Editor's Note (6/12/25): The Brain Trust program is no longer active. However, you can still access and benefit from our full directory to connect with participants from across the AgeTech Collaborative™ community — including those who were part of the Brain Trust.
--
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” as the saying goes, and no one is an expert in everything. As you build your company or otherwise chart your path in the AgeTech space, perhaps you’ve found yourself confronting a daunting gap in your knowledge — some process or insight that is critical to your success — and you just don’t know where to turn for assistance. The good news is: Someone out there has the answers you seek. The even better news is: We’re here to help you connect with those people!
Back in August, we launched the AgeTech Brain Trust, a group of select AgeTech Collaborative™ participants who are eager to volunteer their time and share their knowledge and experience with other Collaborative participants. That means they want to help … you!
How does it work? It’s easy. Simply visit the Brain Trust directory and browse the listings there; each participant has their areas of expertise listed. Find a Brainiac whose expertise matches your needs, click on their entry, and voilà — you can send them a message right there from the directory.
After that, how you connect, and how often, is entirely up to you and the Brainiac. Would an email to answer a quick question suffice? No problem. Want to set up recurring virtual meetings for deeper, ongoing guidance? That’s also on the table. It’s all meant to be tailored to your specific needs, and — perhaps best of all — it’s entirely free.
Here are just a few example scenarios to illustrate how the Brain Trust can help.
I want to learn more about government grants and funding, but I have no idea where to start.
Browsing through the Brain Trust directory, you might notice that funding through the government-sponsored Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs is a specialty of Joy Toliver, AgeTech portfolio lead at the National Institute on Aging.
Toliver joined the Brain Trust to help startups navigate the complex grant application process. “I enjoy supporting entrepreneurs who are dedicated to developing evidence-based products that promote healthy aging and advance health equity in aging,” says Toliver. “I want to help startups better understand how to develop a competitive proposal for funding their innovation.”
For a query such as this one, Toliver says she would ask for a one-page executive summary of a grant proposal following a format that she would provide. After that, she’d suggest having a virtual meeting to review the proposal and discuss next steps for getting it submitted. “I would provide guidance on how to apply for an NIH SBIR grant, help individuals identify the right funding opportunities, and offer feedback on how to develop a competitive proposal,” says Toliver.
I’m developing a solution for a long-term care facility. How can I make sure I’m designing it for maximum impact?
Lisa Rill, founder and senior researcher of Rill Insights, could be just the person to help. “My entire career has focused on being in service to others,” says Rill. “The AgeTech Collaborative community members are passionate about helping the older population, and I want to see them achieve their goals because their success is society’s success.”
Rill’s experience has given her a unique perspective on the AgeTech space, along with insights she is keen to share. “While most professionals have a specific focus within the aging industry, I have a holistic perspective that leverages my inside experience of working in care communities as a social worker, industry expertise as a UX researcher and content writer, and a macro level view from being a researcher on all things aging— from government policies and procedures to the social dynamics of aging,” Rill says. “My hope is to help Collaborative members achieve their goals by educating them on the specific needs of older adults from a whole-person perspective, then connect them to the resources they need to succeed.”
In terms of process, Rill would be likely to suggest an initial virtual meeting, followed by a series of calls to break down the big picture into specific topics to cover. If appropriate, she could help work out the logistics for a remote or community-based study. She also likes to use Google Workspace to share assets and notes.
I need pointers on how to make my company more attractive to investors.
As the lead AgeTech investor for NuFund Venture Group, Yasmin Shah brings a wealth of experience in securing funding and building investor confidence. With access to a network of 300-plus angel investors contributing over $12 million annually, she can also help entrepreneurs position themselves for success in attracting the capital they need.
A dedicated mentor to early-stage startups, Shah joined the Brain Trust to channel her expertise into helping innovators refine their strategies, develop impactful solutions, and secure the resources necessary to succeed. She can also offer guidance in building an agile team, creating a minimum viable product, developing go-to-market strategies — all to help optimally prepare for attracting investment opportunities. Shah would be likely to suggest connecting via virtual meetings.
To get started on your journey, simply visit the Brain Trust directory, identify the Brainiac with the expertise you seek, and send them a message right there in the platform.
Meanwhile, here’s an overview of our Brainiacs and the ways they can help. Don't hesitate to reach out!
#TheCollaborativeinAction