AgeTech Collaborative from AARP Accelerator Program

AgeTech Collaborative from AARP Accelerator Program is sponsored by AARP. The AgeTech Collaborative from AARP supports the development of technology to solve age-related challenges.

Startup Accelerator - AgeTech Collaborative from AARP Ready to take your startup to the next level ? The AgeTech Collaborative™ is looking for bold startups creating world-changing solutions to improve people’s lives as they age . Our 8-week virtual accelerator helps AgeTech startup founders refine strategy, gain consumer insights, and connect with fellow founders all at no cost and no equity required.

What you’ll get from our one-of-a-kind accelerator program: Consumer Insights & Research Tap into decades of proprietary AARP research and real consumer insights to learn more about your target audience and market. Strategic Business Insights Leverage subject matter experts, growth marketing support, and UX/UI design consultation to validate your business and product strategy.

Set goals and tap into our program resources to accelerate your startup’s growth with the help of your dedicated portfolio manager. Join a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs navigating the same challenges. After the program, you’ll connect to the rest of the ecosystem: leading investors, testbeds, enterprises, and other startups, all united behind our mission of making aging easier for everyone.

What startups say about the program: The AgeTech Collaborative keeps us in the know with the latest research insights on effectively and equitably serving our diverse population, and in the loop with the most driven and impactful people in our space. … [The AgeTech Collaborative] has been instrumental in informing our target user personas and product development roadmap.

We have finally found answers to the questions we’ve been asking ourselves for several months regarding pricing, the purchasing process, regulations, and the key players involved. We walked away with new taglines, a better UX experience, amazing new knowledge from experts and a ton of consumer research. The research is the biggest win.

Subject matter expert(s) allowed us to see how markets we thought were attractive were really not a great fit, while at the same time provided avenues we had not previously thought about. *AARP 2023 Tech Trends and Adults 50+, Jan 2023 https://www. aarp.

org/research/topics/technology/info-2023/2023-technology-trends-older-adults. html What Makes Our Accelerator Program Different The AgeTech Collaborative operates at the intersection of technology and longevity, with a deep understanding of both of these dynamic, growing markets. We’re backed by AARP, the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older.

No two startups’ experiences are alike: we work with each one individually, tailoring their program to their specific needs and providing our depth of knowledge and connections to take their business to the next level. As a mission-driven organization, we don’t ask for equity or fees to participate in the program. Your success brings us closer to our goal of making aging easier for everyone.

What to Expect Before, During and After Our 8-Week Cohort Before the Accelerator – Application & Selection During the Accelerator - Accelerator Participation After the Accelerator - Enter the Ecosystem Before the Accelerator – Application & Selection Apply to pitch at one of our virtual or in-person events . Select startups are invited to participate in a 3-5 minute pitch.

Top startups are invited to an interview with the accelerator team. Startups are notified of their acceptance one month prior to the cohort start date. During the Accelerator - Accelerator Participation Participate in the 8-week fully virtual program (4 cohorts per year).

Startups spend an average of 3–5 hours per week on accelerator activities. Meet weekly with your portfolio manager and attend workshops with your cohort. Work towards your program goals by leveraging resources ranging from consumer insights, AARP research, and subject matter experts to growth marketing and UX/UI design support.

After the Accelerator - Enter the Ecosystem Enter into the AgeTech Collaborative ecosystem for ongoing connections among leading investors, testbeds, enterprises, and other startups, companies that all share the common goal to make aging easier for everyone. Startups may be invited to join us at conferences like CES, HLTH and our exclusive ATC Summit. 1.

Submit an Application to Pitch – Tell us about your startup. 2. Pitch at an Event – Participate in a 3-5 minute virtual or in-person pitch.

3. Startup Interview – Meet with the accelerator team for a 45-minute call. 4.

Final Review – Startups are notified whether they’ve been accepted. Meet the innovative startups leading the way in AgeTech. Where and when does the accelerator program take place?

There are four accelerator program cohorts per year, each one including up to 15 startups. Our cohorts are run completely virtually, making them convenient to attend no matter where you’re located in the world, while still building connection and community between startups and staff. As a mission-driven organization, we don’t ask for fees or equity to join the program.

We amplify startups who are aligned with our mission to make aging easier for everyone, therefore your success is our success. By participating in the program, will I be able to market my product to AARP members or be able to utilize the AARP brand in marketing my business? Due to our non-profit status, we are unable to give startups access to the AARP membership base or utilize the AARP brand in marketing your business.

What criteria must startups meet to be eligible for the accelerator program? We’re looking for startups with a consumer-ready product, a clear use case for the 50+ population, and a team committed to participating in the program. Participation typically involves 3–5 hours of virtual meetings and events each week.

What is the time commitment for myself and my team? Startups that are getting the most out of this program are dedicating 3-5 hours per week throughout the duration of the 8 week cohort. How many people on my team can participate?

You’re welcome to include as many team members as needed to get the most value from the program. It’s important to involve the right people from the start, but keep in mind that too many participants can slow down decision-making and progress. Is there an opportunity for investment from AARP?

Yes, there are opportunities for investment from AARP. Investment discussions are held with every startup in the cohort closer to the end of the 8-week program. Yes.

Many factors go into deciding who is invited to pitch, and strong companies may not be selected the first time. We encourage you to review the ATC’s guidelines and reapply when you’re ready. Demonstrating progress since your last application helps us see how your startup is evolving and strengthens your candidacy.

Do I have to be US-based? No but you need to either have a presence in the U.S. or be actively pursuing expansion into the U.S. market. What type of companies do you work with?

We work with a broad range of startups in the AgeTech space, including but not limited to, financial resiliency, healthcare, social engagement, accessibility, caregiving, or other areas in the longevity category. We are also looking for solutions related to healthspan and wellness that have applications to the 50+ What if we’ve been working on our startup for a while? Is the ATC accelerator still a good fit?

Most likely, yes. We work with startups at various stages—from pre-revenue to more established companies. Because our program is tailored to each startup’s needs, we adapt our support based on where you are in your journey.

What if there’s already a startup in the ecosystem working on something similar to us? That won’t affect your chances of being accepted. We understand that multiple startups can approach the same problem in different, valuable ways.

While we do try to avoid placing direct competitors in the same cohort, having a similar company already in the broader ecosystem is not a barrier to joining the program. Show us how you’re changing the world Applying to one of the AgeTech Collaborative Pitch Events is the first step towards becoming eligible for the Accelerator Program. View Upcoming Pitch Events