In rural America, innovation is solving real problems for real people.

That’s why the Green Mountain Accelerator Fund (GMAF), managed by the Center on Rural Innovation, has invested $100,000 in Tuktu Care as part of a $200,000 funding round to launch and scale the company in Vermont. The investment is matched by Sendari Family Office and marks an important step toward bringing tech-enabled, community-driven caregiving to one of the country’s most rural states, which has the second-highest share of older residents.

Through GMAF and the Green Mountain Launchpad, CORI is committed to backing founders who are building scalable solutions rooted in local needs. Tuktu Care is exactly that.

A Rural Solution to a Growing Challenge

Vermont’s demographic reality is clear: a rapidly aging population, vast rural geography, and families balancing work, caregiving, and community life. Traditional home-care systems often struggle to meet these needs in a flexible and affordable way.

Tuktu approaches caregiving differently.

Aging People and Rural Towns

Founded by Rustam Sengupta after his own experience caring for a father with dementia, Tuktu connects families with local, vetted caregivers for everyday support: shopping, transportation, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship.

Using AI-powered matching technology, the platform pairs individuals based on language, preferences, skills, and personality—making care more personalized and more human.

And importantly for rural communities, Tuktu’s model creates flexible earning opportunities for local residents, keeping dollars and relationships within the community.

Why GMAF Invested

Our vision is clear: rural communities can build inclusive, tech-enabled economies where people and ideas thrive. We invest in high-growth companies solving meaningful problems in large, expanding industries.

We look for companies that:

  • Are based in a rural community
  • Address clear, validated customer demand
  • Leverage technology to deliver differentiated value
  • Demonstrate strong unit economics and a path to scale
  • Have the potential to grow well beyond a single region

Tuktu stood out for its proven traction, repeatable model, and opportunity to scale across similarly situated markets. The company has already demonstrated demand and operational success, and we believe its technology-enabled approach to caregiving positions it for substantial growth.

As Melissa Merkel-Dallaryan, MPH, Impact Investing Manager at CORI, shared:

"The Green Mountain Accelerator Fund invests in innovative solutions that strengthen Vermont's rural communities. 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.”

This investment reflects CORI’s broader strategy: pairing capital with ecosystem support to help rural founders build successful companies from the towns they love. Through the Green Mountain Launchpad, Tuktu will gain access not only to funding but also to technical assistance and a network of partners committed to rural innovation.

Technology Designed for Community

Tuktu has already built a thriving network in Canada, serving more than 4,000 customers through over 300 providers. Now, Vermont becomes the next proving ground.

Aging people and rural towns

What makes Tuktu stand out is its balance of technology and empathy:

  • Task-based care focused on real, everyday needs
  • Local providers who understand their community context
  • Culturally aware AI matching to ensure compatibility
  • Comprehensive safety standards, including background checks and insurance coverage

When technology is designed thoughtfully, it can unlock the real power of community. It can build trust. It can create meaningful work. It can make care more accessible.

That’s the kind of innovation rural America deserves.

Building the Future of Rural Care

This $200,000 round is part of a larger $600,000 raise to expand Tuktu across New England. For CORI, it’s another example of how strategic rural investment can accelerate economic opportunity while improving quality of life.

Rural innovation isn’t about replicating urban tech hubs. It’s about solving the challenges unique to rural places, with solutions built by and for those communities.

Rural markets are often misunderstood—not because they lack opportunity, but because they require solutions tailored to their realities. Companies that understand these dynamics can build durable competitive advantages and expand into other regions facing similar conditions.

Tuktu’s relocation to Vermont is an important step in scaling a model that has already shown traction and signals that rural states can lead in building new models of care, powered by technology and grounded in neighbor-to-neighbor connection. With aging populations increasing nationwide and demand for flexible caregiving options rising, we believe Tuktu is positioned to capture significant market share as it grows.

At GMAF, we invest where we see the potential for meaningful scale and long-term value creation. Tuktu represents that opportunity.

Get Involved

Vermonters interested in joining Tuktu’s statewide beta, whether as care recipients, family members, or local providers, can learn more at Tuktu.us or download the Tuktu app to create a free account.

We believe rural communities are not waiting for the future. They are building it.

And we’re proud to invest alongside them.