Join us for the2024 What's Next Longevity Venture Summit June 11-12 in San Francisco

You still have time to register for the What's Next Longevity Venture Summit, taking place June 11-12 at the Fairmont San Francisco. The theme for the Summit is Net New: Investment, AI, & Innovation in the Longevity Marketplace.

The deadlines are rapidly approaching to apply for the two pitch competitions. The deadline for the AgeTech After Dark Pitch Challenge presented by the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP, is April 22 and the deadline for the $10K Business Plan Competition is April 30! Finalists of these competitions will present their business plans at the conference in June.

We will also announce the second annual John Hopper Impact Award at the conference, in partnership with Ziegler Link-Age. The award recognizes an exceptional entrepreneur or first-time fund manager who has introduced an innovative solution, technology, or fund thesis focused on improving the independence, quality, and cost of care for the aging population. Submit a nomination -- the deadline has been extended to April 25!

Episode 72: Potential and Protection – Author, podcaster, and entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki joins Mary and Fred to discuss his new book (Think Remarkable) in an inspiring discussion examining the inner workings of what makes people remarkable. Mary and Fred then welcome Google technology expert Katherine Williams for some tips and tools to protect against online scams.

Check out the full list of What's Next Living Longer Better Smarter episodes.

What's Next Longevity Deal Talk

Episode 25: GetSetUp-Longevity Venture Summit – Mary and Fred are joined first by GetSetUp President Lawrence Kosick, who outlines how the company is working with states to take part in a $1.4 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Then, with the Longevity Venture Summit in June approaching, we hear from previous competition winners on how participation in the Summit has opened doors.

Check out the full list of What's Next Longevity Deal Talk episodes.

Funding News

• Avenzo Therapeutics, Inc. raised $150 million in Series A-1 financing led by New Enterprise Associates to continue their work in transformative oncology therapeutics.
• ViaLase, Inc, a medical technology company focused on treating glaucoma, raised approximately $40 million in Series C funding led by an undisclosed investor. 
• Canada-based Eirene, an online funeral services provider, raised over $4 million in Seed funding led by Relay Ventures. 
• The University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab received a $1 million grant from HUD to identify and study smart home technology that improves the safety of public and rental housing for older adults. 
• Health insurer stocks dropped after Medicare Advantage rates weren't increased as much as hoped.  
• Float Health, which provides specialty chronic care treatment at home, raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Canvas Ventures. 
• Log My Care, a UK-based care home and social care software company, raised £3 million led by Mercia Ventures.

AARP Fights Against Age Discrimination

“Age discrimination in the workplace, like any other kind of discrimination, is wrong. We are committed to fighting against it.”- Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s EVP & Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer

One of the best ways for older adults to stay financially secure is to keep earning money in the workplace. But too often, they run into a barrier that puts these benefits out of reach: age discrimination. Read more about how AARP is fighting to ensure that older adults who wish to stay in the workplace can do so for as long as they want or need to in Nancy LeaMond's latest blog.

GetSetUp Services Align With the Digital Equity Grant Program

GetSetUp is thrilled to see the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) dedicate a $1.44 billion federal investment to the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, a grant that can be utilized by governments and tribal communities to help on their mission to improve digital literacy for older adults. GetSetUp can help libraries, states, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Departments of Aging, and other organizations complete their proposals with data and resources from GetSetUp’s past experience on successful methods for addressing key components of the grants. Reach out for more information.

2024 Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge, which focused on finding ways to help make life transitions at any age healthier or more meaningful! First place went to Asterisk, a modular board game designed for individuals with dementia, which is led by by Belén García López from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, with mentor Prof. Andrés Tabera. Second place was awarded to Bala, a digital app and game kit that provide financial literacy education for women support groups. Third place was awarded to LifeQuest, a tablet simulation game that helps those with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn important life skills to support their independence. 

TCARE Continues Its Growth

TCARE has a series of exciting updates that will continue to propel its growth in the coming months and years. First, TCARE has moved its HQ to a new 25,000+ sq ft building in the Grove area of St. Louis to support its current growth trajectory. Second, TCARE promoted Lindsey Niemeier to President to drive the company's growth, spearhead innovations, and solidify TCARE'S position as an industry leader. Lastly, TCARE hired Jodi Fenner as its VP of Growth and Execution to support its rapidly expanding health plan business supporting caregivers of Medicaid members.

New Opportunity–USAging Corporate Marketplace

The USAging Corporate Marketplace is an online forum showcasing companies with expertise in serving older adults. Companies are all approved by USAging’s Board of Directors and provides businesses the opportunity to demonstrate their value to the aging network and partner with Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Apply to be a USAging Corporate Marketplace Vendor today! 

C-Suite Compensation in Senior Living

Ziegler's March survey looked at C-suite compensation in senior living. Surprisingly, only 15% of respondents had a chief technology officer. Additional details can be found here.

Register for Botco.ai Webinar on Metal Health Care

Seniors experiencing loneliness and depression can discover how GenAI and global coaches are bridging the mental health resource gap. Register now for this April 29th webinar!

Artifcts Partners with Susan G. Komen

Artifcts has partnered with Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, to support its ongoing cross-sectional work in research, community health, global outreach and public policy to find the cures for breast cancer. For each membership purchased through the Artifcts x Komen partnership page, Artifcts will donate 20% back to Komen with a minimum annual donation of $2,500. Learn more!

Books, News, and Reports

• The Senate passed a bill to collect better data on direct care workers.
• Fourteen Silverado memory care communities were included on the list of top memory care providers by US New & Reports.
• Read Sherri Snelling’s latest Next Avenue article on the supports needed by working family caregivers. 
• MIT CoLab launched a new resource hub on solutions for the long-term care crisis, including building new long-term care financing programs and expanding worker-owned cooperatives.
• The World Health Organization launched AI assistant S.A.R.A.H, or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, to provide information on major health concerns such as cancer and diabetes. 
• BrainHQ’s new Forbes column outlines how digital health apps can scientifically verify their effectiveness.
• Read Mary Abeling's new book - A Kids Book About Long-Term Care.