Investor Spotlight: Danny Kaplan and Adam Kaplan (Equitage Ventures)

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Danny Kaplan and Adam Kaplan, GPs at Equitage Ventures. Equitage partners with entrepreneurs who are transforming the journey of aging. They have a truly unique outlook, as Danny comes from a startup and investing background and Adam comes from a senior living operator background. Grab a coffee and join me in diving into the origin and vision for the future of Equitage!

— Sarah Richard

P.S. - If you’re an AgeTech founder, investor, or operator based in the NYC area, please consider joining us live at the AgeTech NYC #TechWeek event in June*. 

The Journey to Equitage

Adam Kaplan: "I’ve been in senior living for 20 years, starting with Merrill Lynch before joining a family business and then ultimately launching Solera Senior Living in 2016. Our focus has been on building a high performing company culture and hospitality-driven communities. Over the years, I’ve seen the need for integrating healthcare services into senior living. Building Equitage, with Danny and Russell, has given me a front-row seat to the best entrepreneurs solving big problems in healthcare and AgeTech."

Daniel Kaplan: "My personal connection to aging started with my dad, who was 58 when I was born. I also cared for my grandmother until she was in her late nineties. Professionally, I worked at ClearCare, an early success in agetech, and later pursued an MBA and MS in Gerontology at USC. These experiences fueled my passion for senior care, leading to my work at Generator Ventures and now co-founding Equitage. Adam and I are joined by our partner Russell Hirsch, a Managing Director and co-founder of Equitage Ventures. Russell brings more than 30 years of venture capital experience to the team. He was Co-founder of Prospect Ventures Fund II and III life science venture funds, with more than $1 billion in capital under management. Prior to Prospect, he was a Partner in the Healthcare Technology group at Mayfield."

Building a Unique Investment Thesis

Adam Kaplan: "Equitage is a niche fund focusing exclusively on healthcare and senior care. Unlike broader funds, our entire team lives and breathes this sector. We offer strategic value beyond capital, engaging deeply with entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of healthcare and drive innovation."

Daniel Kaplan: "We aim to support companies across the care continuum, from home care to senior living and from acute care to post-acute care. Our goal is to make every care setting and every stop on the care continuum better. We're particularly excited about community-based care models like adult day centers, specialty care integration with value-based care models and primary care, and addressing the staffing crisis in healthcare."

Vision for the Future

Adam Kaplan: "The integration of healthcare in senior living and improving mental and behavioral health services are 2 investment themes that align with my expertise and passions. These sectors are underserved and offer significant opportunities for impact."

Daniel Kaplan: "I see the home as no longer the lowest cost site of care. Community-based care is crucial for the future. We need more CNAs, HHAs, and PCAs, and we must make caregiving a respected career path."

Partnering with Innovators

Daniel Kaplan: "We're partner with entrepreneurs transforming the journey of aging. Whether through investment or support, we want to engage with and learn from the brightest minds in agetech. Our door is always open. Our LP base represents every care setting on the continuum of care. We aim to create value for companies through our diligence process. "

Adam Kaplan: "Attracting top talent to AgeTech is critical. The future of this industry relies on the next generation of innovators who are passionate about making a difference."

Onwards with Equitage

As I meet more AgeTech founders and operators, I continue to be impressed by the deep personal calling most folks in the industry feel for the space. Meeting Danny and Adam, it’s clear that personal connection exists on the investor side as well, as they have both dedicated their careers to serving older adults in some capacity. I’m excited to follow along as they approach the market from a vantage point with experience on all sides of the equation: building and investing in AgeTech software, as well as operating senior living facilities.

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*Tech Week, (presented by a16z) is a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. NY Tech Week takes place June 3-9.