What's Next Longevity Innovation Summit - December 15-17

We still have about 50 seats left for the What's Next Longevity Innovation Summit next month at the National Press Club in Washington, DC! We will kick off the conference will a series of boot camps, followed by two days of content, exhibits, networking events and a pitch room. Register today!

What's Next Longevity Deal Talk

Episode 40 - Mary and Fred are joined by Erinne Dyer, the CEO of 4Youngevity, which is focused on improving health and wellness for all. Then Amelia Hay from the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP introduces us to Shimin Ooi, whose Sleep Reset just won the AgeTech After Dark Pitch Competition at HLTH. Before we highlight some deals from Ziegler and the big AOL acquisition, Ishan Patel from Audien Hearing chats about being honored by Goldman Sachs as one of the most exceptional entrepreneurs of the year!

Episode 41 - Social impact investing: What is it? What are the trends? What should you know? Mary and Fred are joined by leaders on the front lines of social impact investing: Allison Sekuler from CABHI and Baycrest Academy for Research and Education; Brendan Ahern from The SCAN Foundation; and Dana Larson from Stead Impact Ventures. Plus, you’ll learn the latest on the upcoming What’s Next Longevity Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C.!



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

Episode 94: Food, Family & Fun - Legendary PBS chef, author, and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich is back along with Ageless Innovation CEO and co-founder Ted Fischer for a pre-Thanksgiving tradition on What’s Next Living Longer Better Smarter. And they have news to share. Lidia has a new book and new PBS special and Ted announces the release of their new Purple Play Packs to bring generations together. Plus, you'll get Lidia’s Thanksgiving Turkey recipe!

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

Funding News

• Activated Insights acquired CareAcademy for an undisclosed amount.
• Ziegler closed $72 million in financing for retirement community Air Force Enlisted Village. 
• Smartlens, Inc., a clinical-stage ophthalmic technology company advancing glaucoma management devices, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $5.2 million bridge round led by Ambit Health Ventures. 
• Kneu Health, a precision neurology platform for Parkinson’s Disease and dementia, raised $5.6 million in Seed funding led by Oxford Science Enterprises and Cedars-Sinai. 
• Generation Lab, a longevity science-focused company, closed $11 million in seed funding led by Accel. 
• DUOS, a senior-focused digital health platform, secured $130 million in strategic growth equity led by FTV Capital.

AARP Celebrates National Caregiver Month

November is National Family Caregivers month, a time to honor the more than 63 million family caregivers across the country who support aging parents, spouses, or other older and disabled loved ones. During this month, and year-round, AARP fights to support these unsung heroes who hold up our nation’s long term care system. Learn more about the common sense legislation that AARP is fighting for to make caregiving a little easier.

GetSetUp's Digital Assistant Answers Medicare Questions

GetSetUp's Digital Assistant and Medicare Hub offer support answering questions during Annual Open Enrollment for those struggling with Medicare changes. The New York State Office for the Aging took their partnership one step further and rolled out a customized AI‑powered assistant to help New Yorkers navigate New York benefits, resources, and enrollment questions. Built specifically for older adults and caregivers, the tool offers live and on‑demand guidance, bridging the digital literacy gap and empowering individuals to make confident decisions about their health coverage.

Apply for CABHI's Ignite Program

Apply by December 5 for CABHI’s Ignite Program. Ignite provides up to $150,000 CAD in funding along with CABHI’s Acceleration Services to advance early-stage innovations that enhance the lives of older persons, people living with dementia, and their care partners.

Read Report on Tech in Senior Living

Read the latest report from Zeigler Link-age Funds and LeadingAge CAST about how not-for-profit senior living and care organizations are approaching technology strategy, adoption, and innovation.

Alita Launches Senior Care AI Agent

Alita has officially launched its AI-powered agent for senior care websites, helping providers instantly engage families and job seekers, qualify for fit, and automatically book tours, consultations, or interviews. The company also welcomed MFA's Mary Furlong to its Advisory Board, further supporting Alita’s mission to bring empathetic automation to the rapidly growing longevity economy. 

SolidHealth.AI Launches Public Alpha Version

SolidHealth.AI has released its public Alpha — a web-based app that connects users with hospitals, clinics, and labs to unify their health data. Powered by its AI Health Assistant, KNOAH, the app delivers intuitive insights and conversational support to help people manage their health with confidence. New features will roll out in the coming weeks to deepen daily guidance and care continuity. The company will showcase upcoming capabilities and its vision for personal healthcare at Vital Shift 2025, its inaugural event on November 22 in the Bay Area.

The Smarter Service Spotlighted in CNN Business

The Smarter Service was recognized by CNN Business for its work helping older adults stay confident and connected with technology. The article highlights The Smarter Service as part of the expanding network of organizations helping older adults build tech literacy.

Invest in the Future of Mobility

UpLyft is revolutionizing mobility with the first-ever seated self-transfer patient lift, empowering individuals with limited mobility to move between bed and wheelchair independently or with zero physical effort from caregivers. Since entering the market in 2022, UpLyft has generated $3.1M in revenue & sales. Today, the company is scaling via its equity crowdfunding initiatives to meet the needs of 41 million Americans who require mobility assistance daily. Join the movement to restore independence and protect caregivers from injury by investing in UpLyft today!

Joe & Bella Launches HoodEase Kickstarter

HoodEase from Joe & Bella is a game-changing hoodie with a magnetic zipper that closes itself - no fumbling, no frustration. It’s designed to bring ease, confidence, and independence to older adults and the caregivers who support them. It’s available only on Kickstarter. You can support this wonderful product and the team at Joe & Bella by backing HoodEase on Kickstarter. You can see their video and get yours at a special early price here.  

The State of AI Agents in City Services

Read Botco.ai’s new industry report: The State of AI Agents in City Services 2026. It is a must-read for local government leaders, city innovators, and anyone passionate about digital transformation in public services.

Books, News, Reports, and Events

• The Digital Medicine Society (DiME) is collaborating with the Consumer Technology Association and a coalition of industry partners to launch an initiative to support tech-enabled aging in place for older adults.
• Watch the latest Health Futures episode, where Mary Furlong discusses the longevity economy and the future of caregiving.
• A new John A. Hartford Foundation survey found overwhelming bipartisan support for programs funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA), including meal delivery, transportation, and caregiver assistance. 
• A report by the Mather Institute reveals that many adults aged 55+ already engage with AI and hold an optimistic outlook on its future. 
• Watch a video from the Alliance for Aging Research about managing prescription drug costs in 2026. 
• Two newly proposed federal bills, the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act and the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act, would boost monthly benefits for older adults. 
• Texas and Washington state voters approved measures affecting older adults, allocating $3 billion for dementia research funding and investment changes to the WA Cares long-term care insurance program, respectively.

Lidia's Thanksgiving Turkey Basting

Reduce balsamic vinegar slightly with honey. Add herbs, including rosemary. In the last hour of cooking, baste your turkey with the balsamic vinegar reduction to add crispness and and a nice mahogany color. Learn more recipes and buy her new book on Lidia's website.

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