Year: 2018

An app that has the needs of modern-day parents in mind, Winnie, has now raised $4 million in additional seed funding in a round led by Reach Capital. Other investors in the new round include Rethink Impact, Homebrew, Ludlow Ventures, Afore Capital, and BBG Ventures, among others. With the new funds, Winnie has raised $6.5 million to date.

The San Francisco-based startup, which begun its life as a directory of kid-friendly places largely serving the needs of newer parents, has since expanded to become a larger platform for parents.

Winnie was founded by Bay Area technologists, Sara Mauskopf, who spent time at Postmates, Twitter, YouTube and Google, and Anne Halsall, also from Postmates and Google, as well as Quora and Inkling.

As new parents themselves, they built Winnie out a personal need to find the sort of information parents crave – details you can’t easily dig up in Google Maps or Yelp.

For example, you can use Winnie to find nearby kid-friendly destinations like museums or parks, as well as those that welcome children with features like changing tables in restrooms, wide aisles in stores for stroller access, areas for nursing, and other things.

Winnie serves as a good example of what investing in women can achieve. Somehow, the young, 20-something men that receive the lion’s share of VC funding had never thought up the idea of app that helps new parents navigate the world. (I know, shocking, right?) And yet, the kind of questions that Winnie tries to answer are those that all parents, at some point, are curious about.

The data on Winnie is crowd-sourced, with details, ratings and reviews coming from other real parents. Listings in San Francisco may be more fleshed out than elsewhere, as that’s where Winnie got its start. However, the app is now available in 10,000 cities across the U.S., and has just surpassed over a million users.

In more recent months, Winnie has been working to expand beyond being a sort of “Yelp for parents,” and now features an online community where parents can ask questions and participate in discussions.

“The crowdsourced directory of family-friendly businesses is still a huge component of what we do…and this has grown to over 2 million places across the United States,” notes Winnie co-founder and CEO Sara Mauskopf. “But we also have these real-time answers to any parenting question from this authentic, supportive community,” she says, referring to Winnie’s online discussions.

The idea is that parents will be searching the web for answers to questions about toddler sleep issues or good local preschools or breastfeeding help, and Winnie’s answers will come up in search results, similar to other Q&A sites like Quora or Yahoo Answers.

“A lot of younger millennial parents are turning to Google to find answers to these questions,” adds Winnie co-founder and CPO Anne Halsall. “So we want to have the answer to these questions at the ready, and we want to have the best page. That’s an example of something that’s yield a lot of traffic for us, just because no one else had that data before Winnie,” she says.

Related to this expansion, Winnie is also serving this data across platforms, including – obviously – the web, in addition to its native app on iOS and Android. The hope is that, with the growth, business owners will come in to claim their pages on Winnie.com, too, and update their information.

 

In the near-term, the founders say they’ll put the funding to use building out more personalization features.

“As a technology company, we have a unique opportunity to give you this really tailored experience that grows with your family over time – so as your children are getting older, and you’re entering new phases of development, our product’s adapting and putting relevant information in front of you,” Halsall says. 

Data on businesses serving the needs of parents with older kids – like summer camps or driver’s ed classes, for example – are the kind of things Winnie will focus on as it grows to include information for more parents, instead of just those with younger children and babies.

Winnie will also use the funds to hire additional engineers to help it scale its platform.

Esteban Sosnik from Reach Capital joined Hunter Walk from Homebrew on Winnie’s board as a result of the funding.

The app is a free download for iOS and Android, and is available on the web at Winnie.com.

An app that has the needs of modern-day parents in mind, Winnie, has now raised $4 million in additional seed funding in a round led by Reach Capital. Other investors in the new round include Rethink Impact, Homebrew, Ludlow Ventures, Afore Capital, and BBG Ventures, among others. With the new funds, Winnie has raised $6.5 million to date.

The San Francisco-based startup, which begun its life as a directory of kid-friendly places largely serving the needs of newer parents, has since expanded to become a larger platform for parents.

Winnie was founded by Bay Area technologists, Sara Mauskopf, who spent time at Postmates, Twitter, YouTube and Google, and Anne Halsall, also from Postmates and Google, as well as Quora and Inkling.

As new parents themselves, they built Winnie out a personal need to find the sort of information parents crave – details you can’t easily dig up in Google Maps or Yelp.

