Based: Louisville
Year founded: 2023
Founder(s)/top executives: Christi Mckim, CEO; Karim Elatroush, COO
Capital raised to date: $10,000
Key investors: Dr. Robert Thompson III
Number of employees: 2
Brief company description: Dais is the first application and web-based platform that provides on-demand, wheelchair-accessible and adaptive rideshare services exclusively for power or manual wheelchair users and individuals with limitations in mobility. Dais was founded to bring the same level of service that the general population has had access to through large rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, to a population that has been underserved and overlooked for many years. Our partners (drivers) will have specialty training and certifications to meet the unique needs of our riders.
What is your company working on right now? We are currently heavily focused on raising capital to prevent delays in the development of the mobile and web platform. We have raised approximately 40% of the total cost for mobile and web platform development and projected many additional fixed and variable costs that are necessary for a successful launch. In tandem with raising capital, we are working consistently and collaboratively with their software engineers to ensure timely development of a technologically intuitive interface with all necessary features and criteria included on the platform.
What’s on the horizon for your company in 2024? Official launch of Dais! The NineHertz engineer team projects completion of the mobile and web-based applications within four-five months. With capital attainment, Dais plans to launch in July.
Why grow your company in/from Kentucky? In addition to Louisville being the home of the founders, the area is ideal for launch of an innovative startup that focuses on the transportation needs of the disabled population. Named “America’s Aging Care Capital” by Forbes magazine, Louisville is a hub for professionals working in healthcare and aging care. The area’s older population is expected to increase by as much as 40% by 2050. Approximately12% of the Louisville Metro population depends on the use of a manual or power wheelchair.
