Belgian start-up linking students with elderly people raises one million euros
Maurice & Nora, an Antwerp-based start-up connecting elderly people and families with students for non-medical home care, has raised one million euros in fresh funding, the company announced on Wednesday.
Founded as a social-impact start-up, Maurice & Nora positions itself as a technology-driven platform aimed at easing growing pressure on families and the care sector by linking screened students with people in need of practical day-to-day support.
“We are presenting a societal story regarding the pressure of care and meaningful student jobs,” said CEO Thomas Butstraen. “The need for reliable, flexible help for families and seniors is particularly great. With this funding round, we aim to build the company into a fixture in Belgium and, eventually, beyond.”
One year after its launch, the platform says it now works with more than 3,000 students, 2,000 private clients and over ten employers. The service is active across Flanders and Brussels and guarantees help within 48 hours when booked in advance.
Elderly users can turn to the platform for help with groceries, transport, gardening, light household tasks and companionship, while families use it for after-school childcare, homework support and babysitting. The company says all students are screened beforehand and matched according to needs, schedules and even shared interests.
Maurice & Nora also partners with employers, offering the service as an employee wellbeing benefit aimed at reducing care-related stress and absenteeism.
AI programming
The entire matching process is handled through the company’s own digital platform, which uses artificial intelligence technology. According to the start-up, AI is used to streamline matching, planning and customer support, including voice-assisted services for less digitally confident users.
“Thanks to AI programming, a handful of people today build what used to require a full team of engineers,” Butstraen added. “And with voice technology that helps customers over the phone, you handle work that previously required an entire call centre. We show how to use this technological revolution not to replace people, but to make human connection accessible on a large scale.”
#FlandersNewsService | © IMAGEBROKER
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