myUDAAN
- India
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
myUDAAN is addressing the significant mobility challenges faced by people with disabilities (PwD) and the elderly. These individuals often struggle to access transportation and mobility assistance services, limiting their ability to move around independently and engage in daily activities. This problem is pervasive globally, affecting millions of people who require assistance due to physical disabilities, age-related limitations, or other mobility issues.
In India alone, there are over 26 million people with disabilities, according to the 2011 Census. Additionally, as the population ages, the demand for mobility assistance services is expected to rise. Factors contributing to this problem include inadequate infrastructure, limited accessibility features in public spaces, and a lack of specialized transportation options.
myUDAAN's solution leverages technology to provide on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair-accessible transportation services, and other mobility products to address these challenges. By offering a comprehensive mobility ecosystem, myUDAAN aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility and promote greater inclusion and accessibility in society.
myUDAAN is a comprehensive mobility solution designed to assist people with disabilities (PwD) and the elderly in accessing transportation and mobility services. It consists of a user-friendly mobile application that allows individuals to book on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair-accessible taxis, and other mobility products.
The app works by connecting users with trained wheelchair assistants who can provide support with boarding and disembarking from vehicles, navigating public spaces, and other mobility-related tasks. Additionally, users can book wheelchair-accessible taxis for convenient transportation to their desired destinations.
myUDAAN leverages technology to streamline the booking process, optimize route planning, and ensure timely assistance for users. By providing a seamless and accessible mobility experience, myUDAAN empowers individuals with limited mobility to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
myUDAAN serves individuals with disabilities (PwD) and the elderly who face mobility challenges due to various factors such as physical disabilities, aging, or temporary injuries. These individuals often encounter difficulties in accessing transportation and mobility assistance, leading to reduced independence and limited participation in social and economic activities.
The solution aims to impact their lives by providing convenient and accessible mobility services tailored to their specific needs. By offering on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair-accessible taxis, and other mobility products, myUDAAN enables users to overcome barriers to transportation and navigate public spaces with greater ease. This empowers them to lead more independent, active, and fulfilling lives, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life. Additionally, myUDAAN fosters inclusivity by creating a more accessible environment for individuals with limited mobility, promoting social integration and participation in community life.
The myUDAAN team is well-positioned to deliver the solution as we have firsthand experience and deep empathy for the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the elderly. Founder Ravindra Singh, who himself has post-polio paralysis, brings personal insight and understanding of the community's needs. Our diverse team comprises individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and advocates who provide valuable perspectives and contribute to the design and implementation of our solutions.
We prioritize community engagement and collaboration, seeking input and feedback from our target population at every stage of development. Through focus groups, user testing, and ongoing dialogue, we ensure that our solutions are tailored to address the specific needs and preferences of the communities we serve. This approach ensures that our solutions are not only relevant and effective but also empower our users to actively participate in shaping their mobility experiences.
- Increase access to and quality of health services for medically underserved groups around the world (such as refugees and other displaced people, women and children, older adults, and LGBTQ+ individuals).
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 5. Gender Equality
- 7. Affordable and Clean Energy
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Growth
We have selected the Growth Stage because myUDAAN has already built and tested its core solutions and demonstrated significant traction in the market. We have successfully developed and deployed our mobile app, providing on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair taxi services, and accessibility information to users. To date, we have served over 5,000 customers and beneficiaries across multiple cities in India. Our robust technology platform has been thoroughly tested and refined based on user feedback, ensuring a seamless and reliable experience for our users. Additionally, we have established strategic partnerships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and government agencies to expand our reach and impact further.
We are applying to Solve because we believe in its mission to drive innovation and solve global challenges. Specifically, we hope Solve can help us overcome key barriers such as access to funding, technical expertise, and market connections. While funding is a part of our needs, we also seek mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources that can support our solution's growth and scalability. Solve's extensive network of partners, experts, and resources can provide invaluable support in overcoming these barriers and accelerating the impact of our solution. Additionally, Solve's focus on collaboration and collective problem-solving aligns with our vision of creating meaningful change through technology and innovation.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
- Monitoring & Evaluation (e.g. collecting/using data, measuring impact)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
Our solution, myUDAAN, offers a pioneering approach to addressing mobility challenges faced by people with disabilities and elderly. Leveraging a comprehensive mobility ecosystem integrated into a user-friendly mobile app, myUDAAN provides on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair taxis, caregiver services, and accessible information—all powered by technology. This innovative solution promotes inclusivity and empowerment, enabling individuals to lead more independent lives. By showcasing the effectiveness of our integrated platform, we aim to inspire broader adoption of similar models and catalyze positive change in the mobility assistance space. With MIT Solve's support, we're confident in our ability to scale our impact and drive meaningful progress towards a more accessible and inclusive society."
Our solution, myUDAAN, is designed to address the challenge of limited mobility faced by people with disabilities in a practical and effective manner. By providing on-demand wheelchair assistance, wheelchair taxis, caregiver services, and accessible information through a user-friendly mobile app, myUDAAN aims to empower individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives. The theory of change behind myUDAAN is based on the belief that by enhancing accessibility and mobility options, individuals with disabilities can overcome barriers to participation in society, leading to improved well-being and quality of life. This theory is supported by research demonstrating the positive impact of accessible transportation and mobility assistance on social inclusion, health outcomes, and overall satisfaction among people with disabilities. Through our solution, we expect to see immediate outputs such as increased access to transportation and assistance services, leading to longer-term outcomes such as greater participation in social activities, improved access to healthcare, and enhanced overall quality of life for our target population.