For example, you can use Winnie to find nearby kid-friendly destinations like museums or parks, as well as those that welcome children with features like changing tables in restrooms, wide aisles in stores for stroller access, areas for nursing, and other things.

Winnie serves as a good example of what investing in women can achieve. Somehow, the young, 20-something men that receive the lion’s share of VC funding had never thought up the idea of app that helps new parents navigate the world. (I know, shocking, right?) And yet, the kind of questions that Winnie tries to answer are those that all parents, at some point, are curious about.

The data on Winnie is crowd-sourced, with details, ratings and reviews coming from other real parents. Listings in San Francisco may be more fleshed out than elsewhere, as that’s where Winnie got its start. However, the app is now available in 10,000 cities across the U.S., and has just surpassed over a million users.

In more recent months, Winnie has been working to expand beyond being a sort of “Yelp for parents,” and now features an online community where parents can ask questions and participate in discussions.

“The crowdsourced directory of family-friendly businesses is still a huge component of what we do…and this has grown to over 2 million places across the United States,” notes Winnie co-founder and CEO Sara Mauskopf. “But we also have these real-time answers to any parenting question from this authentic, supportive community,” she says, referring to Winnie’s online discussions.

The idea is that parents will be searching the web for answers to questions about toddler sleep issues or good local preschools or breastfeeding help, and Winnie’s answers will come up in search results, similar to other Q&A sites like Quora or Yahoo Answers.

“A lot of younger millennial parents are turning to Google to find answers to these questions,” adds Winnie co-founder and CPO Anne Halsall. “So we want to have the answer to these questions at the ready, and we want to have the best page. That’s an example of something that’s yield a lot of traffic for us, just because no one else had that data before Winnie,” she says.

Related to this expansion, Winnie is also serving this data across platforms, including – obviously – the web, in addition to its native app on iOS and Android. The hope is that, with the growth, business owners will come in to claim their pages on Winnie.com, too, and update their information.

 

In the near-term, the founders say they’ll put the funding to use building out more personalization features.

“As a technology company, we have a unique opportunity to give you this really tailored experience that grows with your family over time – so as your children are getting older, and you’re entering new phases of development, our product’s adapting and putting relevant information in front of you,” Halsall says. 

Data on businesses serving the needs of parents with older kids – like summer camps or driver’s ed classes, for example – are the kind of things Winnie will focus on as it grows to include information for more parents, instead of just those with younger children and babies.

Winnie will also use the funds to hire additional engineers to help it scale its platform.

Esteban Sosnik from Reach Capital joined Hunter Walk from Homebrew on Winnie’s board as a result of the funding.

The app is a free download for iOS and Android, and is available on the web at Winnie.com.

In the new Netflix film “Set It Up,” two personal assistants (played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) come up with an unusual plan to keep their tyrannical bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) busy: Make them fall in love with each other.

As decreed by the unbreakable laws of romantic comedy, it’s not just the bosses who find themselves attracted to each other, but their assistants as well. And in the latest episode of the Original Content podcast, we’re joined by Jon Shieber to talk about the film.

If you’re looking for a wildly original or unpredictable story, “Set It Up” probably isn’t the movie for you. But if you’re looking for a sweet, funny and of course romantic distraction from the ongoing horror show of the real world, you could do a lot worse.

This also leads to a broader discussion of what we’re looking for in romantic comedies. Plus, we cover the latest streaming news, like the launch of Instagram’s IGTV video hub, Apple’s pickup of the new immigrant-themed anthology series “Little America” and Apple’s new production deal with Sesame Workshop. And on top of all that, Jordan shares some thoughts on her new AirPods.

You can listen in the player below, subscribe using Apple Podcasts or find us in your podcast player of choice. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review on Apple. You also can send us feedback directly. (Or suggest shows and movies for us to review!)

In the new Netflix film “Set It Up,” two personal assistants (played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) come up with an unusual plan to keep their tyrannical bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) busy: Make them fall in love with each other.

As decreed by the unbreakable laws of romantic comedy, it’s not just the bosses who find themselves attracted to each other, but their assistants as well. And in the latest episode of the Original Content podcast, we’re joined by Jon Shieber to talk about the film.

If you’re looking for a wildly original or unpredictable story, “Set It Up” probably isn’t the movie for you. But if you’re looking for a sweet, funny and of course romantic distraction from the ongoing horror show of the real world, you could do a lot worse.

