Researcher Spotlight: Keren Etkin (The Gerontechnologist)

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Keren Etkin at TheGerontechnologist. In her own words, Keren is “an ‘AgeTech evangelist’, shouting from the virtual rooftops how amazing this ecosystem is, how big the opportunity of the longevity economy is for entrepreneurs and investors, and telling anyone who’s willing to listen that we must include our elders in the design and development of technology.”

Grab a coffee and join me in learning about AgeTech from Keren’s global viewpoint.

— Sarah Richard

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Keren Etkin on Scaling Impact and Innovation in AgeTech

Can you share your background and what led you to AgeTech?

Keren Etkin: "I’m a gerontologist by trade, with half my career spent in community services and the other half in tech startups. I’ve been fortunate to see both sides of aging—from hands-on services to cutting-edge technology. Today, I run TheGerontechnologist.com and AgeTech Academy and authored The AgeTech Revolution."

What excites you most about AgeTech today?

Keren Etkin: "Well, first of all, I'm incredibly excited about the work that you're doing with AgeTech NYC. I feel like there is a need for in person gatherings, I think everyone in this industry is very human centric - more so than in other industries. In terms of products and technologies, I’m thrilled to see the rise of robotics and generative AI, which can reduce loneliness and enhance caregiving as we face demographic shifts and a shortage of human caregivers. I'm expecting to have a robot caregiver by the time I'm older, when I need assistance because I certainly don't want my children and grandchildren doing meaningless manual tasks when they come to visit me when I'm older. I'm also excited about the potential for generative AI to reduce loneliness for people who just don't have humans to have daily conversations with because if we're completely honest with ourselves, not everyone has those people in their lives. We need technologies that augment human abilities, and I’m excited to see these products unfold."

What global trends are you following in the AgeTech space?

Keren Etkin: "It’s fascinating to observe how different countries approach AgeTech. In the U.S., for example, you may see startups that focus on affordable healthcare solutions which you won’t see in countries with universal healthcare. So while the challenges of aging are global, each country tends to have a unique profile of startups that try fill in the gaps in that particular country’s system. Globally, I’m seeing a rise in startups that address higher-level needs—like finding purpose in retirement, making the most of later life (tourism startups for example), and tackling the caregiver shortage."

How do you approach your work with The Gerontechnologist?

Keren Etkin: "We’re focused on scaling our impact through content, education, and partnerships. We’re continuously updating our AgeTech market map, running the AgeTech Mastery Bootcamp, and expanding the reach of AgeTech education globally through our work with organizations like CABHI and ASA."

What advice would you give to AgeTech founders?

Keren Etkin: "Always stay close to your users and focus on solving their problems—engage in conversations with them early and often. Instead of trying to sell your solution, listen carefully to what they say about the problem you’re addressing. Also, avoid falling in love with the technology or centering your marketing around it, as most users couldn’t care less, and buzzwords like AI might even turn some people away. In the end, people just want their problems solved."

Any parting thoughts?

Keren Etkin: "Check out The Gerontechnologist.com and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on AgeTech trends, startups, and opportunities."