At VEST Her Ventures, our mission has always been to support and invest in businesses that create meaningful solutions for women professionals, working families, caregivers and inclusive employers.
That’s why we invested in Apiari—a platform that not only simplifies how families find reliable, high-quality caregivers but also goes a step further by empowering caregivers to become financially stable, independent, and sustainable business owners. It’s a bold vision that addresses the interconnected challenges faced by both families and caregivers, and it’s why we believe Apiari is uniquely positioned to make a profound impact.
The Problem: A Broken Care Economy
The care economy is at a breaking point. Families, particularly working women, are shouldering an outsized burden of caregiving responsibilities, often at the expense of their mental health, career progression, and overall well-being.
Simultaneously, caregivers—the essential workforce in this space—face a lack of financial security, low pay, and limited resources to professionalize their work. Many are women, immigrants and people of color, further exacerbating systemic inequities. These challenges create a cycle of stress, instability, and missed opportunities for families and caregivers alike.
This care crisis is taking a significant toll on the U.S. economy. According to a report by Boston Consulting Group, the United States loses an estimated $290 billion annually due to the challenges and inefficiencies within our caregiving systems.
The Solution: Apiari’s Holistic Approach
Apiari tackles these challenges head-on with a platform that is designed to address the needs of both families and caregivers.
For Families: Apiari provides a streamlined solution for finding vetted, high-quality caregivers, whether for childcare, elder care, or household management. Their proprietary matching system ensures families can find professionals whose skills, schedules, and values align with their unique needs.
For Caregivers: Apiari goes beyond the traditional marketplace model by focusing on empowering caregivers to build sustainable businesses. They provide tools, resources, and support to help caregivers:
Earn Fair Wages: Apiari advocates for fair compensation, ensuring caregivers are paid what they’re worth.
Build Financial Independence: With integrated financial tools and education, caregivers can budget, save, and work toward long-term stability.
Develop Professional Skills: Apiari offers training and resources to help caregivers enhance their services, improve client relationships, and grow their businesses.
Achieve Sustainability: By helping caregivers manage their workload, income, and career trajectory, Apiari empowers them to thrive as independent business owners.
This holistic approach is what sets Apiari apart—it doesn’t just solve one side of the care equation; it creates lasting solutions for both caregivers and families.
Innovation Backed by Trust
Apiari’s platform isn’t just tech for the sake of tech—it’s designed with purpose and people in mind. By leveraging technology, Apiari provides a seamless experience that builds trust and transparency:
Families gain access to highly vetted caregivers, ensuring safety, reliability, and peace of mind.
Caregivers are empowered with tools that help them establish credibility, grow their client base, and manage their business more effectively.
This thoughtful, human-centered design fosters confidence and loyalty from both sides, creating a foundation for long-term success.
Why This Matters
At VEST Her, we know that empowering women professionals means addressing the barriers that hold them back—and caregiving responsibilities are among the biggest hurdles. Apiari provides a solution that frees up time and mental energy for families while creating opportunities for caregivers to thrive.
We were especially drawn to Apiari’s commitment to creating systemic change within the care economy:
They prioritize fair wages, professional development, and financial independence for caregivers, helping them build sustainable careers.
They reduce the invisible workload that disproportionately falls on women, enabling families to achieve greater work-life balance.
By addressing these pain points, Apiari is not just creating a marketplace—it’s building a new, more equitable model for the care economy.
Founders with a Mission
Apiari’s founders, Yi-Hsian Godfrey and Ming Zeng, know firsthand the challenges of balancing career and caregiving. Their personal experiences as women professionals and caregivers informed their vision to create a platform that solves systemic problems for both sides of the care equation.
Yi-Hsian and Mings leadership is grounded in empathy and innovation. They understand that supporting caregivers isn’t just an ethical responsibility—it’s essential to building a sustainable ecosystem of care. Her vision for Apiari is bold yet deeply human, making them founders we are proud to champion.
Check out this VEST Her Podcast episode featuring Yi-Hsian Godfrey, where she shares the inspiration behind Apiari and how it's transforming the care economy.
Looking Ahead
We’re thrilled to support Apiari in their mission to transform the care industry. Their innovative platform has the potential to improve the lives of countless families while empowering caregivers to achieve stability and independence.
At VEST Her, we believe that investments like these drive meaningful change, helping to build a future where women, families, and caregivers can all thrive.
If Apiari’s mission resonates with you, we encourage you to learn more by connecting with Yi-Hsian and Ming. Together, we can create a care economy that works for everyone.