Why should getting dressed be a 20-minute struggle? In this episode of the AgeTech Podcast, Keren Etkin sits down with Jimmy Zollo, co-founder and CEO of Joe & Bella, to explore the intersection of empathy and the fashion industry.
Jimmy shares the deeply personal origin story of his brand- witnessing his grandmother’s painful daily routine- and how that led him to pivot from consumer insights to the complex world of adaptive apparel. We go behind the scenes of the "Four Fs" of their product development process and discuss the surprising market data showing that universal design isn't just for older adults anymore.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
The Genesis of Joe & Bella: How a FaceTime call during the pandemic revealed the "ugly" truth about existing adaptive clothing and inspired a new standard for dignity.
The Business of Universal Design: Why 40% of their recent male customers are under the age of 35 and what this means for the future.
Gender-Based Market Insights: Key differences in how older men and women prioritize comfort, price, and aesthetics when shopping.
When Mara Perlmutter’s mother refused to wear the standard "white unattractive plastic" medical alert devices available on the market, she asked Mara to create something beautiful instead.
In this episode, Keren is joined by Mara Perlmutter, founder and CEO of Trelawear, to discuss how thoughtful design can de-stigmatize aging and improve safety for women.
Mara discusses her transition from over 25 years in the jewelry industry to becoming a hardware founder in the AgeTech space.
She breaks down the engineering challenges of creating the first metal-based wireless emergency device.
We also dive into the business side of the startup journey, including the grueling two-year process to launch on QVC and how Trelawear navigated FSA and HSA eligibility to make the product more accessible.
Topics Covered:
Did you know that family caregivers can get paid to care for their loved ones through Medicare, not just Medicaid? In this episode, Keren sits down with Julie Kennedy, Co-Founder and CEO of RubyWell, to discuss how her company is turning family caregivers into certified Home Health Aides11.
Julie shares her personal journey caring for her best friend, which inspired her to build a solution for the 53 million unpaid caregivers in the US2222. We dive deep into the underutilized Medicare Home Health Benefit, how families can access free training in certain states, and why keeping care in the home is vital for the future of the American healthcare system
How and why does a tech startup acquire a global franchise giant? Seth Sternberg joins the show to discuss Honor's acquisition of Home Instead and the strategy behind combining high-tech platforms with high-touch care.
Seth shares why he chose to leave the world of big tech to build a company that solves problems for millions of older adults. We dive deep into the operational challenges of the home care industry and how machine learning is unlocking personalization at scale.
Key takeaways:
What makes a successful founder in the digital entertainment & consumer software decide to invest in the aging population?
In this episode, I sit down with Ivan Yuen, founder of Elder Ventures, to explore why he views aging as one of the biggest opportunities of our time.
After spending 15 years in consumer software, Ivan started Elder Ventures to bring a fresh, consumer-first lens to the AgeTech market. We discuss the realities of scaling B2C startups for older adults, the power of word-of-mouth marketing, and the "blue ocean" opportunities he is currently looking for.
In this episode, we cover:
The Pivot: Why Ivan moved from gaming and entertainment to AgeTech.
The Thesis: Moving beyond digital health to find opportunities in fintech, marketplaces, and social connection.
Founder Advice: Why relying solely on personal experience with aging parents can be a "double-edged sword."
Growth Tactics: How to leverage viral loops and word-of-mouth in the older adult market.
Future Trends: The untapped potential of career extension for older adults and the role of robotics
Is recording a grandmother's life story just a sentimental hobby, or is it actually a form of therapy?
In this episode of The AgeTech Podcast, Keren Etkin is joined by Beth Sanders, Founder and CEO of LifeBio. What started in a backyard "grandma suite" with a tape recorder has evolved into an AI-powered platform used by major healthcare organizations to deliver person-centered care.
Beth shares her journey of transforming LifeBio from a physical journal business into a high-tech reminiscence therapy platform. She dives deep into the science behind storytelling, revealing how capturing memories can reduce depressive symptoms in older adults by 15% and improve staff-resident relationships in senior living.
In this episode, we cover:
The Origin Story: How a conversation with her grandmother inspired a global business.
The Tech Evolution: Moving from pen and paper to voice-activated AI that acts as a "modern-day tape recorder."