Our impact goals for myUDAAN are centered around improving the quality of life and social inclusion of people with disabilities. Specifically, we aim to achieve the following:
Increased Access to Mobility: We strive to ensure that individuals with disabilities have easy access to transportation and mobility assistance whenever they need it.
Enhanced Independence: We aim to empower our users to lead more independent lives by providing them with the tools and support they need to navigate their daily activities with confidence.
Improved Social Inclusion: We seek to promote greater social inclusion by facilitating the participation of people with disabilities in community events, social gatherings, and other activities.
Better Health Outcomes: We aspire to contribute to improved health outcomes among our users by ensuring timely access to healthcare facilities and services.
To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we track various indicators such as:
- Number of wheelchair assistance bookings made through the myUDAAN app
- Percentage of users reporting increased independence and mobility
- Frequency of user engagement in social activities and community events
- Access to healthcare facilities and services facilitated through myUDAAN
- User satisfaction and feedback on the quality and effectiveness of our services
By monitoring these indicators and collecting feedback from our users, we can assess the effectiveness of our solution in achieving our impact goals and identify areas for improvement.
myUDAAN aligns with multiple SDGs:
SDG No. 5 (Gender Equality): By providing inclusive mobility solutions, myUDAAN promotes gender equality, enabling women and men to access opportunities without discrimination.
SDG No. 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The use of technology and efficient resource management in myUDAAN's services supports clean energy initiatives, reducing environmental impact.
SDG No. 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): myUDAAN creates employment opportunities for caregivers and drivers, contributing to economic growth and decent work for individuals in this sector.
SDG No. 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): myUDAAN helps build accessible and inclusive communities, making urban areas more sustainable and livable for everyone
The core technology powering myUDAAN is our mobile application, which serves as the central platform connecting individuals with disabilities to a wide range of mobility assistance services. Built using state-of-the-art app development frameworks and technologies, our platform leverages the power of smartphones to provide users with on-demand access to wheelchair assistants, accessible transportation options, and other mobility products and services. Additionally, we utilize GPS technology to enable real-time tracking and coordination of assistance requests, ensuring timely and efficient support for our users. Our platform is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with intuitive interfaces and features tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. By harnessing the capabilities of modern mobile technology, we are able to deliver impactful solutions that enhance the mobility and independence of our users, ultimately improving their quality of life.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
- Manufacturing Technology
- Software and Mobile Applications
- India
- India
- United States
Our solution team consists of 6 full-time staff members, 80 part-time staff members, and a variable number of contractors or other workers depending on project needs.
We have been working on our solution for 3 years.
We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within our team to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all members. Our leadership team reflects a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, contributing to innovative solutions and decision-making processes. We have set goals for increasing diversity within our team and implementing inclusive practices at all levels of our organization. To achieve these goals, we regularly review our hiring practices, provide diversity and inclusion training, and actively seek feedback from team members to address any barriers to opportunity. Additionally, we promote open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration to ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique insights and talents.
Our business model revolves around providing comprehensive mobility solutions to individuals with limited mobility, including people with disabilities and the elderly. We offer a range of services such as on-demand wheelchair assistance, accessible transportation, caregiver services, and mobility products. Through our single epicenter app, users can easily access and book these services as per their requirements. We generate revenue through service bookings, product sales, and partnerships with healthcare institutions and organizations. Our model focuses on delivering value by enhancing mobility, independence, and accessibility for our users, thereby improving their quality of life.
Our revenue model is designed to be versatile and sustainable, incorporating multiple streams to ensure financial stability and growth. The primary source of revenue stems from mobility assistant bookings, catering to both short and long durations, providing a flexible solution to our users. Another significant revenue stream is derived from wheelchair taxi bookings, offering accessible transportation services. Additionally, we generate income through the sale of VGO sharing and various other mobility products, enhancing our offerings.
Our commitment to transparency is reflected in our pricing structure, ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the costs associated with our services before making bookings. This transparency fosters trust and customer satisfaction.
Moreover, our financial performance indicators showcase the sound financial health of our business. With a gross margin of 28%, a net margin of 14%, and positive EBITA, we demonstrate not only revenue generation but also effective cost management and operational efficiency. As we continue to expand our operations and reach new markets, we anticipate substantial revenue growth. This growth will be driven by an increase in customer acquisition and retention, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of our business model. By diversifying our revenue streams and maintaining a customer-centric approach, we aim to build a robust and sustainable financial foundation for myUDAAN's future.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
Our plan for achieving financial sustainability revolves around diversifying our revenue streams and ensuring that our income covers our operational expenses. We generate revenue through various channels, including service bookings, product sales, partnerships, and potential investment opportunities. By offering valuable mobility solutions to our users and forming strategic partnerships with healthcare institutions and organizations, we aim to secure sustained revenue streams.
To date, we have successfully generated revenue through service bookings and product sales. Additionally, we have received grants and funding support from philanthropic organizations and government initiatives. These funding sources have enabled us to expand our operations, develop innovative solutions, and reach more individuals with limited mobility. As we continue to grow and scale our impact, we remain committed to implementing sustainable financial practices and leveraging opportunities for revenue generation.