AgeGroup is a proud media partner of AgeingFit 2024, taking place in Lille, France, on the 11th and 12th of March 2024. Ahead of the event, we’ve interviewed several individuals participating in the event to learn more about them and their businesses. In this feature, we meet Jordi Ferrer from Ship2B Ventures.

Hi Jordi, thanks for taking the time to meet with us. Please go ahead and introduce yourself and your business to our readers.

Hi everyone. I’m Jordi Ferrer from Ship2B Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments aiming to improve quality of life of the elderly, impaired people and people with chronic diseases.

Thank you for outlining your business and what is a really important mission. At present, what are your key investments in this field?

Qida → Home care
Envita → Humanized attention in residences
Rx Longevity → Longevity programme for seniors
Galeneo → At home hospitalization
LuraCare → Dental care in residences

Thanks for sharing those. So, is healthy ageing a field like any other?

No it is not. Although the silver economy is booming, healthy ageing is a very difficult sector because of the intense care that seniors require, as well as risk factors associated. It is a huge sector that will grow exponentially (we only need to look at demographics), but currently is strongly dependent on old assistive models, and even in voluntarism.

So what is your vision of the field and of innovation?

The field is meant to dramatically change in the near future, as there is not enough support from the current system. As society gets older and lifespan increases, it gets more important to 1) make sure people stay healthier longer; and 2) that there are enough resources to manage (chronic) patients. Technology is meant to have a main role in this new paradigm as it will allow significant escalation and reach at a reduced cost.

Do you treat a project related to longevity with the same criteria or does it imply specific requirements for you to invest? In your opinion what would be required to accelerate the field?

As we are a fund focused on ageing and longevity, we treat these projects as any others. I think we need more support from government and regulation in order to accelerate adoption, as it is currently depending too much on social initiatives and voluntarism. Healthcare system should have a broader coverage towards longevity and ageing.

What is your role at AgeingFit 2024? Where and how can attendees connect with you both at the event and elsewhere?

I will be speaking at the panel session called “Taking healthy ageing to the next level”, on Monday at 9:30am. I’ll be happy to meet anyone during lunch breaks or even after the sessions end.

It’s a great pleasure to be part of this event.

And it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Thanks again for your time.

You can learn more about Ship2B Ventures at https://www.ship2bventures.com/en/.

AgeingFit 2024 takes place across 11th – 12th March.