Evidence-Based Success: Why proving ROI through research partners (like Brown and George Mason University) is critical for selling to B2B healthcare clients.
Funding Strategy: A masterclass in non-dilutive funding—how Beth secured millions in Phase II SBIR grants from the NIH/NIA instead of relying solely on VC.
Advice for Founders: How to navigate the "gauntlet" of grant applications and the importance of persistence.
Links & Resources:
Check out LifeBio: https://www.lifebio.org/
Follow LifeBio on Instagram: @lifebiostories
Learn more at The AgeTech Academy: www.theagetechacademy.com
What happens when an AgeTech founder crosses over into one of the largest home care networks in the world? In this episode, Bailey Paxton from Right at Home shares what he’s learning inside their 600-location franchise system - and what founders need to know if they want to sell into home care or raise funding from their new venture arm.
We talk about the real operational pain points, how preferred vendors are selected, which business models home care owners actually accept, and what type of ROI founders must prove to move beyond the pilot phase. Bailey also shares examples of tech that’s working today across the network, including caregiver retention solutions and in-home monitoring.
If you’re building AgeTech, especially B2B solutions for home care, this conversation will save you months of guessing and help you understand what the industry truly needs.
We talk a lot about living longer - but what if we’re missing the real goal?
In this inspiring conversation, gerontologist and author Dr. Kerry Burnight joins Keren Etkin on The AgeTech Podcast to explore the science of JoySpan - how to not only extend your lifespan and healthspan, but your joyspan.
Dr. Burnight shares her “JoySpan Matrix” - four powerful daily practices that help us grow, connect, adapt, and give - and reveals how purpose, mindset, and small choices can shape the quality of our later years.
Whether you’re an older adult, a caregiver, or simply curious about living a good long life, this episode is a masterclass in finding meaning, resilience, and joy at any age.
Stay tuned until the end for practical tips you can use today to live not just longer, but better.
What happens when a toy company decides to focus it's energies on making robotic pets for older adults? In this episode, Keren Etkin talks to Ted Fischer, co-founder and CEO of Ageless Innovation - the company behind Joy for All companion pets for older adults.
Ted shares how his team built robotic cats and dogs that bring comfort, connection, and joy to hundreds of thousands of older adults, and how some of these furry friends even made it into Medicare and Medicaid programs.
They discuss the power of designing with older adults, the unexpected challenges of spinning out from a toy giant, and what every AgeTech founder can learn from their journey.
Tune in to hear how innovation, empathy, and play can change the future of aging.
When hedge fund manager Neal Shah became a full-time caregiver for his wife and grandfather, he saw firsthand how broken the care system really was. So he left Wall Street to build CareYaya - one of the fastest-growing AgeTech startups in the U.S. - connecting families with compassionate student caregivers and reshaping how America thinks about care.
In this episode, Neal joins host Keren Etkin to share how personal experience led to purpose, why product-led growth beats paid ads, and how empathy and AI together can transform the future of caregiving.
Perfect for founders, investors, and anyone curious about the intersection of aging, tech, and human connection.
What if retirement was just the halfway point of your life? In this episode of The AgeTech Podcast, Keren Etkin sits down with Dr. Ira Sobel, founder of the Longevity Academy, to explore how we can prepare - financially and otherwise - for a 100-year life. They discuss why traditional financial planning no longer fits today’s longer lifespans, the rise of “Chief Longevity Officers,” and how organizations can adapt to an aging workforce. From gender gaps in wealth to the future of longevity education, this conversation offers a hopeful, forward-looking take on the new era of aging.
In this episode of The AgeTech Podcast, we explore a side of the 50+ demographic that most startup founders overlook: their content consumption habits. From TikTok to YouTube, older adults are more active and more influential online than you might think.
Tune in as Jeff Weiss and I unpack what this means for AgeTech startups, why it’s time to rethink your content strategy, and how to reach the people who are actually watching.
🎧 Perfect for AgeTech founders, marketers, and product builders looking to connect with the real decision-makers in aging.
#AgeTech #LongevityEconomy #Startups
Japan is the world’s oldest society - and one of the toughest, yet most rewarding markets for AgeTech founders to enter. In this episode, Keren Etkin talks with Dominic Carter, CEO of Carter JMRN, about what makes Japan unique: from cultural attitudes toward aging and technology to the critical role of trust, language, and local partnerships.
