GetSetUp Launches 'Startup Accelerator Program' for Older Adults

Image - blog.getsetup.io

GetSetUp’s mission is to empower the community of adults over 55 years of age, through learning new skills and unlocking new experiences. Reflecting on 2021, the accomplishments and passion for lifelong learning by the older adults in their community inspired something new - ‘GetSetUp Startup Accelerator Program’. Anyone above 55 years of age, with a business idea in food, arts and crafts, apparel and accessories, or coaching categories can apply.

For growing numbers of older adults, the best path toward finding meaning and money in the second half of life is by embracing entrepreneurship. Deval Delivala - Cofounder & SVP at GetSetUp explains, “We want to support our community members who wish to become entrepreneurs. We already teach many classes that help members with different aspects of running a business, like marketing, social media, technology classes, and financial planning. It does not matter whether you are just starting, have already established a business, or have nothing but an idea written down in your diary! If you are passionate about your vision and sharing it with others, we are looking for you.”

Candidates who comply with all requirements will be invited for a video call interview. GetSetUp will select 20 participants for the program. Participants will partake in a demo day to present their final business or service to a team of three experts. Two business ideas will be selected for financial support at the end of the program. All participants will receive free coaching and support during the duration of the program.

For the first cohort of entrepreneurs in 2022, GetSetUp is accepting applicants in four categories:

1. Food and food-related businesses
2. Training and coaching ideas
3. Apparel and accessories business ideas ( like starting an online store )
4. Arts and crafts

Program details:

• Duration: 12 weeks
• Location: Online program
• Application fee: This program is available for free to all GetSetUp current and future members.
• Last date of application: February 13th, 2022

One should join the program if they are:

• Passionate to start, grow, or scale your current business
• Interested in making a difference in your local communities with a product or service
• Interested in converting your hobby into a source of income

To be eligible, one must:

• Be over the age of 55.
• Show that you are a resident of the country you are based in.
• Have a business idea or plan
• Members of the GetSetUp community. If you are not currently, you can join the community
• You can devote 10 hours per week going through the online material, completing your assignments, and attending the live sessions

Application process:

• Fill out the application form online, including the following information:
• Tell us about the business or business idea.
• Tell us what helpyou require to get started or grow your business.
• Deadline: First stage applications need to be completed by February 13th.

More information: https://blog.getsetup.io/posts/announcing-getsetup-startup-accelerator-program-for-55

Social Learning Platform for Older Adults GetSetUp Raises Additional $10 Million

GetSetUp has raised $10 million in new funding through “simple agreement for future equity” (SAFE) warrants led by Aileen Lee’s Cowboy Ventures and LightShed Ventures. This follows an $11 million seed round last October led by edtech investing firm Rethink Education with participation from Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang’s AME Cloud Ventures.

Rich Greenfield with LightShed Ventures said commenting on the investment, "The media and tech world has largely ignored older adults, with their obsession around millennials and GenZ. GetSetUp has created a first-of-its-kind media and content platform to improve the health, wellness, and knowledge of the over 50 population globally. GetSetUp creates a community that actively engages its members, building their confidence with technology that opens an endless array of new opportunities. LightShed Ventures views GetSetUp as a huge business, but also one that is making the world a better place for all of us as we age."

Prior to investing Aileen Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Cowboy Ventures tested the platform in a rather unorthodox manner as she said, “I asked my 80 year old mother to take a virtual class on the platform. A day later, my mother had become infatuated with courses on exercising, speaking Mandarin and making Indian food. She made friends, including the teacher in the food class, who lives in India, and a fellow participant who was learning skills from a hospital bed. My mom has been calling it ‘GSU’ like it’s a university. It became imperative to see through the growth of such an inclusive and excellent platform for older adults."

Deval Delivala, Co-founder and SVP, GetSetUp said, "We are excited to use this next round of funding to further adapt our technology to meet the needs of seniors around the globe. In the upcoming year I’m looking to use some of this funding to grow our team so we can offer more classes, simpler technology, and a greater variety of classes taught in more diverse languages."

