Making Every Commute Safer
Communicare, a Prototype From Students at Touro’s Graduate School of Technology, Helps Users Navigate Emergencies in Real Time
For Santosh Panyala '25, Shivraj Konkipudi '24, and Dileep Mada '25—students at Touro University’s Graduate School of Technology—the idea for CommuniCare wasn’t just a class project. It was a response to a real-world problem: how to help people navigate emergencies as they unfold.
CommuniCare is a mobile safety platform designed to help users avoid danger and make informed decisions during critical moments. Drawing on data from mapping services and fellow commuters, the app alerts users to potential hazards and recommends safer routes from point A to point B.
“If you’re in a city like New York and there’s a disruption—an accident, a delay, or something unclear—the app reroutes you based on live data,” said Mada. “In India, where I’m from, it can take 20 to 40 minutes for first responders to arrive. This is about empowering people before help gets there.”
The app also allows users to tag hazards, creating a crowdsourced safety network. “If you notice something, you can report it immediately—and others will be notified,” Mada explained. “It creates a feedback loop that puts the community in control.”
As their idea developed, the team faced real-world hurdles: budgeting, market strategy, and business modeling. They turned to Touro’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) and joined the Moonshots Scholars Program under the guidance of Dr. Gavin Goldstein. “We had the concept, but we didn’t know how to turn it into a venture,” said Mada. “That’s where GSB made a huge difference—Dr. Goldstein and others gave us frameworks, connections, and encouragement.”
With that support, the team entered the 2025 New York Business Plan Competition and advanced to the state finals, alongside teams from Columbia, John Jay, and St. John’s. Their pitch wasn’t just a product—it was a mission: using technology to boost community safety and resilience.
Though they brought strong technical skills, their business acumen had to grow fast. “We weren’t fully prepared at first,” said Mada. “But with guidance from Touro faculty, we were able to shape our idea and get competition-ready.”
The team refined their pitch deck, practiced presentations, and incorporated expert feedback. CommuniCare remains in development, with plans to integrate wearable technology like Apple Tags and continue expanding features.
“This competition gave us the chance to build something meaningful,” Mada said. “We’re excited to see where it goes next.”
