Miami Startup Papa Launches Direct-to-Consumer Companionship Model for Seniors
Miami-based startup Papa, founded by Andrew Parker, is reintroducing its direct-to-consumer (DTC) service model, connecting older adults with trained companions, known as Papa Pals. This service, which offers rides, light household help, tech support, and social connection, was the company's original business model in 2017. The DTC offering allows families to book assistance for as little as an hour, contrasting with traditional home care agencies that often require steep weekly hourly minimums. The service is priced at $30 per hour and initially soft-launched in South Florida and Phoenix, with plans for expansion across more metropolitan markets in 10 states, including Oregon, Nevada, New York, and New Jersey. Papa has a network of approximately 100,000 onboarded Pals, with about 10,000 active at any given time, built through its enterprise partnerships with Medicare Advantage and commercial health plans. This existing infrastructure facilitates rapid expansion into new markets. 
