SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aging2.0, a global organization whose mission is to accelerate innovation in aging, has announced the first cohort of its newly launched
GENerator founders program. Eleven innovative early-stage companies have been selected to begin the six-month program, based out of the Institute on Aging in San Francisco.
The GENerator is the world’s first founders program focused on the 50+ demographic. The program provides the most promising entrepreneurs with unique access to older adults, mentors, distribution channels and investors. The companies address a wide range of opportunities within the 50+ market, including solutions designed to enhance independence, boost social connectivity, empower family caregivers and improve care coordination.
“The GENerator companies are harnessing the latest technology trends and unprecedented demographics to create new multibillion-dollar markets,” said Katy Fike, PhD, co-founder of Aging2.0. “They are leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as ambient sensors, big data analytics, artificial intelligence and intuitive mobile interfaces to deliver smarter solutions to the burgeoning market of seniors, caregivers and long-term care providers.”
The first GENerator cohort was carefully selected from more than 1,000 companies that the Aging2.0 founders have met over the past two years while hosting 30 events in 10 cities around the world. Meet the companies in the first GENerator cohort:
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BrainAid (www.brainaid.com) is a smartphone or tablet application with patented "executive function" software to provide flexible activity reminders and automatic planning assistance for individuals with cognitive impairment.
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CareLinx (www.carelinx.com) is a professional in-home caregiver online marketplace that helps people easily find, screen, hire and pay caregivers who match their specific needs and budget.
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CareSolver (www.caresolver.com) activates, educates, and supports the nation’s $450B per year senior care workforce – family caregivers – to drive significant improvements in senior health and caregiver wellness.
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Life2 (www.life2inc.com) is a healthcare focused predictive analytics company that helps caregivers predict and manage future health risks by providing them information on “who” is at risk, “why” they are at risk, and “what” can be done to mitigate the risk.
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Lift Hero (www.lifthero.com) is a platform for arranging convenient, door-through-door transportation and accompaniment to medical appointments from reliable, qualified drivers.
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Lively (www.mylively.com) uses passive, stylish activity sensors and a social sharing platform to help older adults live independently longer and provide tighter connection to family.
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My Grove (www.mygrove.co) is a multimedia marketplace and social engagement platform tailored for Active Adults and their communities, which engages and empowers them to connect, share and shop with privacy, security and purpose.
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OpenPlacement (www.openplacement.com) is disrupting the $4.5 billion patient care transition industry by replacing antiquated materials and manual research with an easy to use web application.
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Sabi (www.sabi.com) creates products that improve day-to-day life by rethinking the most commonly used products and tools to elevate the everyday moments in life with superior functionality and design.
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Tapestry (www.tapestry.net) is a beautifully simple tablet & web app, which helps older adults connect to the people they love, the services they need and the communities in which they live.
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True Link (www.truelinkfinancial.com) protects seniors’ money by offering a caregiver-managed debit card account with personalized spending controls and extra protection from fraud and scams.
"As an investor strategically aligned with a large health services organization with a vested interest in serving the needs of seniors and their families, we are excited about the launch of the GENerator and to see the breadth of innovative companies working to improve quality of life and quality of care in later life,” said Tom Rodgers, director of strategic investments at Cambia Health Solutions. “The GENerator fills an important gap in the startup ecosystem and provides entrepreneurs with unique access to the older adults, caregivers and long term care providers."
The first GENerator cohort is comprised of founders ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-60s, and includes serial entrepreneurs and seasoned executives from organizations including Google, Apple, McKinsey, NASA, Morgan Stanley and Stanford. The cohort also includes alumni of other startup programs including Y Combinator, Rock Health, Founders Institute and Lean Launchpad, who have joined the GENerator to deepen their focus and engagement with the aging space. “We are thrilled to have such an impressive and diverse group of entrepreneurs who are unified in their desire to innovate in the 50+ space,” said Stephen Johnston, co-founder of Aging2.0.
The companies in the first GENerator cohort will be featured at an invitation-only event in San Francisco on Nov 21.
About Aging2.0
Aging2.0 (
www.aging2.com) is a global organization on a mission to accelerate innovation to improve the lives of older adults around the world. Aging2.0 connects, educates and supports innovators through regular events, the CoverAGE newsletter and the GENerator founders program. Since early 2012, Aging2.0 has hosted 30 events in 10 cities across three countries, cultivating a robust ecosystem of innovators including entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, investors, long-term care providers and seniors themselves.
