Onward Rides

About Onward Rides

Onward Rides operates as a specialized transportation provider focused on the healthcare sector, addressing transportation as a social determinant of health. The company was co-founded by Mike P. Lewis and Nader Akhnoukh in 2018, with Kim Petty later joining as co-founder and taking on the CEO role. The founders' journey began from personal experiences with aging family members, which highlighted a gap in services for older adults who wished to age in place. Lewis, previously at Airbnb, and Akhnoukh, who co-founded two successful tech companies with Lewis prior to Onward, leveraged their backgrounds in technology and product development to tackle this challenge.

The company's business model centers on two primary offerings: a direct-to-consumer service and a B2B platform for healthcare organizations. For individuals, Onward provides its signature "Companion Rides," a door-through-door service where drivers assist passengers from inside their homes to their destinations. This service is designed for older adults, individuals with disabilities, or those with cognitive and mobility impairments who require more support than typical rideshare services offer. Clients can book rides via a mobile app, website, or by phone. The B2B offering is a transportation management software platform for healthcare systems, PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs, and transit agencies. This platform allows care coordinators to order, manage, and track various levels of transportation for their patients from a single interface, integrating with partners like the VA Health System, UCSF Health, and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Revenue is generated through ride fees, which can be paid by individuals or covered by partner healthcare organizations, and likely through software subscription fees for its management platform.

Onward's core service distinguishes itself by training its "Companion Drivers" to handle mobility aids, provide physical assistance, and offer companionship. Drivers are trained in first aid, CPR, and dementia support, addressing a key need for safety and trust. The service platform includes features like an algorithm for matching riders with suitable drivers, the ability to request a favorite driver for recurring appointments, and real-time ride notifications for family members or caregivers. This high-touch approach has been shown to reduce clinic no-shows and decrease the time healthcare staff spend coordinating transportation. Initially launched in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company has since expanded its operations to Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.