The frontier of innovation in the Silver Economy at Next Age Demo Day

23 September 2024
startup, Innovation Center, Innovation

Next Age is the first acceleration program in Europe that specifically invests in Silver Economy startups, which have already raised over 8 million euros so far.

On Wednesday, September 18th, the Next Age Demo Day 2024 took place: the presentation to investors and corporations of the startups that completed the third batch of the acceleration program dedicated to the Silver Economy.

Next Age – part of the CDP National Network of Accelerators – is the first acceleration program in Europe that specifically invests in Silver Economy startups, having invested in 22 startups so far. These startups have already raised over 8 million euros through direct investments and national and European grants, and have signed important partnerships and POCs with leading companies in the sector.

The program was initiated by CDP Venture Capital AC75 Startup Accelerator Spa (a business accelerator promoted by Fondazione Marche, Fondazione Cariverona, and Università Politecnica delle Marche, with the support of Regione Marche) and the international venture capital Orbit Startups.

Next Age's mission is to develop an innovation hub in the Silver Economy. The program provides investments, scientific validation, excellent mentorship, and direct access to research centers and companies within a comprehensive international network. For the third batch, in addition to an initial investment of 158,000 euros for each selected startup, Next Age offers access to two subsequent follow-on rounds, totaling up to 18 million euros, with 425 million euros for the startups with the greatest potential.

The program boasts an increasingly solid collaboration with its two main partners, Intesa Sanpaolo and Amplifon, which together with Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and AmplifonX, create growing synergies year after year and new opportunities for the program's startups.

During the event, the following speakers participated:

  • Mario Pesaresi, President - AC75SA
  • Stefano Molino, Senior Partner - CDP Venture Capital Accelerators Fund
  • Luca Pagetti, Head of Startup Growth and Innovation Ecosystems – Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center
  • Antonio Curci, Global Director – AmplifonX
  • William Bao Bean, Managing Director of Orbit Startups by SOSV
  • Nicola Palmarini, CEO NICA
Presentazione del demo day di next age Presentazione del demo day di next age

The startups of the Demo Day

The 2024 edition of Next Age received outstanding feedback: the call for applications attracted over 400 Silver Economy startups, of which 50% were Italian, 20% from the rest of Europe, and 30% from other countries worldwide, highlighting the relevance and global spread of this theme. The selected startup are:

  1. A pill dispenser integrated with a digital platform that automates bedside medication administration, improving treatment efficacy and optimizing staff workload.
  2. A fintech platform specialized in interacting with senior clients, offering legal assistance for claims, reimbursements, and compensations.
  3. AI-based software designed to reduce the administrative burden on doctors, allowing them to focus on patient care.
  4. A medical device based on a platform connected to a digital AI-driven platform that identifies, monitors, and resolves postural problems and related diseases.
  5. A digital platform delivering year-long wellness programs to improve lifestyle, stress management, and health prevention.
  6. The first app that measures the user's stress level and uses AI to generate real-time personalized music to improve emotional awareness and mental well-being.
  7. A rehabilitation system that helps stroke patients regain hand use and, consequently, their lifestyle from the comfort of their home under the constant supervision of their physical therapist.

"Silver Economy": the new frontier of future investments

The progressive aging of the population and the increase in active life expectancy mark an epochal demographic transformation, presenting new economic and social challenges, while opening vast opportunities that are still underexplored.

The Silver Economy – the range of products and services aimed at people over 50 – is expected to be valued at 57 trillion euros by 2025, equivalent to one-third of the European GDP. In Italy, the growing importance of this sector is evidenced by the increasing population over 65, which is expected to exceed 30% by 2047, reaching nearly 20 million people.