Mental health care is a basic need, but for millions in Latin America, getting help is still out of reach. As conditions like anxiety, depression, and burnout increase, the region continues to struggle with low funding, outdated systems, and stigma around mental illness. The question now isn’t whether there’s a crisis—it’s how to fix it.
For Vitor Calvi, this issue became personal. As CEO and CTO of Dyagnosys, he’s leading more than just a fast-growing health tech company—he’s on a mission to make mental health care as normal and accessible as checking your blood pressure. With expertise in artificial intelligence and a strong belief in social justice, Vitor Calvi co-founded Dyagnosys to change how we think about, track, and treat mental health.
Rather than waiting for people to hit crisis points, he envisioned a proactive system—one that could quietly pick up on subtle changes in someone’s voice, facial expression, or heart rate and offer early support before distress spirals into dysfunction. Powered by AI and grounded in biometric science, Dyagnosys’s solutions make mental health care not only smarter but also more humane.
Under his leadership, Dyagnosys is reshaping mental health care across Latin America. Its tools are clinically validated, cost-effective, and scalable—designed for populations that have long been excluded from timely care. In regions where stigma, cost, and access remain high barriers, Vitor Calvi’s vision offers something revolutionary: early, dignified, and data-driven intervention.
This isn’t just a story about a startup’s success. It’s a story about one founder’s refusal to accept a broken status quo—and his belief that with empathy and innovation, we can build a future where no one’s mental health is left behind.
A Personal Mission to Change Mental Health Care
Vitor Calvi’s path to founding Dyagnosys wasn’t a linear one. His early years were shaped by a deep fascination with how technology could improve human lives, particularly in healthcare. After completing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence and an MBA, he spent years coaching teams and developing AI solutions tailored for healthcare applications. However, something was missing, a sense of purpose that went beyond just creating technology.
He recalls the moment when everything changed. “The turning point came when I saw firsthand how mental health issues were exploding globally, but especially in underserved communities. The gap between need and access was staggering. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Could we use AI to bridge this gap? That question kept me up at night,” he shares. This reflection and drive to make a difference eventually led him to co-found Dyagnosys in 2021.
With his co-founders, Vitor Calvi set out to create not just another app but a solution with clinical-grade accuracy that could truly make a difference in mental health care. “Dyagnosys was born from frustration, passion, and a bit of stubborn optimism that we could do better,” he says, reflecting on the company’s origins. Their mission was clear: use AI and biometrics to make mental health support more accessible to those who need it most.
Balancing Dual Roles: CEO and CTO
Taking on the dual roles of CEO and CTO was never part of Vitor Calvi’s plan, but as Dyagnosys was being founded, it became evident that the two roles were deeply interconnected. “Our technology IS our business strategy—they’re completely intertwined,” he explains. In the early days of the company, he had to wear both hats simply because there was no one else who could fully understand and execute the vision of both technology and business development.
However, balancing these responsibilities isn’t without its challenges. “Some days I’m deep in research papers on facial expression analysis algorithms, and other days I’m pitching to investors or negotiating partnerships,” he admits. To manage this, Vitor Calvi has developed a system of blocking out specific days for either “CEO work” or “CTO work,” ensuring that he can focus on one role at a time and avoid the mental strain of constant switching.
But even with a finely tuned schedule, the weight of his dual responsibilities isn’t always easy. “What keeps me sane is remembering why we started this company—to make a real difference in people’s mental health,” he reflects. This constant reminder of their mission keeps him grounded, even in the most hectic times.
The Factors Behind Dyagnosys’ Recognition in 2025
As of 2025, Dyagnosys has become one of the most dynamic players in Latin America’s healthcare ecosystem. Its success can be attributed to several key factors that have allowed the company to stand out from its competitors.
“For us, it’s been obsessive clinical validation,” he explains. From the outset, the company partnered with prestigious institutions like UFMG and EMPRAPII to ensure that their technology didn’t just sound good in theory but had actual, measurable results in real-world settings. Their system’s accuracy rates of nearly 90% in detecting early stress markers are not just marketing numbers—they’re based on serious research.
Another differentiator is the diversity of its team. He explains, “We didn’t just hire tech people and expect them to understand mental health. We brought together AI experts, psychologists, molecular biologists, and healthcare innovators.” This multidisciplinary approach has allowed Dyagnosys to develop solutions that are grounded in both technology and real-world application.
Additionally, the company has built a user base of over 2,500 users across more than 150 organizations, with an impressive 78% engagement rate. “Those aren’t just vanity metrics—they represent real people getting support before reaching burnout,” he says, emphasizing the tangible impact the company is having.
Innovating Mental Health Monitoring
When it comes to innovation, Dyagnosys is at the forefront of integrating AI with mental health care. “Our biggest innovation is probably our multimodal approach,” he explains. Traditional mental health assessments often rely on subjective questionnaires or periodic therapy sessions, but the organization has taken a more continuous, real-time approach. Their system monitors multiple biometric signals, including facial expressions, voice patterns, and heart rate variability, to create a comprehensive stress and anxiety index.
“This real-time monitoring means we can catch subtle changes long before they become clinical issues. Think of it like a check engine light for your mental wellbeing,” he compares. This continuous monitoring is what sets it apart from traditional methods, providing proactive care rather than reactive intervention.
Partnerships have played a key role in bringing this innovation to life. Dyagnosys’ collaboration with Corsano on their CardioWatch 287 device allowed them to adapt existing technology for heart rate variability tracking, which is crucial in detecting stress and anxiety states. This partnership has been instrumental in integrating their technology seamlessly into healthcare systems.
