Aging in America News

| Mary Furlong’s Convening Power
| Louis Tenenbaum

| Mary Furlong has been a true pioneer in using the Internet to improve the lives of older Americans. She began this work founding the nonprofit organizations SeniorNet in 1986 and ThirdAge Media in 1996. Since then, she has continued to lead the way, launching Mary Furlong Associates in 2003 to help socially and consumer-conscious companies understand the real needs of this growing market. MFA’s conferences bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists to explore how innovation can enhance aging.

This year’s policy-focused conference, the Longevity Innovation Summit, takes place December 15-17 in Washington, D.C. 

“For investors evaluating the aging sector,” Furlong says, “this summit offers access to the government officials and industry leaders who shape market opportunities. For entrepreneurs building in this space, it provides insights into regulatory pathways, funding mechanisms, and go-to-market strategies from people who’ve actually executed successful programs.”

Register Now for the Longevity Innovation Summit, Dec. 15-17. Use the discount code AiA10 for a 10% discount.

I was fortunate to be a semi-finalist in the $10,000 business plan competition at her very first conference. My idea was for a coordinated service platform to support aging in place—what we now call concierge services. That concept later evolved into the Aging in Place 2.0 white paper I authored with the MetLife Mature Market Institute.

In 2008, I was part of the winning team with a well-developed retail venture concept. The team was led by John Kalb, whose vision and energy pulled together a remarkable group—some of whom remain close friends to this day. The only thing we didn’t plan for was the financial collapse that froze investment just as we were ready to launch.

Discover the speaker roster for the Longevity Innovation Summit

Over time, Furlong’s conferences have expanded to include policy, innovation, and investment, but the core elements remain consistent:

1. Seasoned Experts Who Share Freely. The speakers and panelists are true experts—people who’ve built, invested in, and led successful ventures. Remarkably, they are generous with their insights, sharing not just their wins but also their mistakes, methods, and evolving visions.
2. Newcomers with Passion and Personal Connection. Each event includes a large group of newcomers, many of whom are inspired by personal or family experiences. Their ideas are often heartfelt and direct, though sometimes lacking in market nuance. Furlong’s conferences serve as an essential primer for those looking to enter the aging innovation space—an ideal place to learn, refine ideas, and find guidance.
3. A Shared Mission and Spirit of Collaboration. What truly stands out is the shared dedication among attendees. Everyone is there because they care deeply about serving older adults and doing well by doing good. There is no sense of competition—only a spirit of generosity, collaboration, and shared purpose.

If you’re interested in building a business or launching a solution that serves the aging population, I can’t recommend Furlong’s events enough. You’ll meet future colleagues, potential partners, seasoned advisors, and new friends who share your mission—and your heart—for making a difference.

Louis Tenenbaum is co-founder and CEO of HomesRenewed™ Ventures, LLC