For the past 20 years, innovation has primarily been targeted at youth (e.g. Instagram, Snapchat) and the workplace (e.g. Slack, Salesforce). Despite the fact that the wealthiest and fastest growing segment of the population are seniors -- with 10,000 people in the US are turning 65 every day -- few entrepreneurs have considered designing products for an older demographic. Three big trends are changing that:

1. Ease-of-use. Pioneered by Steve Job's desire to "surprise and delight", ease-of-use has been one of the biggest changes in tech over the past decade. We've reached a point where even toddlers are able to use technology successfully, many before they even start speaking! No longer is technology solely the domain of engineers and scientists, nowadays, as Elon Musk stated, “any product that needs a manual to work is broken.” Now, more than ever, it’s possible to create products that can be used by older generations that didn’t grow up with technology.
2. Tech-Savvy Boomers. The 10,000 newly minted seniors retiring daily were in the middle of their careers when personal computers entered the workplace in the 90’s. They’ve become incredibly comfortable with technology and the internet — they text, they use Facebook, they play candy crush, etc. Additionally, being “children of the revolution” they’ve challenged norms and forged their own path. They have no interest in aging the way their parents did and are looking for alternatives.
3. Wealth Concentration. Older adults control the vast amount of wealth in this country and they’re willing to spend it. The 50+ population controls 70% of disposable income and make over 50% of all CPG purchases, yet there are few brands designing specifically for them. This makes older adults the biggest untapped consumer segment, not to mention that $1,000Bn is spent globally on elder care, a market ripe for disruption.

Entrepreneurs brave enough to take on the challenges of designing for the older market are starting to see results. Care.com was able to IPO at a $554mm valuation; Best Buy acquired GreatCall for $800mm; Amazon made PillPack a unicorn when it spent $1Bn to acquire it.

Unsurprisingly, venture funds are beginning to take notice. In 2015 Andreesen Horowitz invested $15mm into Honor’s series A and just over a year later other big venture firms followed suit with Thrive Capital and 8VC investing in its series B. Willow, the maker of “fashionable incontinence underwear”, raised a $2.5mm seed round from FirstMark Capital and Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund.

But while growth capital is entering, there remains a huge gap, and opportunity, in early stage; there are few if any funding sources for entrepreneurs targeting the older market, giving savvy investors the pick of the litter.

I’ve spent the past few years diving deep into the longevity economy: figuring out what’s working and what isn’t, what opportunities there are and how to sell into this complex market. Most importantly, I’ve come to understand the wants, needs, and values of the older population. Through my seed investments, work with Aging2.0, writing, and attending many, many conferences & events, I have started to make a name for myself as the early-stage Agetech investor.

This space and opportunity is so large that I can’t do it alone. I created this syndicate so that others can participate and benefit from the work I’m doing. We need more investors in this undisrupted market to fully realize it’s potential. By joining the Agetech Angels syndicate, you’ll not only have the opportunity to invest in the most exciting startups working to disrupt aging, but you’ll also get unparalleled insights into the workings of the longevity economy and the many opportunities therein.

I will only be syndicating deals that I am already participating in (i.e. I will be investing personally regardless of whether the deal successfully syndicates or not). I don't believe in syndicating without skin-in-the-game. I make 15+ investments per year and will syndicate all deals that the founders allow.