Jose Gabriel Briz Boada
Carlos Ochoa
Kirushika Mahendra
Kevin Hill
Anas Syauqi
Meicyella Claudya Zacharias
Universidad de Navarra
IPMI International Business School
University Of South Wales
Isabel Rodriguez Tejedo
Amelia Naim Indrajaya
Liam Newton
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The core innovation of HM Supports is the delivery of support coordination as an agent for full-spectrum flourishing. This goes beyond standard case management by implementing a strategy of relentless, personalized advocacy to ensure vulnerable individuals receive all the services and dignity to which they are entitled.
The innovation is characterized by: Human Advocacy over Algorithm: while the company uses advanced technology like the state’s iConnect platform and the QSI assessment tool for budgeting, the core value is the human element. CEO Hugo Merino notes, “Our added value is that we combine technology with human advocacy–ensuring that no one is limited by just what the algorithm says.” Client-centred Choice: They ensure the individual client has the right to choose their providers and services, making every support plan truly personalized to their age, lifestyle, and unique needs. High-Touch, Flexible Team: The company maintains a small, highly paid team of remote coordinators, giving them the flexibility to focus entirely on their clients without office bureaucracy, thereby maximizing service quality.
The inspiration for HM Supports is rooted in a deep, personal commitment. Hugo Merino was motivated by his college experience collaborating with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, calling it a “noble career” and a personal “calling.” The true spark came when a state official recognized his credentials and encouraged him to start his own agency, shifting his perspective from working for others to creating his own organization dedicated to care.
His guiding philosophy defines success not by wealth, but by integrity and impact:
“I believe the most important part is always the purpose… If the purpose is significant, it doesn’t matter how small the profit may be... it will still bring satisfaction... it’s about appreciating life—being able to breathe, to see, to think, to help others…”
The purpose-first motivation is what inspired the company’s growth from a single garage office to a multi-city operation.
HM Supports’ operations directly advance the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SGD 3: Good Health and Well-being
The company coordinates all necessary medical, therapeutic, and residential care, ensuring continuous health management and improved quality of life. This generates a huge impact on clients' lives, as on most occasions, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities suffer from low healthcare access and medical complications.
SDG 4: Quality Education
HM Supports Inc. ensures personalized support plans that grant their clients access to special education and skill-building programs, enabling clients to develop and maximize their learning potential.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The whole team provides equitable access to essential services and advocates fiercely for inclusion, ensuring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not secluded but are integrated into their communities. This is the most remarkable SDG in which HM Supports Inc. focuses, as it gives its clients the opportunity to live with dignity and includes them in society by allowing them to flourish and become active members of society.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
HM Supports Inc. acts as an essential check on the bureaucratic system, protecting the legal rights of clients and maintaining integrity through mandatory Zero Tolerance Training for all staff. With this, the company assures its clients a safe space in which they can fulfill their potential.
SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals
The company builds a crucial network by partnering with government agencies, hundreds of external service providers, and families, effectively multiplying the company’s impact across the entire care system.
HM Supports’ adherence to its purpose is the key driver of its business stability and profitability. Stable Revenue Stream: Revenue comes entirely from government contracts (State of Florida), providing a stable, recurring fee for each client served. Mitigation of Risk: By consistently delivering high-quality, compliant services and passing annual state audits, the company reduces the risk of penalties or service cuts. Talent Retention: Profits are strategically reinvested into people and technology (laptops, mentorship, training), which directly enhances service quality and efficiency, thereby securing long-term sustainability.
The impact of HM Supports is measured both in regulatory compliance and in the genuine transformation of clients’ quality of life. The services help individuals live with dignity, receive consistent care, and access opportunities for independence.
Specific Evidence of Impact is Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The most powerful success story is that of a client referred to as “John Doe” who was born with autism. With the right support and case management, John achieved a full-time job in marine biology and gained so much economic independence that he no longer qualified for public assistance. This outcome serves as profound evidence that the company’s model empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their full potential.
The broader societal impact is promoting community inclusion. As Mr. Merino explains, their work ensures that individuals with disabilities are “visible members of society” – participating in restaurants, parks, and supermarkets—a beautiful reflection of equality and acceptance.
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Hugo Merino, Founder and CEO
HM Supports, Inc. is a profitable, purpose-driven company based in Florida that specializes in support coordination for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The company’s innovation is transforming a bureaucratic function into a high-advocacy, human-centred service model dedicated to maximizing client independence and full community inclusion. Founder Hugo Merino’s philosophy prioritizes purpose over profit, leading to a business model that is both financially stable and profoundly impactful. The organization has grown from a small operation launched in a garage to an agency serving clients across 35 to 50 cities in Southern Florida. HM Supports actively helps society meet five key UN Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities, Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing, Goal 4 – Quality Education, Goal 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.