10 start-ups to watch in the longevity economy

The world is undergoing a demographic revolution – by 2030, 1 in 6 people will be aged 60 years or older globally. In South Korea, one of the fastest-ageing countries, 20% of the population will be 65 or older by 2025, marking its transformation into a “super-aged” society. By 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65, signalling a seismic shift in the population landscape. In sub-Saharan Africa, where youth dominate demographics today, a dramatic shift is coming. The over-60 population is set to skyrocket from 50 million in 2020 to an astonishing 600 million by 2100.

These demographic trends are often seen as challenges, but with an innovative mindset, they can create valuable opportunities. When approached proactively, these changes can drive economic growth, innovation and social change. Societies that respond effectively can reap significant benefits, as seen in South Korea's Good Job 5060 programme. This initiative reskilled 1,000 middle-aged individuals and generated an estimated $4 million in economic and social value, with a social return on investment of 4.7. Achieving a 65% success rate — well above previous benchmarks — the programme illustrates how innovation can turn the challenges of ageing into a powerful force for positive social development.

Start-ups are also playing an increasingly pivotal role to drive innovation towards healthier and more financially resilient lives across longer lifespans. Recognizing this trend, UpLink, the early-stage innovation ecosystem of the World Economic Forum, and the Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems have partnered with Manulife to leverage innovation to accelerate the longevity economy. This three-year partnership aims to build a thriving ecosystem that enables growth in longevity-focused solutions and promotes a more accurate understanding of longevity. By redefining longevity to encompass increasing years spent in good health and the means to finance these years, this initiative supports holistic approaches to enhancing life quality over a narrow focus on longer lifetimes.

UpLink ran an Innovation Challenge — the Prospering in Longevity Challenge — to source 10 early-stage startups with high-potential solutions to strengthen financial resilience over longer lifespans and adopt a preventative approach to healthcare.

The 10 winners were selected from over 130 submissions and will each receive C$50,000 in prize money from Manulife. The challenge was supported by APG Asset Management, IDB Lab, Mercer, Primetime Partners, Stanford Center on Longevity, Swiss Re and The Innovation Foundation.