Improving quality of life for vulnerable family members
Tuktu is a safe and personalized marketplace for on-demand, at-home services for seniors and other vulnerable groups. The platform connects and smartly matches recipients and family members with verified helpers from the community for services like companionship, tech help, rides, light housekeeping, gardening, kitchen assistance, personal shopping, admin support, and more.
Supporting family members from a distance can be challenging and complicated. The at-home care industry is often fragmented, rigid, and expensive, and offers limited digital products for families to get visibility on a family member’s needs, financial spend required for care, and quality of service. The industry also does not currently take advantage of the abundant talent that may be available in the community, since traditional business models have been constrained by relying on full-time caregivers. With more people aging and struggling to access everyday services, this is a big problem for many families.
Early adoption driving user growth
With the official launch of Tuktu services in early 2022, Tuktu has seen over 230 customers and providers start using the platform. The team has found great product-market fit, driving interest in the platform from users, service providers, and attracting the attention of investors. Without investing in much marketing, the team is seeing 60% month over month user growth from word of mouth. The team has seen early user traction with over 400 services registered on the platform, and are on track to expand to 8 cities across British Columbia. In fact, the company has nearly 150 friendly and safe companions offering services in the lower mainland already, and hope to expand to all of BC by end of Q3 2022.
This year Tuktu was named the winner of the 2022 BC Women’s Startup Showcase. The team raised $750k in pre-seed funding and are now looking forward to a successful seed round. They plan to scale by partnering with local organizations working with seniors and vulnerable groups, helping them extend their services and utilizing the talent in their communities using technology.
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Keeping the growth going
With their recent successes, Tuktu is ensuring that they remain focused on their core values: trust and quality. Their primary focus is to onboard good quality service providers and foster partnerships to scale operations, while ensuring quality and personalization of services.
When asked about the best business advice he has received thus far, CEO Rustam Sengupta quips, "Never shy away from experimenting. The key is to be agile and constantly optimize until you hit your goal. Also, great companies are built when each of the team members think beyond ‘me’. Only then can a venture's journey become inclusive."
About the founders
Rustam Sengupta, CEO & Founder
- Education: Engineering and Business. Serial Entrepreneur with a successful series B exit from last venture. Last role - Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).
- Fun Fact: Cooks to rewind, loves throwing parties
Komal Makkad, Head of Marketing, Founding Team
- Education:MBA, Background in Business (Marketing and brand). Expert in marketing and communication, partnerships and customer onboarding.
- Fun Fact: Loves dogs, avid traveler
Daniela yli-kiikka, Head of Design, Founding Team
- Education: Award-winning designer with background in human cognitive design and gaming.
Cheat sheet
- City: Vancouver
- Founding date: 01/29/2019
- Type of tech: Curated, peer-driven service marketplace for seniors and vulnerable groups.