This also leads to a broader discussion of what we’re looking for in romantic comedies. Plus, we cover the latest streaming news, like the launch of Instagram’s IGTV video hub, Apple’s pickup of the new immigrant-themed anthology series “Little America” and Apple’s new production deal with Sesame Workshop. And on top of all that, Jordan shares some thoughts on her new AirPods.

You can listen in the player below, subscribe using Apple Podcasts or find us in your podcast player of choice. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review on Apple. You also can send us feedback directly. (Or suggest shows and movies for us to review!)

Venmo today is officially introducing its own debit card in partnership with MasterCard, following beta tests of a Visa-branded debit card last year. The new card will allow Venmo users to pay anywhere MasterCard is accepted in the U.S., and will record transactions to the user’s Venmo account for easy splitting with friends. It can also be used at an ATM to withdraw funds from the Venmo’s account’s balance.

PayPal, which owns Venmo, declined to explain why the company shifted from working with Visa during the beta testing period to now MasterCard, only responding with a non-answer, saying that it “continues to have valuable partnerships with both companies.”

Because of the change, however, existing beta customers won’t be able to continue to use their Visa-branded Venmo cards – they’ll instead be invited to sign up for the new Venmo MasterCard, issued by The Bancorp Bank.

Above: Venmo’s new card

One benefit to moving to the new card is that it will no longer feature an ugly lump of dough on the front (get it? dough? groan…). The updated card does away with that joke, and comes in a choice of six colors including black or white, as well as selection of bright colors, like yellow, pink, blue or green.

The company explains it learned from beta customers that users preferred a “more simplified look” that also offers personalization options.

Younger, millennial customers are Venmo’s target market, and they do tend to care what their cards look like, with a preference for metal cards these days. But Venmo’s beta card missed the mark on style in a big way. Meanwhile, rival Square’s Cash card looks more upscale as a black card with users’ own laser-printed signature on the front.

Above: Venmo’s old card

Of course, the main benefit to using a Venmo card is not how it looks – it’s that it makes splitting dinners, drinks and other purchases easier.

Instead of having to remember to charge your friends for whatever you paid for, the Venmo card purchases will show up in your account with the option to split with friends. (The card transactions default to private, but you’ll have the option to share them in your Venmo feed even if they’re not split.)

To take best advantage of this feature, you’ll want to turn the Reloads feature on which will automatically use your default funding source – that is, your bank account – to add money to your Venmo balance when you need to make a purchase.

Unlike the beta version of the card, the MasterCard-branded Venmo card can be used to withdraw up to $400 per day at ATMs displaying the MasterCard, Cirrus, PULSE, or MoneyPass acceptance marks. No fees apply for U.S. MoneyPass ATMs, while the others will charge a $2.50 ATM domestic withdrawal fee.

The card can also be managed from within the Venmo app, allowing users to activate their new card, reset their PIN, or even disable a lost or stolen card.

There are no fees for using the card for purchases, even if you get cash back at the point of sale. However, if a signature is required to get cash back at a bank, you’ll pay a $3.00 Over the Counter Domestic Withdrawal Fee, the company says.

While the card could take the place of a credit card in Venmo users’ wallets, it can’t replace your bank card – there’s no way to deposit cash or checks to your Venmo account, like you can do with a bank, and there’s no bill pay functionality.

The launch comes at a time when there’s a shift in how younger consumers are using payment cards and banking services. Many are turning to online banks, like Simple, Varo and Chime, and transfer money through peer-to-peer (p2p) payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and, now, the bank-backed app Zelle. Tech companies like Apple and Google are also getting into the p2p space, with their own services like Apple Pay Cash and Google Pay Send, for example.

Venmo says its new card is in limited release starting today. Beta customers will be invited to sign up, and others will need to fill out a form to reserve their spot.

Venmo today is officially introducing its own debit card in partnership with MasterCard, following beta tests of a Visa-branded debit card last year. The new card will allow Venmo users to pay anywhere MasterCard is accepted in the U.S., and will record transactions to the user’s Venmo account for easy splitting with friends. It can also be used at an ATM to withdraw funds from the Venmo’s account’s balance.

PayPal, which owns Venmo, declined to explain why the company shifted from working with Visa during the beta testing period to now MasterCard, only responding with a non-answer, saying that it “continues to have valuable partnerships with both companies.”

