Longevity: From Buzzword To Nascent Business Category
The topic of longevity has recently captured the public imagination, thanks in part to the success of Netflix documentaries like Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones and Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever. Once confined to niche scientific communities and wellness blogs, the idea of the extending human lifespan—or at least improving the quality of later years—is now entering mainstream conversation.
In January 2021, Nature, one of the most popular journals in the life sciences field, began publishing a journal dedicated to aging called Nature Aging. In addition, a report by Longevitytech.fund, found that the amount of investment in this field has grown steadily over the past decade. A number of high-profile figures are backing the space. Jeff Bezos reportedly has invested in Altos Labs, which is focused on cellular reprogramming. Alphabet's Calico Life Sciences is another key player, exploring how biology and machine learning can combine to extend human life. And in one of the largest known personal investments in the space, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly committed $180 million of his own money into Retro Biosciences, a startup aiming to extend human lifespan by ten years. These bold moves suggest that longevity is no longer a fringe idea—it's becoming a serious venture category.
But for all the headlines and hype, longevity remains an emerging and somewhat amorphous sector. Are we trying to live longer, or live better? Some initiatives aim to extend the human lifespan, pushing the boundaries of biological possibility; whereas others are focused on the improving the health span—reducing and even aiming to prevent the number of years people spend in poor health. In addition, the science is still unsettled. Many of the businesses receiving significant capital are building on promising—but still emerging—research. This creates a uniquely complex environment for investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers alike. Navigating the longevity space requires not only technical and scientific literacy but also a healthy dose of skepticism. As the field gains traction, the challenge lies in separating breakthroughs from buzzwords, and robust evidence from mere enthusiasm.
In the midst of this uncertainty, one initiative is trying to bring order to the chaos. Longevity Global, a nonprofit founded by neuroscientist and entrepreneur Dr. Christin Glorioso, is building a global community to connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors in the longevity ecosystem. Communities like Longevity Global play a vital role in shaping nascent fields. Academic research has long shown that communities are critical in the early stages of market formation. They help legitimize the space, encourage knowledge sharing, and accelerate innovation.
Glorioso, who is also CEO of NeuroAge Therapeutics, which uses AI to track and prevent brain aging, started the organization out of a personal need. 'When I launched my company in 2022, I was looking for a community of like-minded people interested in the longevity space, but couldn't find many,' she explains. That absence inspired action. Today, Longevity Global has grown to over 926 members, with a unique mix of stakeholders: 44% are entrepreneurs, 38% are researchers, and 15% are investors. The organization is designed to foster peer-to-peer learning, focusing not only on scientific developments but also on the business of longevity—how to fund, scale, and build credible ventures in a field still defining its boundaries. It acts as a connective tissue for the ecosystem, helping stakeholders find collaborators, learn from one another, and collectively solve the complex problems associated with aging.
The community is expanding globally, with chapters in San Francisco, New York City, Dubai, Switzerland, and, most recently, Boston. "Boston has the elements of a great longevity ecosystem—cutting-edge research and a thriving startup scene," says Justin Taylor, Head of the Boston Chapter. "We're building a collaborative community to help advance it further." Recognizing the accelerating role of AI in longevity research, the Boston chapter—together with partners Mindvyne and 3cubed.ai—will host the Aging Code Summit in June. The event will explore the future of aging through the lens of AI and feature a pitchfest showcasing longevity startups, offering a front-row seat to some of the most promising ideas in the field.
As longevity continues to evolve from concept to category, it will require more than just capital—it will need coordination, credibility, and collaboration. Communities that bring together stakeholders across science, startups, and finance may influence how this field matures. In the years ahead, the success of the longevity sector may depend less on isolated breakthroughs and more on the ecosystem's ability to learn, adapt, and grow together.
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