Founder Friday S4, Episode 01 - VR with Soul: With Katie and Zillah of Phase Space
Jul 09, 2025
Katie and Zillah, the powerhouse duo behind Phase Space, are not your average startup founders—and that’s exactly what makes them extraordinary. On the latest episode of Founder Friday, we dove into their journey: from Emmy-nominated Doctor Who VR adventures to creating immersive wellbeing experiences designed to calm and empower young people in just seven minutes.
Phase Space isn’t just a product—it’s a movement. Rooted in rigorous testing and co-designed with healthcare students at City St George’s, their virtual reality experiences are engineered to provide instant calm while building long-term coping skills. Whether it's in schools, libraries or even Glastonbury tents, Katie and Zillah are on a mission to make mental health support accessible, joyful, and beautifully human.
Both founders bring years of experience in storytelling, gaming, and innovation to the table. Zillah, formerly of the BBC, is a strategic super-connector and master of stakeholder diplomacy. Katie, with roots in gaming and animation, brings precision, creativity, and pitch-perfect decks that win over investors and audiences alike. Together, they embody what modern, female-led startups can and should be: bold, collaborative, and refreshingly grounded.
What sets their work apart is the deeply people-first design ethos. From audio clarity to aesthetic elegance, every detail in their VR is honed to reward users for their attention. In an age where most mental health tech can feel clinical or clunky, Phase Space creates experiences that are emotionally resonant and technically seamless.
But their impact goes far beyond the headset. As female founders who’ve pivoted careers later in life, they bring a clarity of purpose and resilience that many first-time founders can learn from. Their advice? “You will never reach the bottom of your to-do list—and that’s okay.” They champion strategic rest, strong boundaries, and the power of perspective. Their mantra? Work smart, rest well, reset often.
For anyone launching a first startup, particularly women balancing experience, ambition, and life’s realities, Katie and Zillah are role models. They’ve shown that your timing doesn’t have to match the mainstream startup narrative. In fact, it’s often your difference that becomes your strength.
At Canopy, we believe in celebrating founders who are building with both purpose and playfulness. That’s why we were proud to feature Phase Space on Founder Friday. Their journey is just beginning—and we can’t wait to see how far they’ll go.
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