Because of the change, however, existing beta customers won’t be able to continue to use their Visa-branded Venmo cards – they’ll instead be invited to sign up for the new Venmo MasterCard, issued by The Bancorp Bank.

Above: Venmo’s new card

One benefit to moving to the new card is that it will no longer feature an ugly lump of dough on the front (get it? dough? groan…). The updated card does away with that joke, and comes in a choice of six colors including black or white, as well as selection of bright colors, like yellow, pink, blue or green.

The company explains it learned from beta customers that users preferred a “more simplified look” that also offers personalization options.

Younger, millennial customers are Venmo’s target market, and they do tend to care what their cards look like, with a preference for metal cards these days. But Venmo’s beta card missed the mark on style in a big way. Meanwhile, rival Square’s Cash card looks more upscale as a black card with users’ own laser-printed signature on the front.

Above: Venmo’s old card

Of course, the main benefit to using a Venmo card is not how it looks – it’s that it makes splitting dinners, drinks and other purchases easier.

Instead of having to remember to charge your friends for whatever you paid for, the Venmo card purchases will show up in your account with the option to split with friends. (The card transactions default to private, but you’ll have the option to share them in your Venmo feed even if they’re not split.)

To take best advantage of this feature, you’ll want to turn the Reloads feature on which will automatically use your default funding source – that is, your bank account – to add money to your Venmo balance when you need to make a purchase.

Unlike the beta version of the card, the MasterCard-branded Venmo card can be used to withdraw up to $400 per day at ATMs displaying the MasterCard, Cirrus, PULSE, or MoneyPass acceptance marks. No fees apply for U.S. MoneyPass ATMs, while the others will charge a $2.50 ATM domestic withdrawal fee.

The card can also be managed from within the Venmo app, allowing users to activate their new card, reset their PIN, or even disable a lost or stolen card.

There are no fees for using the card for purchases, even if you get cash back at the point of sale. However, if a signature is required to get cash back at a bank, you’ll pay a $3.00 Over the Counter Domestic Withdrawal Fee, the company says.

While the card could take the place of a credit card in Venmo users’ wallets, it can’t replace your bank card – there’s no way to deposit cash or checks to your Venmo account, like you can do with a bank, and there’s no bill pay functionality.

The launch comes at a time when there’s a shift in how younger consumers are using payment cards and banking services. Many are turning to online banks, like Simple, Varo and Chime, and transfer money through peer-to-peer (p2p) payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and, now, the bank-backed app Zelle. Tech companies like Apple and Google are also getting into the p2p space, with their own services like Apple Pay Cash and Google Pay Send, for example.

Venmo says its new card is in limited release starting today. Beta customers will be invited to sign up, and others will need to fill out a form to reserve their spot.

The search for the top TC Top Pick applicants to exhibit for free in Startup Alley at Disrupt San Francisco 2018 is rapidly coming to an end. Let this stand as your final reminder to get your “ish” together and apply to be a TC Top Pick. The application deadline is June 29, so drop what you’re doing and apply, apply, apply. Did we mention that you should apply, like, today?

Why should you apply? If our TechCrunch editors choose your company, you’ll get to exhibit alongside 1,000+ early-stage companies in Startup Alley, our amazing menagerie of innovation. It’s a hub of collaboration, connection, opportunity and inspiration — and you get to be there for free.

We’ll choose a select few from each of these categories: AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Biotech, Fintech, Gaming, Healthtech, Privacy/Security, Space, Mobility, Retail or Robotics.

TC Top Picks win a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package, which includes a one-day exhibit space in Startup Alley, three Founder passes (good for all three days of the show), use of CrunchMatch — our investor-to-startup matching platform — and access to the Disrupt SF 2018 press list.

You’ll also get lots and lots of media attention, including a three-minute interview on the Showcase Stage with a TechCrunch editor — and we’ll promote that video across our social media platforms. That exposure keeps reaping benefits long after the conference ends.

Exhibiting in Startup Alley makes sense for early-stage founders, and that’s not just us talking. According to Luke Heron, the CEO of TestCard.com, “If you’re a startup or an entrepreneur, exhibiting at Disrupt is a no-brainer.”

Exhibiting there for free is an even easier decision. Disrupt San Francisco 2018 takes place on September 5-7. The TC Top Pick deadline is June 29. Don’t delay one more day. Go and apply already!

