Eight startups have been selected by the jury of the Longevity World Forum (LWF) as the projects with the greatest potential to extend lifespan and promote healthy ageing. They will compete in the final round to receive investor support and strategic mentoring. The finalists of the competition promoted by LWF will showcase how their solutions can help improve quality of life beyond the age of 100 during the global ageing summit, which will take place from 18 to 20 February 2026 at La Nave (Madrid). These innovative solutions address ageing and chronic diseases through prevention, early diagnosis and regeneration, using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, genetics, microbiota, 3D bioprinting and biomarkers.
The selected startups are 4Habits, an AI- and neuroscience-based digital wellbeing and longevity coach focused on habits related to nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, mindset and recovery; N-Gene, a platform that integrates predictive genetics into routine clinical practice to estimate the risk of developing multifactorial diseases; Celentis, which develops sensors for cellular ageing research with rapid, real-time detection in in vivo and ex vivo models; Aitheroscope, an AI solution that analyses retinal images to non-invasively detect subclinical atherosclerosis in Primary Care; Biotasmart, which analyses gut microbiota through metagenomic sequencing and AI to generate personalised nutritional recommendations; Regetemat 3D, a personalised 3D bioprinting solution with bioreactors for joint regeneration and advanced therapies; Xcure, which develops customised 3D-printed bone implants for complex orthopaedic and trauma cases such as large bone defects or prosthesis revisions; and NIB Biotec, a non-invasive urine test for advanced prostate cancer diagnosis based on proprietary molecular biomarkers.
“The aim of this competition is to give visibility to still early-stage but highly promising projects and to support their funding and implementation. The selected startups offer solutions that seek to address unmet needs,” explains Francisco Larrey, Director of LWF.
According to the Longevity & Healthy Ageing 2024 report, there are around 400 startups focused on healthy ageing in the European market. This segment is growing faster than the rest of the health-tech sector, with particularly strong growth in nutrition and supplements and preventive health.
The jury that selected the finalist projects assessed, among other factors, the impact of the proposals on longevity and healthy ageing, their real potential to deliver scientific advances in fields related to longevity, and their degree of innovation.
Two winners will emerge from the startup competition: the Best Longevity Pitch Award and the Longevity Potential Award. The prizes include a personalised mentoring session with industry experts; media visibility through the congress and strategic partners; access to meetings with investment funds and private investors; and strategic brand and/or communication consulting aimed at enhancing the project’s value, supporting investment fundraising and differentiation in the market (this benefit is exclusive to the Longevity Potential Award). In addition, the winners will receive four passes to LFW 2027.
