The project aims to lay the groundwork for Minders, an innovative on-demand platform designed to connect users with Personal Support Workers (PSW) and home cleaning services. With the increasing demand for flexible and high-quality senior care and home services, Minders seeks to address this need by providing a scalable solution. The project will focus on developing the essential components required to make Minders investor-ready and capable of supporting future growth. Key tasks include researching user needs, defining core platform features, and creating a preliminary business model. The goal is to ensure that Minders is well-positioned to enter the market and attract potential investors by demonstrating its viability and scalability.

Main Goal:

The primary objective of this project is to develop the key foundational elements required to launch Minders, an on-demand platform for Personal Support Worker (PSW) and home cleaning services. With a growing need for flexible, high-quality senior care and home services, this project will help us shape Minders into a scalable, investor-ready business.

Students will work collaboratively to deliver three comprehensive outputs:

1. A full marketing, financial, and business plan.
2. Detailed technical requirements for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
3. A professional pitch deck designed for investor presentations.
4. A comprehensive strategy for marketing and promotional activities for the app’s initial launch, addressing both consumer acquisition and PSW recruitment.

The project is designed to provide a structured, real-world opportunity where students can apply their academic knowledge to solve business challenges while developing valuable skills in market analysis, technical documentation, and strategic planning.

Project Description:

Welcome to Minders! We are excited to involve students in developing a platform that combines on-demand PSW services with home cleaning and other essential household solutions. This project focuses specifically on the PSW component, which seeks to address the needs of seniors who wish to live independently while receiving personalized support.

Students will engage with us to understand the platform’s concept and vision, assess the market potential, and create deliverables that capture the essence of Minders' value proposition and business strategy. This program offers students an unparalleled chance to gain hands-on experience while contributing meaningfully to the next stage of our development.

Minders Value Proposition:

Minders aims to redefine the home and senior care experience through an innovative on-demand platform that prioritizes personalization, convenience, and trust.

1. Personalized Care Matching: Minders uses intelligent algorithms to match seniors with Personal Support Workers (PSWs) based on their cultural background, language preferences, and specific care needs. This ensures comfort, trust, and a tailored care experience for both clients and caregivers.
2. Comprehensive Home Services: Beyond PSW support, Minders integrates cleaning services, yard work, home maintenance, and downsizing solutions to provide a one-stop platform for all home care needs. Customers benefit from a unified experience without needing to juggle multiple providers.
3. Flexibility and Accessibility: The platform offers both on-demand and subscription-based services, allowing users to book support when they need it most. This flexibility caters to a variety of lifestyles, from busy families to seniors requiring ongoing assistance.
4. Rigorous Quality Assurance: All PSWs and service providers undergo stringent onboarding processes, including background checks, certifications, and personal interviews, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality.
5. Empowering Families: Younger generations who care for elderly parents often lack the time or expertise to provide adequate support. Minders bridges this gap by delivering reliable, compassionate care that enables seniors to live independently in their own homes.

Project Scope and Expectations:

Main Tasks

During this project, students will:

1. Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan Perform market research on the Canadian PSW and senior care industries, including demographics, trends, and competitor analysis. Analyze financial feasibility, projecting revenue streams, expenses, and growth potential. Detail operational plans, including the recruitment and vetting process for PSWs, customer acquisition strategies, and long-term scalability.
2. Define MVP Technical Requirements Expand on the provided technology scope document to create a detailed technical blueprint. Identify user stories, workflows, and features for both the PSW and customer-facing interfaces. Include architecture recommendations, integration points, and system requirements to guide development.
3. Design a Professional Investor Pitch Deck Summarize the business concept, market opportunity, and technical scope in a visually compelling format. Include revenue projections, investment requirements, and potential ROI to appeal to investors. Align the deck with industry standards to present Minders as a credible and viable investment opportunity.
4. Develop a Marketing and Promotional Strategy for the App’s Initial Launch: Consumer Marketing Strategy: Outline tactics for acquiring and retaining initial users, including digital marketing campaigns (social media, SEO, PPC), partnerships with senior care organizations, and community engagement initiatives. Identify key promotional offers to attract early adopters, such as free trials, referral bonuses, and discounts for first-time users. PSW Recruitment Strategy: Create a detailed plan for attracting qualified PSWs to the platform, emphasizing the platform’s benefits, such as flexible schedules, competitive pay, and a supportive community. Suggest partnerships with training institutions, healthcare organizations, and employment agencies to build a robust recruitment pipeline.

Project Considerations

• Deliverables must reflect the insights and creativity of the student team while aligning with Minders’ strategic vision.
• Students should dedicate time to understanding the nuances of PSW services, including cultural and medical considerations, as well as the role technology plays in bridging service gaps.
• Students should also research other tech startups (Like Uber, Social Media Platforms) to understand how these companies were able to promote themselves successfully

Final Deliverables:

Students will provide the following:

1. Comprehensive Business Plan: A detailed Cloud Doc or PDF document outlining market analysis, financial projections, competitive landscape, barriers to entry, and operational strategies.
2. MVP Requirements Document: A robust technical document detailing user workflows, functional specifications, system architecture, and recommendations for the initial platform.
3. Investor Pitch Deck: A professional Canva or PDF presentation summarizing the business plan, MVP requirements, and financial model, designed to attract potential investors.
4. Marketing and Promotional Strategy Document: A strategic marketing plan that details how to attract and retain both consumers and PSWs, including suggested promotional activities and timelines.

Each deliverable should include a reflection note summarizing challenges faced and solutions implemented during the project.

Benefits for Students:

• Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience in market research, financial modeling, and technical scoping.
• Real-World Application: Work on a live project with tangible outcomes, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
• Professional Exposure: Engage directly with startup leaders and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of launching a tech-driven business.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Deliverables can be showcased (with permission) as part of the students' professional portfolio.

Employer Commitment:

Our company is fully committed to providing hands-on support to ensure the success of this project. This includes:

1. Initial Onboarding and Planning Meeting: A kickoff session with students to introduce the Minders concept, outline project objectives, and provide context for the deliverables.
2. Weekly Mentorship Calls: Dedicated weekly meetings to discuss progress, provide feedback, and address any questions or challenges.
3. Access to Resources: Provide all necessary documentation, including the current business plan and technical scope.
4. Ongoing Availability: Students will have open communication channels with the project team, ensuring timely responses and support throughout the engagement.

This project offers students a unique opportunity to work on a real-world problem with significant social and economic impact. We look forward to collaborating with you to bring Minders closer to market readiness and showcasing the transformative potential of on-demand PSW services.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!