MFA Longevity Market Report
News and insights from thought leaders in the longevity economy
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We are so grateful to the outstanding speakers who contributed great content on data, trends, best practices, investor priorities, and more at our Longevity Venture Summit. Much of my professional life has been spent thinking about social isolation and older adults. There has never been as much creative talent focused on engagement and solutions. It is an orchestra of global talent in all forms - nonprofits, investors, government, corporations, entrepreneurs, and incubators.
As we "dive into summer", I think we may be able to swim again this year (my favorite kind of exercise). We hope you will take time to relax and regenerate and enjoy the sessions from our conference that will be available, like a Netflix series, throughout the summer.
We also have listed some good books you will enjoy.
Please stay in touch!
Warmly,
Mary
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Table of Contents:
- New Podcast Episode for What's Next: Living Longer, Better, Smarter
- What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit
- $10k Business Plan Competition Winner
- Corporate Updates
- Books, News, Reports
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NEW PODCAST! Vaccinations and Celebrations: Connecting Again
Listen to the latest What’s Next: Living Longer Better Smarter podcast on how to safely rebuild and maintain connections as the country begins to recover from COVID. You can listen on the MFA website or YouTube.
Fred and Mary talk with Dr. David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft and Amy Giddon, founder of Daily Haloha, an AARP Innovation Labs startup. And MFA's Pat Stenson joins us with her mom, Jean, to talk about celebrating her 100th birthday during the pandemic.
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You Can Still Experience the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit On Demand
The What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit was a resounding success! We had over 200 registrants and more than 30 investors. Across the 24 sessions, attendees learned about trends in the longevity field, practical advice for success, and funding opportunities and strategies. Special thanks to our sponsors and presenters who made this event a success!
It’s not too late to participate! If you didn’t register and are interested in accessing the recordings, you can register now for 50% off the regular conference rate using the discount code post50. Sessions will be available on-demand through August 31.
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Congratulations to the $10K Business Plan Competition Winner!
The $10,000 Business Plan Competition has been a part of the Venture Summit for the past 18 years. This year, more than 40 applicants submitted their business plans for the opportunity to win the prize money and pitch at the Thrive Center.
We extend a hearty congratulations to our winner, Dr. Sandra Saldana from Alva Health! Alva Health is developing a real-time stroke detection wearable for older Americans living with high stroke risk.
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AARP Endorses the Credit for Caring Act
Providing support for family caregivers has long been a pillar of AARP’s advocacy work. Across the country, more than 48 million Americans perform family caregiving responsibilities, spending nearly $7,000 each year to do so, putting many in debt. That is why AARP is proud to endorse the Credit for Caring Act, a bipartisan proposal that would provide a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible working family caregivers. As Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s EVP and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer makes clear, “When it comes to family caregiving, we are all stakeholders.” To read more about the Credit for Caring Act, AARP’s proud history of advocating for family caregivers, and to better understand the unique challenges they face- visit AARP.org.
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‘Iconic British Design’ Attracts UK Government Backing: Centaur Robotics
Centaur Robotics, a startup that seeks to revolutionize the mobility market with a personal electric vehicle, has been selected by the Design Age Accelerator for a four-week project that will further develop the customer journey, identify design opportunities, and attract further investment. The Design Age Accelerator project is funded by the UK government’s research and innovation department
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Embody the Perspectives of Others to Improve Care and Service
Embodied Labs has launched Embodied Labs Online, a browser-based platform with the full content library that can be used both in-person and remotely. Embodied Labs Online enables organizations to train larger groups without a headset, facilitator, or special hardware and can be used along with the VR-headset format to provide the immersive experience that best suits an organization’s needs.
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Can Virtual Reality Help Seniors? Study Hopes to Find Out
MyndVR is partnering with Stanford University to study whether its virtual reality system can improve the emotional well-being of older adults. The study will look at MyndVR’s impact on 1,200 residents a senior living community in Florida, with more residences scheduled to be added to the study.
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In the News
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The Women Effect Fund and the National Domestic Workers Alliance partnered to create a series of factsheets on why funding for home and community based services should be included in the proposed federal infrastructure bill.
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A recent report found that the pandemic led to the largest drop in life expectancy in the US since WWII.
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The FDA made a controversial decision to approve a drug that aims to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, despite some experts’ claim that there is insufficient proof of its effectiveness.
Funding News
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Cleerly, a company that uses artificial intelligence to better analyze heart scans and prevent heart attacks, raised $43 million in Series B funding led by Vensana Capital.
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A startup that provides direct paycheck contributions to pensions and other retirement savings - Cushon - raised £26 million led by Augmentum Fintech and Ashgrove Capital.
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Pack4U, a company that manages prescribed medications, raised $20 million from undisclosed backers.
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Wheel, a company that provides virtual care and matches patients with clinicians, raised $50 million in Series B Funding led by Lightspeed Ventures.
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An Israel-based company, Rapid Medical, which focuses on developing adjustable neurovascular devices, raised $50 million in Series D funding led by MicroPort.
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Swedish start-up NuvoAir, which has a connected digital platform for respiratory health, raised €10 million in Series A funding led by Albion VC.
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DUOS, a startup that provides older adults with care coordination, received $6 million in seed funding from Redesign Health and Forerunner Ventures.
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In The Journey Beyond Fear, John Hagel explores a variety of approaches we can pursue to cultivate emotions of hope and excitement that will help us to move forward despite fear and achieve more of our potential.
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In Letter to a Young Female Physician, Dr. Suzanne Koven reveals a woman forging her authentic identity in a modern landscape that is as overwhelming and confusing as it is exhilarating in its possibilities.
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In The Power of Moments, brothers Chip and Dan Heath break down the elements of defining moments and teach you how to use them to make everyday experiences meaningful and memorable.
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In Think Again, Adam Grant examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life.
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Award-winning journalist and author, Steve Petrow, has released Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old: A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong. Petrow's latest book infuses humor into his examination of the challenges and gifts of getting older.
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Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life, a new book by Margit Novack, combines personal stories with larger topics related to the second half of life. This guidebook provides a positive, realistic guide for those entering their later years.
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