open for applications