Lafayette, California, United States
I help companies break into the $8.3 trillion Longevity Marketplace with clear go-to-market strategies, investment connections, and standout thought-leadership events. As founder and CEO of Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA), a concierge consulting firm I launched in 2002, you’ll see me: → Crafting market entry roadmaps and growth plans for startups and established brands. → Producing the 23-year-running What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit and other market-leading conferences that set the agenda for aging-innovation. → Connecting clients with capital—venture funds, strategic and corporate investors, angels, and crowdfunding platforms focused on longevity. Over my career I’ve raised more than $250 million in venture financing and corporate sponsorships for AgeTech ventures, after previously founding SeniorNet.org and ThirdAge Media. Recognition from TIME, Fortune, the American Society on Aging, and the Silicon Valley Business Journal (Top 100 Women in Silicon Valley) underscores my commitment to this sector. Today I serve as Dean’s Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business and advise organizations including the Ziegler Link•Age Fund, CABHI, the Thrive Center, and numerous startups working to improve life for older adults. Learn more at maryfurlong.com or connect with me here to explore how we can advance innovation in longevity—together.
Mary started Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA) in January 2002, and has since helped entrepreneurs and corporations with strategies for the longevity marketplace. MFA helps with key connections, strategic implementation and investment process insights. Mary and her team are at the hub of where corporations, investors, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits in the longevity marketplace connect. They help accelerate your efforts to win older consumers and their caregivers. MFA is also a strong proponent for the leading nonprofits whose primary job is to serve the needs of older adults, and ultimately promote senior welfare. Mary is the Executive Producer of the annual What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit and Business Plan Competition in the San Francisco Bay Area, the What's Next Longevity Innovation Summit in Washington DC, and other networking events in Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, and other locations. These events highlight the tremendous opportunities for growth, service, and profit presented by the 50+ market.
Advisor to the following companies: Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Funds For several years, Mary has been an advisor to Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Funds, a private equity fund aimed at investing and growing innovative companies that provide products, services and technology to the senior living and aging space. This company does extraordinary work with getting boomer and senior-driven startups off of the ground. For more information, visit their website: http://www.linkageconnect.com/ Alita Alita is the front desk that never closes, built for senior care. Home care agencies and post-acute facilities use Alita to respond instantly to every inquiry, qualify every lead automatically, and book interviews, tours, and consultations directly onto the calendar — 24/7, without adding work to their team. Alita's AI-powered agent is purpose-built for senior care. Alita helps providers streamline staffing, sales, and admissions, so no job applicant, referral, or family inquiry ever falls through the cracks. Alita responds instantly, 24/7, answering questions, qualifying for fit, and booking tours, consultations, and interviews directly onto your team’s calendar. Trained for empathy and fluent in over 100 languages, Alita converts every interaction into real outcomes while giving your staff back their time. No chasing. No no-shows. No missed opportunities. https://alitahealth.ai CareLinx Mary strategizes with the team at CareLinx -- a nationwide professional caregiver marketplace, empowering families to easily find, hire, manage, and pay licensed caregivers online. She has helped this company establishes itself as a platform with more than 100,000 caregivers across the country. For additional information, visit their website: https://www.carelinx.com
At Santa Clara University, Mary teaches the MBA Women in Leadership class and serves as co-chair of the Undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship Program. She also leads courses in Brazil (Sao Paolo and Rio), New Zealand, and Washington DC. Mary loves passing on her knowledge and wisdom to young, aspiring entrepreneurs looking to bring their creativity to the boomer and senior markets.
MFA has worked with AARP as a strategic advisor since 2002. AARP has been a thought leader, contributor, and sponsor for every MFA What's Next and Silicon Valley conference. For the past four years, MFA has worked closely with Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer at AARP, to advance her work of supporting family caregivers through advocacy, education and innovative programs. MFA also has partnered with the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP which has been co-host and title sponsor of the What's Next Longevity Venture Summit, and has hosted their pitch competitions recognizing innovative startups in the longevity space.
Mary gave strategic advice as a member of the board.