The Mobility Crisis: A growing concern 

First, let’s set the stage. In the U.S., there were 3.3 million wheelchair users in 2016, and this number is expected to grow by 2 million new users per year. The problem? Transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs is a significant challenge, affecting not just the patients but also the caregivers. The cost of back injuries in healthcare alone is a staggering $20 billion. 

The Problem: The struggle of transfers 

The current solutions for transferring patients are far from ideal. They often require physical force, are time-consuming, and put both the patient and the caregiver at risk. This has led to a reduced quality of life for millions of mobility-impaired individuals and has put caregivers at risk for chronic pain and injury. In the US, the compensations for such injuries reach $ 20 million dollars annually.

Introducing UpLyft: A Revolution in Patient Transfer 

UpLyft is here to change the game. This FDA-compliant system uses motorized “finger panels” that wrap around the patient’s thighs and torso, allowing for a smooth, safe, and quick transfer from bed to wheelchair and vice versa. The best part? No caregiver is required, no physical effort is needed, and the transfer time is under 2 minutes.

What impressed us even more, is the personal story of Anton, UpLyft’s founder. After a friend of his became paraplegic following a bicycle accident, he began to look for a solution to make it easier for the parents in charge of the kid’s care. Five years and nine prototypes later, the product has reached its final form, and the founders are completing their mission to “restore the independence of those suffering from mobility problems and to protect those who take care of them, avoiding injuries caused by manual lifting of patients”.

The Market: A sea of Opportunity 

The U.S. home market is massive, with over 3 million people requiring daily assistance for bed transfers. Add to that more than 15,500 skilled nursing facilities and 65,600 regulated long-term care facilities, and you’ve got a market ripe for disruption. The U.S. home healthcare market alone was valued at $88.50 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $153.19 billion by 2029. The numbers speak for themselves. 

Why Now? The urgency of the situation 

With 61 million adults in the U.S. living with a disability and an aging population, the need for a solution like UpLyft has never been more urgent. Every day until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65, and a majority of them will require long-term care. Plus, let’s not forget the caregivers; over 52% report chronic back pain due to patient lifting. The time for a solution is now. 

The Team: The brains behind the operation 

What really got us excited was the UpLyft team. Led by a CEO with over 20 years of executive experience and a VP of Engineering and manufacturing with a knack for new product design, this team is poised to make a significant impact. Their collective experience in healthcare, aerospace, and business strategy is nothing short of impressive.