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What started as one grandson helping his Papa has grown into one of the most innovative companies in healthcare. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Andrew Parker, Founder and CEO of Papa, to unpack how a personal family moment sparked a nationwide movement to combat loneliness, support caregivers, and rethink how we care for aging adults.

Andrew’s story begins with a simple need many families recognize: his grandfather needed a little help and a little company. Instead of turning to traditional caregiving, Andrew asked a bigger question: What if companionship could be more accessible, more human, and more joyful? That idea became Papa, a platform connecting older adults with Papa Pals — or, as Andrew calls it, “grandkids on demand.”

In this episode, Andrew shares the early tests that shaped the business, what he got wrong, and how he iterated fast. He talks openly about building in a category where emotional connection matters as much as operations, and what it takes to serve some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

We also dive into scaling a mission-driven company: navigating rapid growth, evolving market conditions, working with major health plans, and leading with empathy while still executing with discipline. Andrew’s insights offer meaningful takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone interested in innovation at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and impact.

It’s a great reminder that category-defining companies don’t always come from radical disruption. Sometimes they come from lived experience, a clear problem, and the drive to build something that makes life better for millions of people.

If you’re interested in aging, healthcare innovation, or the story behind one of the fastest-growing mission-led startups in the country, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

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