The AskEllyn Story

In October 2023, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ellyn Winters-Robinson, with the help of Gambit Technologies, launched AskEllyn, a groundbreaking conversational AI platform designed to provide support for women navigating the complexities of breast cancer. Accessible and free forever, AskEllyn is committed to reaching every corner of the globe, ensuring that no woman or family, regardless of background or language, has to face this journey alone. It’s a mission rooted in empathy and action—what we like to call AI for Good.

The story of AskEllyn began with a deeply personal encounter. Ellyn, a 58-year-old breast cancer survivor, was diagnosed in 2022. She quickly realized that beyond the clinical care she received, there was an emotional and informational gap that left her—and countless others—struggling to find reliable, supportive resources. As Ellyn penned her book, “Flat Please Hold the Shame,” she began to see that her experience, while deeply personal, reflected a larger need in the community.

At an event at the Accelerator Centre, a chance meeting with Patrick Belliveau, CEO and Co-Founder of Catalyst Entertainment Technology and investor in Gambit Technologies, sparked the initial idea for AskEllyn. Moved by Ellyn’s story and book, Patrick envisioned an AI tool that could scale the compassion and wisdom Ellyn shared. Gambit Technologies took on the challenge, meticulously crafting a state-of-the-art AI that didn’t just offer information but offered it with the warmth, empathy, and understanding of someone who had been through it all herself.

The results were immediate and powerful. AskEllyn, with its natural conversation flow, multilingual capabilities, and real-world wisdom, became an instant beacon of support for countless women across the globe. As Jennie Dale, Co-founder and Executive Director of Dense Breasts Canada, put it, “When I first used AskEllyn, I was blown away. The empathy, the authenticity—it was as if I was speaking to someone who truly understood.” AskEllyn became more than just a tool—it became a lifeline, offering comfort and guidance to women in their most vulnerable moments.

But AskEllyn is more than just an AI tool. It represents the core belief that those closest to the problem are in the best position to solve it. This guiding principle inspired the launch of the Gambit Changemaker Venture Studio, an initiative designed to empower individuals and organizations to create AI solutions that tackle real-world problems at scale.

The Changemaker Venture Studio emerged from the success of AskEllyn. We saw firsthand how one person’s experience, combined with cutting-edge technology, could create a ripple effect of support and impact. And we realized that this model—pairing changemakers with AI—could extend far beyond breast cancer. Whether it’s addressing issues like youth mental health, sustainability, or supporting immigrants, the Changemaker Venture Studio aims to replicate the AskEllyn model: taking the people closest to the problem and giving them the tools they need to create scalable solutions.

The first cohort of the Gambit Changemaker Venture Studio reflects this ambition. These seven changemakers are working to create AI-driven tools that address everything from mental health to environmental sustainability. Like AskEllyn, they are working to build solutions that scale, delivering real-world impact in ways that were previously unimaginable. By providing them with access to Gambit’s AI technology, expert mentorship, and resources, the Venture Studio empowers these changemakers to turn their ideas into reality.

The AskEllyn story is just the beginning. It serves as a testament to what’s possible when passion meets technology, and it inspires us to continue supporting changemakers who are ready to drive solutions that matter. Through the Changemaker Venture Studio, we are expanding on the AskEllyn model, working to ensure that anyone with a vision and a desire to make a difference has the opportunity to do so—at scale.

As we move forward, AskEllyn will continue to provide support to people around the world. But she will also stand as a symbol of what can happen when we empower changemakers to lead with empathy and purpose, supported by the transformative power of AI.

To learn more about AskEllyn or the Changemaker Venture Studio, visit GambitForGood.com.