Discover what AgeTech founders can learn from Japan’s “super-aging” society, how to validate your product with Japanese users, and why the right approach can turn the world’s most mature market into your biggest growth opportunity.
For founders, innovators, and anyone curious about how technology is reshaping aging—this episode offers both insights and inspiration
What happens when an everyday frustration sparks a breakthrough? Dhaval Patel, founder of Lotus and former Apple engineer, shares how a late-night struggle with the light switch led him to create a wearable ring that gives people with mobility challenges new independence.
In this episode of The AgeTech Podcast, Dhaval and I talk about:
If you’re building in aging, caregiving, or accessibility- or just curious how small innovations can change lives—this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.
🎧 Subscribe to The AgeTech Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping the future of aging and technology.
Tracy Chadwell has seen the AgeTech ecosystem evolve from it's infancy - as the founding partner of 1843 Capital, one of the earliest funds focused on the intersection of aging and innovation.
In this episode of The AgeTech Podcast, we talk about:
The shift from strictly AgeTech to AgeTech AND Longevity investing
Why startups keep missing product-market fit in this space
The myth of “older adults won’t pay”
What investors really want to see in early-stage startups
Exciting trends in preventive health, data, AI, and robotics
If you’re an AgeTech founder, investor, or just AgeTech-curious- this one’s for you.
🎧 Subscribe and follow for more deep dives with the people shaping the future of aging.
Why is Canada’s AgeTech ecosystem at a turning point - and what’s next?
In this episode, Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Founding Scientific Director of AgeWell, joins Keren to reflect on 15 years of building AgeTech infrastructure, supporting startup founders, and driving real-world innovation.
They discuss what happens when government support disappears, how Canada’s new Innovation Studio is opening doors for the public and researchers, and why AgeTech has never been more urgent - or more full of opportunity.
Whether you’re a startup founder, researcher, policymaker, or just AgeTech-curious, this episode offers insight, optimism, and a front-row seat to where Canada goes from here.
What if retirement didn’t mean slowing down—but starting something new? In this episode, Neeraj Sagar, founder of Wisdom Circle, shares how his startup is helping older adults find purpose-driven work after retirement. We talk about ageism in hiring, designing jobs for the wisdom generation, and why experienced professionals are an untapped goldmine of talent.
If you’re building in the AgeTech space, thinking about life after retirement, or looking for fresh ideas about purposeful aging—this conversation is for you.
AI is everywhere - but can it truly solve senior living’s toughest challenges? In this episode, Steve Moran, founder of Senior Living Foresight, shares his insights on where technology is making a real difference, where it’s falling short, and the big gaps innovators should be tackling next.
We cover everything from AI adoption and fall prevention to the importance of human connection, workplace culture, and why families are often the “hidden” customers in senior care. Whether you’re a startup founder, an operator, or simply curious about the future of aging, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and spark new ideas.
Listen if you’re interested in:
What if your tech tutor texted you back like a grandkid would?
In this episode, Keren Etkin talks with Stefano Selorio, founder of Carevocacy and creator of Apo AI - an SMS-based, AI-powered tech tutor that’s reshaping how older adults learn to use technology. Stefano shares his personal journey as a caregiver, how he scaled a service into a startup, why SMS beats apps for digital literacy, and what it means to build a product that becomes more than you imagined.
We also dive into his recent acceptance into the NIA Startup Challenge, and why storytelling, simplicity, and collaboration are the future of AgeTech.
Perfect for AgeTech founders, caregivers, health tech professionals, and anyone passionate about the future of aging and innovation.
Matt Cooley, founder of My AgeTech Lab, joins the AgeTech Podcast to share how he’s tackling one of the ecosystem’s toughest challenges - product discovery and distribution. From curated, hands-on lab experiences in New Jersey to platforming services for startups, Matt is creating new ways for older adults and caregivers to try AgeTech solutions before they buy.
We talk about why so many AgeTech startups struggle to reach their audience, how direct-to-consumer models can succeed in aging, and why Matt believes every community should have a local AgeTech lab.
Also available on our YouTube channel with footage from inside the lab!
https://www.youtube.com/@TheGerontechnologist