AI startups are raising at valuations reminiscent of the dot-com boom, as investors chase the scent of exponential growth opportunities arising from the application of a transformative technology. However, the AI hype is overshadowing another transformative boom, which also presents a high-growth opportunity, but is not yet fundraising at a premium.
As people live for longer, the global population continues to rise. In 2024, over 10 per cent of the global population was aged over 65, which represents 830 million people. In addition to this, almost 20 per cent of the population of Europe and North America were aged over 65 in 2024.
By 2050, it is estimated that one in four Europeans and North Americans will be aged over 65. Added to the ageing populations of Asia and Latin America, it is estimated that up to 1.6 billion people could be aged over 65 by 2050 – outnumbering children under five by two-to-one as life expectancy climbs and global fertility rates continue to fall.
An US$8 trillion opportunity
In March 2025, UBS reported that this demographic change toward an older global population is creating new opportunities that could be worth US$8 trillion within this decade. Living longer has also come with a new focus for many on wanting to live ‘well’, with a hard focus on extending the ‘human healthspan’ – the period of life that is lived in good health.
One of the primary beneficiaries of the US$8 trillion opportunity will be consumer industries focused on fitness, holistic wellness, nutrition and longevity. The hospitality sector will also be a major beneficiary as a rapidly growing cohort of over 65s turn their immense spending power toward leisure activities, travel and tourism.
The spending power of this growing cohort is already substantial. In the USA, people aged over 70 represent 13 per cent of the population but control 31 per cent of the national wealth. The ‘silver tsunami’ is the fastest-growing consumer group, representing the highest share of all spending.
A boom in the silver dollar
Alternative medicines and holistic wellness will form a growing part of spending amongst over 65’s. Rising demand for holistic, preventative health solutions is being driven by growing scepticism toward the pharmaceutical industry and increasing awareness of the benefits of preventing illness before medical treatment is needed.
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Fitness solutions and services are also projected to boom as awareness of the importance of regular exercise to increase healthspan grows. Whilst 18–34-year-olds continue to hold 30.9 per cent of gym memberships, memberships held by people aged 55 and over are the fastest-growing group, and studies show that today it is the Baby Boomers who visit the gym the most.
UBS also predicts that the hotel industry attributable to the over-65s will grow from US$259 billion in 2023 to US$412 billion by 2030. The over-65 cohort has a higher propensity to spend than younger generations, and they spend more whilst travelling, which also implies growing margins for hoteliers who focus on over-65s and provide a suite of wellness-focused offerings.
Healthspan as a service
Inevitably, AI is set to play a central role in the future of longevity. Its ability to detect diseases at an early stage and support personalised treatment options is already improving health outcomes, while accelerating drug discovery and life-extending medical innovations.
Perhaps more interesting is the likely emergence of solutions that intersect both longevity and AI to help users improve and extend their healthspan. A growing body of research highlights the importance of nutrition in regulating ageing processes and the development of age-related diseases, with further studies emphasising exercise.
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Given the importance of behaviour changes in favour of healthy eating, exercise and general wellness, it is easy to envisage AI playing a major part in powering ‘healthspan as a service’ solutions. One where every over-65 has AI-powered applications on their smartphone to monitor their vitals and to provide ‘live’ personalised nutrition advice.
Going long on longevity
Some analysts caution that AI investment is being driven more by hype than fundamentals, with startups often valued at over 23x revenue, despite high capital requirements, uncertain commercial viability, and the fact that the true value of AI has yet to be realised.
In contrast, longevity is rooted in clear, measurable fundamentals. Backed by growing consumer demand for solutions to help live longer, healthier lives, the wellness sector is attracting serious attention from venture capital and sovereign wealth funds – positioning it as a credible source of the next generation of unicorns.
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