“Working with Corsano on their CardioWatch 287 has been particularly exciting,” he says. “We’ve adapted their technology to track heart rate variability patterns that correlate with anxiety and stress states. Our system then delivers personalized recommendations based on the individual’s specific patterns.”
Ensuring Accessibility Across Socio-Economic Groups
One of the most impressive aspects of Dyagnosys’ model is its commitment to ensuring accessibility. Mental health care, especially in underserved regions, is often a luxury. However, the company has made it a priority to ensure that their solutions are available to as many people as possible, regardless of socio-economic status.
“We built our platform to be device-agnostic from the start. You don’t need the latest smartphone to benefit from our technology,” he explains. Additionally, their API pricing is structured to be affordable for even the most resource-constrained healthcare providers, with each scan costing as little as $1.20.
Partnerships with organizations like SEBRAE and ApexBrasil have been crucial in tailoring Dyagnosys’ solutions for the unique needs of different regions in Latin America. By working closely with local experts, it ensures that their technology is not just cutting-edge but also contextually appropriate.
“We’re also exploring sliding scale pricing models for different regions and use cases,” he adds. “For instance, our enterprise rate of $29 per employee per month works for corporate wellness programs, but we adjust this significantly for public health applications.”
The Role of AI in Dyagnosys’ Success
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are the backbone of the platform. From analyzing facial micro-expressions to monitoring voice patterns and heart rate variability, AI is essential for creating the insights that power Dyagnosys’ solutions.
“We’ve trained our models on diverse datasets to ensure they work across different ethnicities, ages, and genders,” he explains. This attention to detail has ensured that the technology is not only accurate but also inclusive, recognizing the nuances of different populations.
The complexity of the heart rate variability analysis is one of the most technically challenging aspects of the platform. Vitor Calvi and his team have developed sophisticated algorithms that can distinguish between acute stress, chronic stress, and anxiety states—offering personalized insights for each user.
“The real magic happens in our fusion algorithms that combine these different data streams into actionable insights,” he explains. This combination of data from various biometric signals is what makes the platform truly unique.
Challenges Faced by a Dual-Role Leader
While leading Dyagnosys has been a rewarding experience for Vitor Calvi, it hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles he’s faced is maintaining focus in such a fast-paced industry.
“Both healthcare and AI are moving at breakneck speed,” he says. “Trying to stay on top of clinical research, emerging technologies, market trends, regulatory changes, and competitor movements while running a company is… well, impossible to do perfectly.”
Over time, he’s learned to delegate and build a team that he trusts to handle the aspects of the business that require deep specialization. “I’ve surrounded myself with people who are better than me in their specific domains,” he says. This has been essential in ensuring that Dyagnosys remains focused on its mission while navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving industry.
Another challenge is balancing innovation with execution. Vitor Calvi refers to his framework of “80/20/20,” where 80% of resources are dedicated to improving the core product, 20% to adjacent innovations, and 20% to exploring breakthrough ideas.
“I’ve learned the hard way that I can’t do everything,” he admits. “Building a strong team has been my salvation.”
The Future of Healthcare from Reactive to Preventative Care
Looking ahead, Vitor Calvi sees a shift in healthcare away from episodic, reactive care and toward continuous, predictive care. “We’re witnessing a fundamental shift from episodic to continuous healthcare,” he predicts. In emerging markets, especially, AI-powered diagnostics and mobile-first solutions will play a pivotal role in providing access to healthcare where infrastructure is limited.
“Just as mobile banking allowed many regions to skip building physical bank branches, AI-powered diagnostics may allow healthcare systems to deliver sophisticated care without requiring the same physical infrastructure,” he explains.
For Dyagnosys, this means a future where their solutions could become ubiquitous, integrated into every aspect of healthcare. But the challenge remains: making this technology accessible to all.
Values That Guide Dyagnosys’ Mission
Vitor Calvi’s leadership is shaped by three core values: integrity, inclusivity, and innovation with purpose.
“We never cut corners on validation or make claims our technology can’t support,” he says, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the healthcare sector. Dyagnosys is committed to ensuring that every decision they make is rooted in rigorous science.
Inclusivity is another cornerstone of the company’s approach. “We build for diverse populations from day one, not as an afterthought,” he says. Ensuring that their solutions are accessible to a wide range of people is not just a goal but a guiding principle.
Finally, innovation with purpose drives everything Dyagnosys does. “We don’t innovate for innovation’s sake but to solve real problems,” he explains. Their focus is always on improving mental health outcomes and creating solutions that can make a measurable impact in people’s lives.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Vitor Calvi’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: start with a real problem. “Spend time in healthcare environments, talk to patients and providers, understand the challenges from the inside out,” he advises. Building a truly multidisciplinary team is also critical for tackling the complex challenges in healthcare.
“Healthcare problems are rarely just technical or just clinical—they’re complex systems challenges,” he says. Dyagnosys’ success is a testament to this approach.
Vitor Calvi emphasizes the importance of resilience and persistence. “Be patient but persistent,” he encourages. “Healthcare moves slower than other tech sectors, for good reason—people’s lives are at stake.”
A Personal and Professional Reflection
For Vitor Calvi, success isn’t defined by exit valuations or recognition in the media. It’s about impact—making a tangible difference in people’s lives. “Professionally, I measure success by three metrics: First, are we helping prevent mental health crises before they happen? Second, are we making this technology accessible to diverse populations, not just the privileged few? And third, are we building something sustainable that will continue to evolve and improve?” he says.
On a personal level, success is about maintaining balance and being fully present in whatever he’s doing. “True success will be when mental health monitoring is as routine as checking your blood pressure,” he concludes. “That’s when I’ll know we’ve made it.”
In the world of mental health and healthcare innovation, Dyagnosys is proving that with the right technology, vision, and mission, real change is possible.
