Building Bonds Beyond Barriers – The Inspiring Journey of Buddy Up Founders, Gopika and Moneisha

In this month’s Success Story segment, we bring you a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and purpose. A journey led by two inspiring mothers who turned their personal challenges into a movement that celebrates connection and inclusion. Meet Gopika Kapoor and Moneisha Nagar, co-founders of Buddy Up, a unique social platform designed to help people with disabilities build friendships, communities, and a true sense of belonging. Their story is not just about creating an app it’s about building hope, breaking isolation, and redefining what inclusion really means.

Meet the Founders: Moneisha and Gopika

Moneisha shares, “I am Mum to Mihaan, nearly 21, who has Down syndrome, and Mira, who is nearly 19 and neurotypical. Before Buddy Up, I ran a hand embroidery export firm but was always involved in advocating for inclusion at my son’s school.”

Her life, like that of many mothers raising neurodivergent children, was a blend of care, advocacy, and learning. But beyond her role as a mother, she carried a deep passion for ensuring that every child especially those with disabilities had the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow.

Gopika, on the other hand, describes her journey: “I’m mom to twins, Vir and Gayatri, both nearly 21, with Vir being autistic and Gayatri neurotypical. I studied journalism, worked in online media, NGOs, and eventually became an autism intervention therapist at Ummeed Child Development Center shortly after Vir’s diagnosis. I also authored Beyond the Blue: Love, Life and Autism India’s first anecdotal book on autism by a parent.”

Together, these two women brought unique perspectives one a therapist and writer deeply connected to the autism community, and the other an entrepreneur and advocate for inclusion.

The Beginning of a Friendship That Sparked a Movement

The story of Buddy Up began five years ago when fate, purpose, and shared experiences brought Gopika and Moneisha together.

At that time, Moneisha was searching for friends for her son, Mihaan. She realized that as his neurotypical classmates were preparing to move on to college, he might feel left behind socially and emotionally. Unable to find an existing platform or community for this need, she approached Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy, founder of Ummeed Child Development Center, who introduced her to Gopika, whose son Vir was of the same age.

Meanwhile, Gopika had also been struggling with the social aspect of her son’s life. Playdates were often stressful and unsuccessful, with children playing separately while she tried to bridge the gap. After many such attempts, she had resigned herself to the thought that friendships could wait for another time.

But destiny had other plans. When Vir and Mihaan finally met, something magical happened. Over a simple baking activity, the boys clicked instantly. That moment marked the beginning of a deep friendship not just between them, but between their mothers as well. Both women realized they shared similar challenges, dreams, and hopes as caregivers of neurodivergent teenagers. That connection planted the seed for Buddy Up, an idea that would later grow into a movement transforming the lives of thousands.

The Power of Friendship in Shaping Buddy Up

The concept of Buddy Up was born from what they witnessed in their own sons’ lives. As Vir and Mihaan’s friendship blossomed, their confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being grew. They began to thrive in ways neither parent had imagined possible.

“Their friendship literally changed their lives,” they share. “It was game-changing they became more confident, fulfilled, and connected. What more could a parent want?”

Through this, they realized something profound as parents, we often overlook friendship as an essential developmental goal. We focus on therapies, education, and medical care, but forget that friendship and connection are equally vital for emotional growth.

And so, they decided to build a platform that would help others find what their sons had found a true friend.

Parenting, Advocacy, and Leadership: Lessons from Their Journey

Their journeys as mothers of neurodivergent children have deeply shaped who they are today.

“As parents, we all want the best for our children,” they say. “Our efforts are no different from any other parent. The only difference is that our path is a little less traveled one filled with learning, acceptance, and immense gratitude.”

Over time, they realized that their experiences could help not just their own children but also countless others. The privilege of being able to extend their work beyond their families to a larger community became their biggest motivation.

The Realization: Community and Friendship Matter

For both mothers, the need for community was always at the forefront. When Moneisha’s children were younger, she would see on social media how young adults with disabilities in other countries were enjoying social lives going to movies, parties, and outings, much like their neurotypical peers. She wanted the same for her son but had no idea how to make it happen in her own context.

Similarly, Gopika had drafted a proposal for a “community club” where children and young adults with disabilities could come together. Though it never materialized then, the thought never left her mind.

So, when the two met, it felt as though life had finally connected the missing dots two mothers who dreamed of the same thing.

The Birth of Buddy Up: Creating a Safe Space for Connections

As their friendship deepened, so did their conviction that others needed a similar opportunity. Buddy Up was envisioned as a digital space where individuals with disabilities could find meaningful friendships a place where belonging wasn’t just a hope, but a reality.

They wanted it to be accessible, inclusive, and above all, safe.

