Startup Spotlight: Porchlight uses AI to help foster human connection in senior care

What happened

Startup Spotlight Porchlight Patrick Donahue, Founder Founded 2026 · Seattle area Funding raised None. With the tap of a single button on a device, a resident hears a prompt, records their memories, and lets the platform automatically generate a concise "Know Your Resident" briefing for care staff, as well as a private audio feed for family members.

Porchlight founder Patrick Donahue’s parents worked in medicine, and hospice care was part of his family’s life. They might be caring for a former machinist, a retired dancer, or a veteran, but in the rush of daily care, those life stories are often left behind.

Seattle-area software engineer Patrick Donahue wants to bridge that gap. He proved that ordinary people telling their own stories is worth building something around.