DUOS: Tech for Seniors – INVEST Pitch Perfect Spotlight
- population aged 65 and older is projected to reach 82 million, a meaningful jump from 58 million in 2022.
- DUOS recently won the health tech consumer/employer track at MedCity News’ INVEST Pitch Perfect contest.
- Karl Ulfers, CEO and co-founder of DUOS, said the company focuses on using technology to automate coverage for older adults' health-related social needs.
DUOS, a tech-driven company, is reshaping the senior care role by simplifying healthcare navigation for older adults. They connect seniors with vital resources and support systems, a service particularly critical as the U.S.elderly population continues to grow. DUOS recently dominated the INVEST Pitch Perfect contest, showcasing its innovative approach to care coordination. CEO Karl Ulfers highlights the company’s focus on using technology to automate coverage and meet social needs like transportation and housing. This helps older adults and caregivers. DUOS partners with health plans such as Humana,and has secured meaningful funding. This positions them well to address the growing needs of the senior population. Read on News Directory 3 for news on healthcare tech. Discover what’s next for their expanding initiatives.
DUOS Aims to Simplify Healthcare Access and the Senior Care Role
Updated June 16, 2025
By 2050, the U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to reach 82 million, a meaningful jump from 58 million in 2022. navigating healthcare can be particularly challenging for this demographic. DUOS, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, seeks to address this issue by offering a technology-driven service that supports Medicare Advantage plans, connecting older adults and their caregivers with essential resources and care.
DUOS recently won the health tech consumer/employer track at MedCity News’ INVEST Pitch Perfect contest. The company stood out among six startups focused on care navigation and coordination.
Karl Ulfers, CEO and co-founder of DUOS, said the company focuses on using technology to automate coverage for older adults’ health-related social needs. “We want them to have more life in the years that they actually get to experience,” Ulfers said,emphasizing the importance of access to transportation and safe housing.
When DUOS partners with a health plan, it engages with members through various channels to inform them about available benefits. Members can then identify their key social determinants of health and care needs,such as food or transportation. DUOS then connects them with relevant resources and providers based on their coverage and location.
Ulfers illustrated this with the example of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). DUOS can identify eligible older adults, answer their questions, complete their SNAP applications, obtain digital signatures, and submit the applications to state or county officials.
DUOS also aggregates member data to provide actionable insights to its health plan clients, improving the overall quality of care and the senior care role.
Derek Mazur, a director at Cedar Pine and an investor judge at the Pitch Perfect contest, said DUOS won as it provides family caregivers with transparency, saves them time, and offers peace of mind. “DUOS appears to be unlocking this capacity,” mazur said.
DUOS has raised approximately $30 million from investors, including Forerunner Ventures and Primetime Partners. The company partners with Humana to support veteran seniors and has expanded into prescription drug plans and Medicaid.
Ulfers said DUOS’ support is crucial as government plans face changes due to federal budget cuts. he anticipates confusion in Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, and Medicaid, and aims for DUOS to be a “voice of simplicity and access” for older adults.
While companies like mPulse and Cleo offer similar services, Ulfers noted that health plans themselves are often DUOS’ main competitors.
What’s next
DUOS plans to continue expanding its partnerships with health plans and government programs to reach more older adults and simplify their access to healthcare and social support services, solidifying its role in the healthcare ecosystem.