“Every child and adult deserves a friend,” they emphasize. “It’s something we all yearn for. But for people with disabilities, finding friends can be harder. Buddy Up bridges that gap.”

Gopika, with her background as a therapist, noticed that friendship naturally nurtured many of the same skills taught in therapy reciprocity, sharing, turn-taking, and patience. This reinforced their belief that social connections aren’t just emotionally rewarding, but developmentally enriching too.

Overcoming Challenges: Learning and Growing Together

Like any pioneering venture, Buddy Up’s journey wasn’t without challenges.

“Our biggest obstacle was technology,” they admit with a smile. “Neither of us came from a tech background. Even communicating our ideas to our tech partner was difficult initially. We were literally learning as we went along.”

Despite these hurdles, their determination kept them moving forward. They bootstrapped the entire project, handling customer support, social media, and outreach themselves. Their teamwork and shared purpose made the impossible possible.

The Impact: Touching Lives, One Connection at a Time

Since its launch, Buddy Up has grown to over 6,500 users, each with their own story of connection and hope.

They recall several touching moments like Yusuf, a visually impaired young man who not only found friends but also job opportunities through the app, and Aditi, a non-speaking autistic woman from Bangalore, who bonded deeply with another non-speaking user.

Each story reinforces the platform’s mission that everyone deserves a friend, a space to belong, and a community that understands them.

Inclusion, Accessibility, and Safety Core Pillars of Buddy Up

Buddy Up is designed with accessibility and inclusion at its heart. The founders made sure that visually impaired users could navigate the app easily, a feature that many mainstream apps still overlook.

The app supports both English and Hindi, allowing a wider reach across diverse user groups. Based on continuous user feedback, new accessibility features are regularly added.

Being inclusive also means welcoming neurotypical users those who wish to connect with individuals from different walks of life and build bridges of understanding.

Safety is another crucial aspect.

“We’re mothers first,” they say. “So safety was always our top priority.”

The app includes a one-minute video verification call to help users confirm who they are chatting with. Caregivers can also monitor activity on their young adults’ profiles when needed, ensuring a secure and positive experience for all.

Friendship, Resilience, and Leadership

Through this remarkable journey, both women have learned invaluable lessons about themselves and each other.

“We’ve realized that anything is possible when you have a strong sense of purpose,” they reflect. “With no prior experience in tech or business, we’ve managed to build something meaningful. And we didn’t do it alone our families, friends, and even strangers who believed in our mission have supported us every step of the way.”

Their leadership style is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and humility. They balance their multiple roles as mothers, advocates, and entrepreneurs with grace and intention.

“As moms, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But we promised ourselves that Buddy Up would never take over our lives. We support each other covering for one another when needed, taking breaks, and prioritizing our families. That balance keeps us grounded.”

Partnerships and Community Support

Buddy Up’s reach has expanded through meaningful collaborations. The founders have conducted sessions and webinars with organizations such as Action for Autism, Ummeed CDC, Jai Vakeel Foundation, ADAPT, DSFI (Down Syndrome Federation of India), Sethu, and Forum for Autism.

They have also participated in major disability events like Abilities Tech Expo, Purple Jallosh, and the International Purple Fest 2025. These collaborations have helped raise awareness about the importance of social connections and mental health for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.

Each partnership has strengthened their mission making inclusion not just an idea but a lived reality.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Buddy Up

When asked about the next chapter, their vision is ambitious yet deeply human.

“We want Buddy Up to become the go-to platform for people with disabilities not just for friendship, but also for love, companionship, and community,” they share.

They also dream of taking Buddy Up global, allowing people across borders to connect and share experiences. The founders hope to expand their team, strengthen partnerships, and continue enhancing accessibility features to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can find their tribe.

A Message of Hope to Parents and Caregivers

Their advice for parents, caregivers, and anyone feeling isolated is both heartfelt and practical:

“Our biggest message is don’t underestimate the power of community. We often get caught up in education, employment, and therapies, believing those are the priorities. But friendship and connection make everything else better. They enrich life in ways nothing else can. Building a community takes effort, but it will reward you in countless ways.”

A Celebration of Connection

Buddy Up is more than an app it’s a movement of empathy, understanding, and friendship. What started as two mothers’ shared dream has become a nationwide platform where people connect beyond disabilities, beyond labels, and beyond limits.

Through their courage, compassion, and unwavering belief in inclusion, Gopika and Moneisha have redefined what it means to belong. Their journey reminds us that while therapies and education build skills, it’s friendship that builds hearts.

Every story shared on Buddy Up from Yusuf’s friendships to Aditi’s connections proves one truth: when we choose to reach out, the world becomes a kinder, more inclusive place.