AXIS Mentee Wins Big at MIRA Awards

AXIS Mentee Wins Big at MIRA Awards

Last month, at the 2026 MIRA Awards, Alicia Mckoy took home the Resilience Award for her Indianapolis-based tech company, Peak Mind. Mckoy's company uses AI, biometrics, and immersive tools like virtual reality to help individuals and organizations better understand and manage stress in real time. Judges at MIRA noted Mckoy's ability to advocate for others navigating trauma while remaining an active contributor to Indiana's entrepreneurial and tech communities. Her story reflects strength, determination, and an unwavering commitment to turning hardship into hope. Mckoy is also an alumna of BioCrossroads' AXIS Mentoring Program and says the program was crucial in getting the company established.

Tell me about Peak Mind and the problem you are trying to solve.

Peak Mind is focused on one of the most expensive and least measured risks in the workforce. Chronic stress. Most organizations measure productivity and safety in real time, but stress is often detected only after performance declines or health conditions develop. Our work centers on identifying biological and behavioral signals early, so individuals and employers can take action before stress becomes an illness. The objective is prevention, stability, and sustained performance.

What motivated you to start this company?

The motivation came from repeated observation of high-performing professionals who were succeeding externally while their health and well-being was quietly deteriorating. Traditional wellness programs were not designed to detect that strain early. Over time, it became clear that stress needed to be treated as a measurable health condition rather than a temporary feeling. That realization led to years of research focused on building practical tools that help people recognize and manage stress before it becomes a long-term and more expensive problem.

When did you join AXIS, and why did you sign up? How has the program helped your company?

We joined the AXIS mentoring program through BioCrossroads when the company was transitioning from research into commercialization. The program provides us with structured guidance from experienced leaders who understand regulatory pathways, reimbursement models, and scaling health technology. That support is strengthening our strategic planning, market entry decisions, and expanding our network across the life sciences community.

How does it feel to win the Resilience Award at MIRA?

Receiving the Resilience Award from TechPoint is both humbling and energizing. The recognition reflects the significance of the challenges that I have faced and the persistence to continue to build solutions that improve human health for those that use our innovation. It also signals to the broader technology community that resilience is not just about endurance but about continuing to show up during difficult periods. It felt great being able to say to the 1,200+ attendees to take care of their own well-being. That is the core of my mission, and I am honored I was given the stage to do so.

What's next for Peak Mind?

The next phase of Peak Mind focuses on the products we are spinning out into commercialization. Products that we have seen great success in early pilots and clinical testing such as our biometric indicators integration to support daily preventive care. The long-term goal is to make stress measurement as routine as monitoring blood pressure for those who are worried about its impact on their quality of life. When users can see risk earlier, they can protect health, stabilize performance, and reduce long-term costs.