A New Era for Aging: Inside the AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP with SVP Andy Miller 

In a world where longevity and technology intersect, AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP stands as a beacon of innovation, dedicated to empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Andy Miller, Senior Vice President at AARP, recently shared insights into the origins, mission, and remarkable impact of the AgeTech Collaborative program, highlighting the importance of choice and autonomy for the aging population. 

The Birth of AgeTech: A Mission-Driven Journey 

The journey to creating the AgeTech Collaborative was not a straightforward path but rather a culmination of evolving ideas, shifting market dynamics, and a deep understanding of the changing needs of an aging population. Miller shared how this initiative emerged from a broader exploration of how technology could address the challenges and opportunities presented by the longevity economy. “When we talk about the word ‘AgeTech,’ it’s essentially the intersection of longevity and technology,” Miller said. AARP’s mission is not just to support aging but to empower individuals to choose how they live as they age, with a strong emphasis on the word ‘choose.’ 

The concept of AgeTech evolved as Miller and his team recognized that traditional technology categories—such as health tech, fintech, prop tech, and mobility—were not fully capturing the specific needs of the aging population. “When we started, there was no such thing as AgeTech. Startups building solutions for aging had to fit into other categories, which often made it difficult to gain traction with investors,” Miller explained. 

A Convergence of Need and Opportunity 

The longevity economy represents a significant economic force, with an estimated global impact of $100 trillion by 2050. As Miller pointed out, this economic reality, combined with the growing number of startups driven by personal stories of caregiving and loss, led to a critical mass of interest from venture capitalists and large corporations alike. 

“Most of the startups we work with have a personal origin story—many were inspired by experiences with a loved one facing dementia or another age-related challenge,” said Miller. However, in the early days, these startups struggled to attract funding. “Investors didn’t see the venture return potential in a startup whose mission stemmed from a grandmother’s dementia story. It took time for the venture capital community to recognize the value in this space.” 

The turning point came about five to seven years ago when VCs and big companies began to realize the potential of the longevity economy. “Startups needed scale, they needed capital, and they needed commercial deals,” Miller added. This realization laid the groundwork for the creation of the AgeTech Collaborative, officially launched at CES in 2021.

Building a Movement: The AgeTech Collaborative™ Today 

Initially launched quietly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AgeTech Collaborative began with 50 companies. Four years later, the program boasts over 600 participants, including around 200 startups and household names like Best Buy Health, Samsung, PanasonicWell, Toyota, and CVS. 

AARP’s unique accelerator program offers much more than financial investments. “We invest between $25,000 and $100,000, but only after a startup completes our rigorous accelerator program,” Miller explained. The program runs four cohorts a year, helping startups achieve product-market fit or refine their go-to-market strategies. 

The program’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 95 reflects the high satisfaction among participants. “We’ve seen companies like RAZ Mobility thrive by collaborating with other startups in the collaborative. Their CEO, Robert, built an entire marketplace for dementia-friendly phone apps using our ecosystem,” said Miller. 

Supporting Startups Beyond Investment 

The AgeTech Collaborative isn’t just about funding. The initiative helps startups become enterprise-ready, offering guidance on navigating complex commercial transactions with large corporations. “Startups often need help understanding what it takes to work with big companies,” Miller noted. “At the same time, we educate enterprises to be startup-ready, creating a two-way street of preparedness.” 

In addition to providing access to business services, the Collaborative includes top-tier law firms and coding agencies to ensure startups are equipped with the right legal, technical, and strategic resources.

A Global Vision with Local Impact 

Though AARP is a U.S.-based organization, the AgeTech Collaborative has a global reach. About 30-35% of participating companies are international, spanning countries like Israel, Finland, Japan, and Spain. “We see aging as a universal challenge. Japan, for example, is far ahead in terms of government involvement in aging innovation,” said Miller. 

AARP’s Living Labs initiative also demonstrates the program’s local impact. These labs integrate startup technologies into senior living communities, offering real-world testing grounds for innovative solutions. “Our living lab at Asbury Senior Living in Maryland is a two-bedroom apartment filled with age-friendly technology. It’s a model that allows both residents and their families to explore new solutions that support aging well,” Miller explained.

Future Directions: Innovating for Aging Well 

Looking forward, Miller sees tremendous potential in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and smart mobility. “Caregiver burnout is a real issue, and AI agents could help manage mundane tasks, allowing caregivers to focus on meaningful interactions with their loved ones,” he said. He also highlighted innovations like Camino’s smart walker, which uses sensors and AI to assist mobility and provide live gait analysis. 

Miller envisions the AgeTech Collaborative continuing to grow and adapt, potentially co-creating products with startups and expanding domain-specific expertise. “Our goal is to ensure everyone involved in the aging journey—whether the end user, an adult child, or a grandchild—feels supported and empowered,” he emphasized. 

Conclusion: A Vision Realized and a Future to Build 

As a startup veteran, Miller takes pride in the growth and impact of the AgeTech Collaborative. “Our superpower is convening, bringing together diverse players to create meaningful change.” 

Miller’s passion is palpable, and his vision for the AgeTech Collaborative is clear: a world where technology and innovation create opportunities for everyone to age with dignity, autonomy, and joy. As the program continues to expand, it remains a powerful force in redefining what it means to age well in the modern world. 

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