Digital platforms and artificial intelligence, these are the innovative ingredients of the 8 startups in the second edition of Next Age-the acceleration program for Silver Economy startups that raised more than 5 million euros in the first edition.
Held in Milan on July 12, 2023 the “Next Age Demo Day”
Next Age Demo Day 2023 was held on Wednesday, July 12: the presentation to investors and corporate of the startups that have completed the acceleration program dedicated to the
Silver Economy created by the initiative of CDP Venture Capital and AC75 Startup Accelerator, the Startup Accelerator promoted by Fondazione Marche and international venture capital firm SOSV.
Next Age is part of the National Accelerator Network that CDP Venture Capital is setting up throughout the country to stimulate the growth of startups in markets with the greatest potential. The program involves Intesa Sanpaolo as main partner, INRCA – Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani, Università Politecnica delle Marche, UK NICA National Innovation Centre for Ageing as scientific partners, and the Silver Economy Network established by Assolombarda as ecosystem partner. The program also enjoys the support of the Marche Region.
The 2023 edition also sees the entry of an additional main partner: Amplifon, the global leader in the hearing care retail market.
The second edition of Next Age received outstanding feedback: the 2023 call saw the application of 265 Silver Economy startups of which 54% were from Italy, 21% from Europe and 25% from the rest of the world, testifying to the relevance of this theme and its global spread. Of the selected startups, 5 are Italian and 3 foreign: from Dublin, Barcelona and Boston.
The startups selected in the second batch that presented at Demo Day:
1) Looky: AI-driven smart pill dispenser for better therapy adherence and equipped with a fall detection and prediction system.
2) Genesys Bio: Revolution in urinary tract infection testing: better results in less than an hour.
3) Optimens: Format that helps seniors, caregivers, and institutions by measuring, monitoring, and coaching brain health for optimal aging.
4) Point Pressure: Wearable device that mimics physiotherapy to help stroke patients with spasticity achieve treatment goals, sooner and wherever they want.
5) Roofus: Digital marketplace for dog sitting services, helps animal lovers of all ages to stay active, socialize and even build additional income through their passion.
6) Eldercate: Interactive online programs for the education and well-being of nursing home residents, enabling facilities to provide accessible, stimulating and engaging classroom activities.
7) Parrots: IA/ML-enabled system to improve care for patients with neurological disabilities through AI monitoring and voice interactions.
8) Weaving: Digital therapy platform to help physical therapists provide individualized rehabilitation remotely and on a large scale.
The Next Age program, which started only last year, already involves an audience of internationally relevant actors. The Demo Day was attended by more than 50 investors (including about 15 from abroad), 20 companies and 4 research centers.
Next Age – part of CDP Venture Capital’s National Accelerators Network – is the first acceleration program in Europe specifically investing in Silver Economy startups, saw in its first edition in 2022 an investment in 8 startups that have already raised more than €5 million in direct investments and European grants and signed important partnerships and POCs with leading companies in the sector.
Next Age’s mission is to develop a hub of innovation in the Silver Economy. The program provides investment, scientific validation, mentorship of excellence, and direct access to research centers and companies within an articulated international network. In addition to an initial investment of €1 M on the startups selected each year, Next Age provides access to two subsequent follow-on post-acceleration rounds totaling up to €1.8 M and €4.25 M for startups with the greatest potential.
“SILVER ECONOMY”: WHY IT IS THE NEW INVESTMENT FRONTIER
The Silver Economy – the set of products and services aimed at the over 50s- has a value expected to be 5.7 trillion euros by 2025, equivalent to a third of Europe’s GDP. Already, in Italy, its impact has reached at least 32.7% of GDP 2021, amounting to 583 billion euros. The growing importance of this sector is given by the fact that in Italy alone, the percentage of over-65s will exceed 30 percent in 2047 (in 2018 this estimate reached 22.8%), The increase in longevity and active life poses new challenges to entrepreneurs and investors, offering extraordinary opportunities that are still little considered today.