GetSetUp currently has over 4 million users from over 160 countries. More than 500 live interactive classes run throughout the week for seniors and taught by seniors. Classes cover a variety of topics from health and wellness to technology and creative hobbies. Not only are the seniors coming on the platform to learn but they are also becoming creators themselves and teaching their passions from their favorite dish to leading singing and dancing social hours. The company recently announced a new partnership with healthcare firm Tivity Health that will make the eligible 18 million Americans who are enrolled in one of their more than 70 eligible Medicare plans, able to access GetSetUp for free.

About GetSetUp

GetSetUp is on a mission to help those over 55 learn new skills, connect with others and unlock new life experiences. The social learning platform helps over 4 million older adults in 160 countries stay mentally and physically fit, creates economic opportunities through jobs and reskilling, and provides a community where people find meaning and purpose by sharing their knowledge and passions and forming new connections. Classes are taught by older adults on a highly interactive, custom-built video platform where older adults can connect during and in between classes. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin. Learn more at https://www.getsetup.org

GetSetUp appoints former Uber leader Deval Delivala to drive expansion of India business

Deval Delivala - SVP International Markets - GetSetUp

Usage of GetSetUp's Virtual Learning Platform for Older Adults Sees Exponential Growth, Expands Into Key International Markets

May 7th, 2021, Mumbai, India: GetSetUp, India’s fastest growing social learning and engagement platform for older adults, today announced one of its early investors, former Uber flagship senior leader Deval Delivala, has joined the company as Senior Vice President of International Markets. Delivala was one of the first 20 employees at Uber and led the company's expansion across numerous international markets. At GetSetUp, Deval will be responsible for driving the company’s international foray into several markets including India.


GetSetUp was founded to create economic, social and educational opportunities for older adults, and in the 15 months since its founding, has achieved significant growth in partnerships and platform usage, including more than 1.2 million users in 160 countries and multiple partners, particularly in the health and wellness industry. During the past three months, GetSetUp users around the globe have logged more than 4 million active minutes on the platform by accessing the 500-plus hours of programming available each week. GetSetUp has localized sites in India, as well as in the U.S. and Australia, and will soon launch sites in Singapore, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company already has 15+ classes daily for Indian users and plans to offer classes in regional languages soon.


"I want to help grow GetSetUp as a global platform for older adults to learn, socialize, get fit and contribute to our communities," said Delivala. "I'd like it to be a safe space for them to be curious and learn without judgments and build an empathetic community, particularly in light of the COVID-19 spikes we're seeing in some areas of the world, which can mean more isolation for millions of people."


"It's an honor to have Deval join the GetSetUp team to extend our solution globally and accelerate our mission. We see a huge community of older adults who want to come online and become learners and creators. Deval's expertise in launching new markets helps us unlock a huge network of older adults and solidifies our global presence by offering 24/7 programming for our community," said Neil D'souza, CEO of GetSetUp.


In her most recent role, Deval was Head of Supply Growth for India and led multiple initiatives, like enhanced safety, vehicle financing and Uber's leasing business.


Recently, GetSetUp's social impact was recognized by Fast Company, which named it a finalist for the prestigious 2021 World Changing Ideas Award in the education category. This award honors businesses, policies, projects, and concepts that are actively pursuing and committed to innovation focused on social good.


With the company's impact steadily growing, GetSetUp is working with partners in all markets, including government agencies and large health insurers. These organizations turn to GetSetUp's social learning and engagement platform to address the widespread social isolation, loss of independence and lack of economic opportunity that negatively affect the health and life expectancy of their senior populations. Using group-based interactive education is a unique approach to addressing these recognized social determinants of health. In the process, older adults increase their technology literacy and have access to 500-plus free classes and virtual social hours weekly, helping them develop skills, improve physical fitness, express their creativity and even reenter the workforce. Some learners become so engaged they are hired as staff Guides, helping teach others.

About GetSetUp:

GetSetUp was founded in February 2020 by Neil D'souza and Lawrence Kosick, two seasoned technology executives. It is a live, interactive learning platform for older adults who want to learn new skills, connect with others and unlock new life experiences. Classes are taught by older adults and kept small to ensure everyone can actively participate. The platform helps older adults stay mentally and physically fit, creates economic opportunities through jobs and reskilling, and provides a community where people find meaning and purpose by helping each other and forming new connections. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. To learn more, visit https://www.getsetup.org/.