2026 AgeTech Connect Summit at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging
AgeTech Connect 2026 Summit
📍 The Buck Institute for Research on Aging | September 18, 2026
After a sold-out debut last year in Atlanta, AgeTech Connect is heading to the West Coast — and seats are already filling fast.
Why this matters now: Sweeping shifts in population demographics, a worsening workforce and "care force" shortage, new CMS priorities, and the Rural Health Transformation program demand innovation and collaboration at scale. This Summit brings together the leaders shaping that response — through keynotes, workshops, panels, and breakout sessions designed to inform, challenge, and move the sector forward.
The day begins with a brain-healthy "Breakfast With Purpose," followed by a morning keynote from Amy Kaszak, CEO of Naborforce, setting the tone for the day.
Built for founders — two ways to connect with investors:
1. Inside the NIA SBIR/STTR Programs: Seed Funding, Priorities, and Applicant Guidance
Thursday, September 17 | 2:30–4:30 PM PDT | The Buck Institute
Join the National Institute on Aging for an interactive workshop on how the SBIR and STTR programs provide $150M+ annually in non-dilutive seed funding to support technologies that improve health and well-being for older adults. The session covers program fundamentals, recent updates, NIA priorities, and the funding decision process — plus 1:1 meetings with NIA program staff for individualized feedback on your proposal. Open to SBIR/STTR newcomers, previously funded companies, and academic researchers exploring entrepreneurship.
2. Accelerate Investment in AgeTech and Longevity — A Funders and Founders Breakout Session
Friday, September 18 | Time TBA | AgeTech Connect Summit
Exclusively for founders actively raising, or planning to raise in the next 12 months. This is NOT a typical investor panel — it's a closed-door, transparent dialogue on fundraising strategy, round size, timing, business model, and sector headwinds and tailwinds.
Panel:
Danny Kaplan, General Partner, Equitage Ventures
Sarah Thomas, Venture Partner, AgeTech Capital and the AgeTech Investor Network (ATIN)
Ramesh Kumar, Ph.D., Program Officer, Small Business Programs, National Institute on Aging
Bailey Paxton, Director of Venture Investment and Innovation, Right At Home
Julie Wroblewski, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Magnify Ventures
Athena Shea, Healthcare Investor, B Capital
Moderated by Brett Arndt, Founder and CEO, EXF
Seating is limited — RSVP today and select the "Founders Pass" to reserve your spot. Founder ticket prices have been lowered this year to make these sessions more accessible.
Also on the agenda — keynotes, breakout sessions, and fireside chats on the trends shaping AgeTech and longevity:
Collaboration and Innovation to Improve Rural Health — Moderated by Lindsey Niemeier, Summit Co-Chair and CEO of TCARE
Exploring New CMS Programs and Care Models — Moderated by Liz Cramer, Healthcare Strategist for Post-Acute and Senior Care, CDW
The Pace of Innovation for a Care Force In Crisis — Moderated by Ron Schaefer, CEO of Emerald Communities
Expanding Brain Health in Longevity Research (Breakout Session) — Moderated by John Ralston, Founder and CEO of NEURSANTYS
Designing For The 100 Year Life (Breakout Session) — Moderated by Abby Levy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Primetime Partners
The Power of Movement "From Head to Toe" to Extend Healthspan — Moderated by Emily Steedman, Senior Advisor to AgeTech Connect SF, and Founder and CEO of Longevity Land
👉 Register now — last year's Summit sold out, and space at the Buck Institute is limited.