Kindship

Kindship operates as a social networking platform specifically designed for parents raising children with disabilities, delays, or neurodivergence. Founded in 2019 by Summer and Christo Foden, the company's genesis stems directly from their personal experiences raising their son, Max, who has a rare genetic condition. This firsthand understanding of the isolation and challenges faced by such families provides the core mission for the platform. Summer Foden's background as a journalist and Christo's experience in digital transformation have been instrumental in shaping the company's development and securing its initial funding.

The platform functions as a private, moderated community, connecting parents based on their child's specific diagnosis, age, and geographic location, creating a space for peer-to-peer support. Kindship's primary service is a mobile application that facilitates these connections, allowing users to find and chat with others who have similar lived experiences. A key feature within the app is the 'Kindship Ko-fi' digital wallet, which enables parents to receive financial gifts and support from their network. The business model has evolved to include the Kindship Card, a VISA debit card linked to this wallet. This card is notable for offering cash-back rewards on purchases and access to discounts from brands relevant to the community. The company's market focus is the disability support ecosystem, which includes not only families but also service providers under Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Revenue is generated through interchange fees from the Kindship Card transactions and by charging NDIS-registered providers a subscription fee to connect with and offer their services to the platform's user base.

Milestones for Kindship include winning the 'Best New Idea' category at the 2019 Telstra Business Awards for their initial concept and securing significant investment. The company has raised capital from notable investors, including a $1.1 million seed round led by The Jagen Group and an additional $2.5 million pre-Series A round, with plans to expand its user base and service offerings. The long-term vision is to establish Kindship as a comprehensive marketplace and financial services hub for the disability community in Australia.

Keywords: social support network, disability community, parental support, NDIS, peer-to-peer support, fintech, caregiver resources, social enterprise, assistive technology, community marketplace