# Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson (2019)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-01-03
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019

## Summary

Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, and Rich Pierson, a former advertising executive, co-founded Headspace to demystify meditation. They pivoted from an unscalable live events business to a digital app, securing early funding from Pierson’s father and leveraging partnerships with Virgin Atlantic and The Guardian for user acquisition. The episode details their journey from London to Los Angeles, Pierson’s battle with cancer, and the strategic decision to raise venture capital to scale the company to over $100 million in annual revenue.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=0) Introduction: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson
- [3:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=210) Andy’s Journey: From Monk to Circus Student
- [24:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=1450) Meeting Rich Pierson and the Clinic Partnership
- [35:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=2156) The Live Events Business and Early Funding
- [46:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=2804) Pivoting to the App and Early Launch
- [52:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=3125) Relocating to LA and Andy’s Cancer Diagnosis
- [57:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=3423) Raising Venture Capital and Scaling the Company
- [1:00:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-03-headspace-andy-puddicombe-and-rich-pierson-2019#t=3648) Brand Strategy, Competition, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Headspace (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Virgin Atlantic (company)
- The Guardian (company)
- BBH (company)
- BAFTA (company)
- Hodder and Staunton (company)

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- [Founder + Funder: Fundraising, Founder-Investor Fit, and Building the Next Big Breakfast Brand with Emily Groden of Evergreen and Brian Bernstein of Rich Products Ventures](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-20-founder-funder-fundraising-founder-investor-fit-and-building-the-next-big-breakf) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)
- [#028 - Meet the creators of FitBit for medication, with Peter Havas of PillDrill, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-31-028-meet-the-creators-of-fitbit-for-medication-with-peter-havas-of-pilldrill-usa) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [How to Ask Someone to Invest in Your CPG Brand, with Fave's Ryan Raish](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-10-how-to-ask-someone-to-invest-in-your-cpg-brand-with-faves-ryan-raish) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [The Pilot: Unveiling the Blueprint of "The Builder Circle"](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-05-13-the-pilot-unveiling-the-blueprint-of-the-builder-circle) (The Builder Circle)

## Citing this page

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