Green Mountain Accelerator Fund and Sendari Family Office invest in a tech-driven solution addressing the aging population's needs
Vermont Business Magazine Tuktu Care Inc., a community-powered care platform connecting families with local, vetted caregivers, has announced it has secured $200,000 in funding to support its expansion into Vermont. The investment comes from Green Mountain Accelerator Fund (GMAF), managed by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) in Vermont, which contributed $100,000, matched by an equal investment from Sendari Family Office. GMAF is part of the Green Mountain Launchpad, a Vermont-focused startup catalyst supporting pre-seed and early-stage founders with capital access, technical assistance, and ecosystem connectivity.
The funding will accelerate Tuktu's Vermont beta launch and support its mission to transform how communities care for one another through technology-enabled, personalized support services. The $200,000 in funding is part of a larger effort to raise $600,000 to scale Tuktu across New England.
Founded by Rustam Sengupta, based on his experience caring for a father with dementia, Tuktu has built a thriving network of over 300 providers serving 4,000 customers across Canada. The platform matches individuals needing support with local caregivers for everyday tasks, including shopping, cleaning, cooking, transportation, and companionship through an AI-powered intelligent matchmaking system.
"This investment validates our vision that technology can strengthen communities by connecting neighbors who want to help with those who need support," said Rustam Sengupta, Founder of Tuktu. "Vermont shares many of the same challenges we've addressed in Canada – rural communities, an aging population, and families balancing work with caregiving responsibilities. We're excited to partner with organizations that understand these challenges and are committed to supporting Vermont's aging population.”
Tuktu is proud to partner with value-based investors such as CORI and Sendari to advance community support tools that make non-medical care more affordable, personalized, and safe.
Addressing Vermont's Caregiving Challenge
Vermont's demographic trends highlight the urgent need for innovative caregiving solutions. With one of the nation's oldest populations and a largely rural geography, Vermont families increasingly struggle to find reliable, affordable, and personalized care for aging loved ones.
Tuktu differentiates itself from traditional home-care agencies through its community-driven model, which offers:
- Task-based care focused on specific needs beyond generic companionship
- Local providers who understand community context and can accommodate shorter, flexible assignments
- Culturally diverse matching using proprietary AI technology that considers language, preferences, skills, and character traits
- Comprehensive safety measures, including criminal background checks, reference verification, and insurance coverage
"The Green Mountain Accelerator Fund invests in innovative solutions that strengthen Vermont's rural communities," said Melissa Merkel-Dallaryan, MPH, impact investing manager at the Center on Rural Innovation. "Tuktu's proven track record in Canada and their community-first approach make them an ideal partner for addressing Vermont's caregiving challenges while creating flexible earning opportunities for local providers.”
“We have had the privilege of working closely with Tuktu for the past year and a half as investors in Canada, and what they have built during that time has been truly impressive,” said a representative from the Sendari Family Office. “Tuktu has shown that when technology is designed with empathy and rooted in local relationships, it can unlock the real power of community. We have seen firsthand how their platform strengthens trust, creates meaningful work, and delivers practical support to families. We are excited to support Tuktu as they bring this proven, community-driven model to Vermont.”
Call to Action
Vermonters interested in joining Tuktu's beta program – either as care recipients, family members, or care providers – can sign up by visiting Tuktu.us or downloading the Tuktu app to create a free account.
About Tuktu Care Inc.
Tuktu is a community-powered care platform that connects individuals who need everyday support with safe, local, and friendly companions. Built by caregivers and engineers with successful startup experience, Tuktu uses AI-powered matchmaking technology to deliver personalized, affordable care while strengthening community networks. The platform serves over 4,000 customers across Canada and is expanding into the U.S. Northeast. For more information, visit Tuktu.us.
BURLINGTON, VT – February 12, 2026 – Tuktu Care Inc.
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