Can keeping our elderly populations socially active prevent dementia, almost as effective as quitting cigarettes in extending their lifespan and improving their quality of life?

The current world of venture capital and investors across tech are fascinated by the ever-increasing opportunity that exists in “eldertech.” The western world – and especially the US – is getting older. Those age 65+ are the fastest-growing segment of our population.

Today, we meet Fernando Dellepiane, co-founder and CEO of Vermut. His innovation: a community-based app that empowers seniors to create and join real-life activities.

Instead of tapping into senior centers or wearables as a way to measure and manage their health, Vermut taps into older adults’ actual interests, letting them build friendships on their own terms at a time when social isolation and our world’s loneliness epidemic has taken center stage.

The potential promise: curbing the negative health outcomes of loneliness while unlocking data-driven insights for health insurers, banks, and government agencies trying to better serve seniors.

And he’s already raised several million dollars and reached over 100,000 users in Spain as he eyes the United States for his next phase of growth…

Timestamps
00:00 Hello!
00:12 The minute pitch
00:52 The feedback & deep dive
15:29 A question from the crowd

We get into:
Social Isolation vs. Dementia Risk: Learn how being socially active can reduce the chances of cognitive decline – a crucial wake-up call that isolation could be as harmful as a pack-a-day habit.
Building Senior-Friendly Tech: From frictionless onboarding (no passwords!) to designing intuitive UI for baby boomers and beyond, Vermot’s product approach balances innovation with empathy.
Monetizing Engagement and Data: Hear how subscriptions, partner fees, and potential deals with banks, insurers, and city agencies create a unique business model that can serve seniors at scale.
Tough Questions, Brutal Honesty: Can retirees in the Bronx adopt an app built in Barcelona? Will shy baby‑boomer men ever click “Join a hangout”? What traction really convinces US investors?

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Fernando Dellepiane, co-founder of Vermut: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-dellepiane

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