The search for the top TC Top Pick applicants to exhibit for free in Startup Alley at Disrupt San Francisco 2018 is rapidly coming to an end. Let this stand as your final reminder to get your “ish” together and apply to be a TC Top Pick. The application deadline is June 29, so drop what you’re doing and apply, apply, apply. Did we mention that you should apply, like, today?

Why should you apply? If our TechCrunch editors choose your company, you’ll get to exhibit alongside 1,000+ early-stage companies in Startup Alley, our amazing menagerie of innovation. It’s a hub of collaboration, connection, opportunity and inspiration — and you get to be there for free.

We’ll choose a select few from each of these categories: AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Biotech, Fintech, Gaming, Healthtech, Privacy/Security, Space, Mobility, Retail or Robotics.

TC Top Picks win a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package, which includes a one-day exhibit space in Startup Alley, three Founder passes (good for all three days of the show), use of CrunchMatch — our investor-to-startup matching platform — and access to the Disrupt SF 2018 press list.

You’ll also get lots and lots of media attention, including a three-minute interview on the Showcase Stage with a TechCrunch editor — and we’ll promote that video across our social media platforms. That exposure keeps reaping benefits long after the conference ends.

Exhibiting in Startup Alley makes sense for early-stage founders, and that’s not just us talking. According to Luke Heron, the CEO of TestCard.com, “If you’re a startup or an entrepreneur, exhibiting at Disrupt is a no-brainer.”

Exhibiting there for free is an even easier decision. Disrupt San Francisco 2018 takes place on September 5-7. The TC Top Pick deadline is June 29. Don’t delay one more day. Go and apply already!

Seniors over 65 are one of the fastest growing age groups in the United States, but they are still an underserved market. Many don’t need assisted living or in-home care, but they do need help with transportation and errands. Most of all, however, the elderly want companionship. Papa, a service that bills itself as “grandkids on-demand,” wants to fill the gap by connecting college students, called Papa Pals, with seniors.

Named in honor of founder and chief executive officer Andrew Parker’s grandfather, the Miami-headquartered startup is currently participating in Y Combinator’s accelerator program. Seniors can use Papa’s app (or a customer service line for those who don’t own a mobile device) to book a Papa Pal. Papa Pals might take seniors to the grocery store or doctor’s appointments, help with chores or teach them how to set up a new smartphone or tablet. They also provide company for seniors, many of whose own adult children or grandchildren are busy working or live far away. Papa is currently available in Florida and will began expanding into other states next year.

“What’s interesting is that people don’t always want to say they want companionship, even though their families say they do,” says Parker. “But when a visit ends up being six hours, that’s evident what it’s for.”

Before launching Papa, Parker was vice president of health systems at telehealth company MDLIVE. He lived near his grandfather, who had early onset dementia, and would often go over to help him with errands. One day, however, Parker was unable to go on a grocery run. Since his workload was increasing, Parker posted on Facebook for a helper. A woman named Andrea responded and after his family interviewed her and did a background check, she began assisting his grandfather regularly.

The experience made Parker realize there was a gap in the market for seniors who, like his grandfather, were mostly independent and don’t require a caregiver, but still needed occasional help from a trustworthy person. He decided to leave MDLIVE and began working on Papa to provide what he describes as “pre-care.”

Papa Pals are college students, many of whom are studying nursing, social work or hospitality. Before they are matched with seniors, Papa Pals undergo a background check and a motor vehicle records check and inspection. The company also asks them to complete a personality test. Parker describes the ideal Papa Pal as not only interested in working with seniors for career experience, but also outgoing, empathetic and patient.

“If you want to be a Papa Pal to make a couple extra dollars, then it’s probably not a good fit,” he says.

One of the most requested services is transportation. Many seniors need more than a Uber. They also want someone to help them shop and unload bags or sit with them in a doctor’s waiting room. Papa Pals also help with technology, like teaching seniors how to set up Netflix or video chat with their grandkids. The service starts at $15 an hour and a premium membership option allows seniors to interview Papa Pals, pick a team of helpers and request same-day appointments.

Parker says Papa has plans to expand into at least five states next year. The startup also wants to build an ecosystem of senior services, so when customers start to need more intensive services like in-home care, Papa can refer them to its partners.

While there are apps like Honor that help seniors find in-home caregivers, Papa’s on-demand service is unique. Parker says one of the things that will help it maintain an advantage against any future startup competitors is its backend, which enables it to match seniors with available Papa Pals quickly, whether they use its app or phone number. Papa Pals see an in-app dashboard that lets them accept appointments, then provides them with requests made by seniors or their families. The system also manages traffic and logistics and algorithmically calculates compensation for Papa Pals (on average, Parker says they make $20 to $30 per visit, which typically last about three hours).

Papa is currently gearing up for the introduction of new Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits that will cover some of the services it offers, like transportation to medical appointments. The ruling will go into effect next year and Papa has begun initial discussions with providers of Medicare Advantage, which has about 20 million beneficiaries.

Papa is also expanding its business-to-business model by working with partners, including senior living facilities, to offer Papa Pal services to their residents.

“Papa’s mission for the long run is to support seniors and their families,” Parker says. “We see ourselves at the beginning of the process.”

Seniors over 65 are one of the fastest growing age groups in the United States, but they are still an underserved market. Many don’t need assisted living or in-home care, but they do need help with transportation and errands. Most of all, however, the elderly want companionship. Papa, a service that bills itself as “grandkids on-demand,” wants to fill the gap by connecting college students, called Papa Pals, with seniors.

Named in honor of founder and chief executive officer Andrew Parker’s grandfather, the Miami-headquartered startup is currently participating in Y Combinator’s accelerator program. Seniors can use Papa’s app (or a customer service line for those who don’t own a mobile device) to book a Papa Pal. Papa Pals might take seniors to the grocery store or doctor’s appointments, help with chores or teach them how to set up a new smartphone or tablet. They also provide company for seniors, many of whose own adult children or grandchildren are busy working or live far away. Papa is currently available in Florida and will began expanding into other states next year.

“What’s interesting is that people don’t always want to say they want companionship, even though their families say they do,” says Parker. “But when a visit ends up being six hours, that’s evident what it’s for.”

Before launching Papa, Parker was vice president of health systems at telehealth company MDLIVE. He lived near his grandfather, who had early onset dementia, and would often go over to help him with errands. One day, however, Parker was unable to go on a grocery run. Since his workload was increasing, Parker posted on Facebook for a helper. A woman named Andrea responded and after his family interviewed her and did a background check, she began assisting his grandfather regularly.

The experience made Parker realize there was a gap in the market for seniors who, like his grandfather, were mostly independent and don’t require a caregiver, but still needed occasional help from a trustworthy person. He decided to leave MDLIVE and began working on Papa to provide what he describes as “pre-care.”

Papa Pals are college students, many of whom are studying nursing, social work or hospitality. Before they are matched with seniors, Papa Pals undergo a background check and a motor vehicle records check and inspection. The company also asks them to complete a personality test. Parker describes the ideal Papa Pal as not only interested in working with seniors for career experience, but also outgoing, empathetic and patient.

“If you want to be a Papa Pal to make a couple extra dollars, then it’s probably not a good fit,” he says.

One of the most requested services is transportation. Many seniors need more than a Uber. They also want someone to help them shop and unload bags or sit with them in a doctor’s waiting room. Papa Pals also help with technology, like teaching seniors how to set up Netflix or video chat with their grandkids. The service starts at $15 an hour and a premium membership option allows seniors to interview Papa Pals, pick a team of helpers and request same-day appointments.

Parker says Papa has plans to expand into at least five states next year. The startup also wants to build an ecosystem of senior services, so when customers start to need more intensive services like in-home care, Papa can refer them to its partners.

While there are apps like Honor that help seniors find in-home caregivers, Papa’s on-demand service is unique. Parker says one of the things that will help it maintain an advantage against any future startup competitors is its backend, which enables it to match seniors with available Papa Pals quickly, whether they use its app or phone number. Papa Pals see an in-app dashboard that lets them accept appointments, then provides them with requests made by seniors or their families. The system also manages traffic and logistics and algorithmically calculates compensation for Papa Pals (on average, Parker says they make $20 to $30 per visit, which typically last about three hours).

Papa is currently gearing up for the introduction of new Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits that will cover some of the services it offers, like transportation to medical appointments. The ruling will go into effect next year and Papa has begun initial discussions with providers of Medicare Advantage, which has about 20 million beneficiaries.

Papa is also expanding its business-to-business model by working with partners, including senior living facilities, to offer Papa Pal services to their residents.

“Papa’s mission for the long run is to support seniors and their families,” Parker says. “We see ourselves at the beginning of the process.”