GetSetUp: Empowering the Next Billion Seniors with Lifelong Learning and Active Aging

January 3, 2026 12 min read

"Learning is usually for younger people, but once you're 55, you've seen it all—and you're finally learning because you genuinely want to." This perspective, shared by Deval Delivala, co-founder of GetSetUp, is turning the traditional view of aging on its head. By building a global community where older adults teach each other everything from mobile banking to Sanskrit, GetSetUp is proving that the "silver economy" is one of the most vibrant and underserved frontiers in the digital world.

Founded in early 2020, just as the pandemic forced the world into isolation, GetSetUp has rapidly scaled into a massive peer-to-peer learning platform. With 4.6 million users across 160 countries, the platform offers over 4,000 live classes designed specifically for "active agers." By creating a judgment-free environment where the pace is matched to the learner, GetSetUp is helping the world’s growing senior population stay physically fit, mentally sharp, and socially connected.

The active Aging Paradox: While society often views aging as a period of slowing down, GetSetUp advocates for "Active Aging." Research on the social determinants of health shows that we live longer and better if we remain physically and mentally active. Learning is not just about skills; it is a fundamental pillar of health for seniors.

The Mission: A Judgment-Free Digital Bridge

The core innovation of GetSetUp is its **peer-to-peer model**. Unlike traditional education platforms where a 20-year-old might struggle to explain tech to a senior, GetSetUp ensures that every teacher is also an older adult. "When an older adult teaches an older adult, the pace is matched," says Delivala. "There’s no judgment, no fear of asking 'stupid' questions, and a shared understanding of life experience."

The platform bridges the digital divide by teaching essential tech skills—ordering groceries online, mobile banking, or setting up a new Apple device. But it goes much further, offering classes in physical health (Strength training, Chair Yoga), mental health (loneliness, caring for a spouse), and "enrichment" hobbies like singing, dancing, and travel sharing.

How GetSetUp Empowers the Senior User

High-Touch Onboarding: Unlike typical startups that automate support, GetSetUp offers personal video calls to help new users set up their first class.
Peer-to-Peer Instruction: Seniors with a "wealth of information" are trained to become instructors, empowering them to share recipes, travel tips, or hobbies.
Judgment-Free Environment: Classes are designed to be safe spaces where the "digital divide" is bridged at a human pace.
Online to Offline: Successful online communities (like singing groups) are transitioned into offline events, concerts, and day trips.

Building Trust Over Viral Hacks

Deval Delivala’s transition to entrepreneurship was influenced by her early experience at **Uber**, where she saw massive growth from the ground up. However, she quickly learned that the "senior" audience requires a different playbook. "In my previous startup, if you referred a friend, you'd get a free something. Older adults don't care for that," she explains. "They have to trust you. They have to love the product. Growth is driven by word-of-mouth rooted in genuine value."

To reach this audience, GetSetUp met them where they were: **WhatsApp and Facebook**. In India, older adults are highly active on WhatsApp but less so on traditional CRM platforms. By building alerts and content dissemination directly into messaging apps and using Facebook Groups for community building, GetSetUp built a loyal user base of over 2 million people in India alone.

GetSetUp Global Impact

4.6 Million+: Older adults active in the global community.
160 Countries: Reach across almost every corner of the world.
4,000+: Classes available in the catalog, ranging from tech to mental health.
$25 Million: Total funding raised to scale the mission of active aging.
4 Main Languages: Focused content in English, Hindi, Spanish, and Mandarin.

The "Social Determinants" of Entrepreneurship

Delivala identifies herself as a "mission-driven" founder. Growing up seeing her father run a business in the 80s gave her the itch to build, but it was the specific need of the senior population that provided the spark. She notes that GetSetUp naturally attracts employees who are mission-aligned—often people who were looking for solutions for their own family members.

"Startups are not easy; they don't get built overnight," she says. "You have to be passionate about the mission because the problems change every day. But as long as you're building something of value that creates an immediate impact, there is no satisfaction like it."

"Entrepreneurship is for someone who's not scared of failure. We all make mistakes, we all experiment—that’s the beauty of it. If you create an environment where people aren't scared to fail, they will take risks, and some of those risks will have very high payoffs."
— Deval Delivala, Co-founder, GetSetUp

Future Vision: Active Aging Everywhere

Looking ahead, GetSetUp is expanding its "GetSetUp Anywhere" initiative, aiming to reach 30 million seniors by integrating their content into broader web and mobile experiences. In India, the focus is shifting toward a hybrid model—merging online classes with curated offline experiences like trips and in-person concerts. This transition allows seniors to move from "digital comfort" to "real-world connection."

"Lifelong learning is definitely what's keeping them coming back," Delivala concludes. By facilitating friendships across borders—where Americans take Bollywood dance classes and Indians learn US-style fitness—GetSetUp is ensuring that aging is not a period of withdrawal, but a new chapter of exploration.

The B2B2C Model: In the US, GetSetUp partners with state governments to provide free access to seniors. In India, they partner with financial institutions to improve financial literacy. This model ensures that the end-user gets the service for free while the company remains a sustainable, revenue-generating venture.

Key Takeaways

For Senior Care Founders: Don't optimize for the funnel; optimize for trust. High-touch support during the first sign-up is more valuable than any automated chatbot.

For Active Agers: Age is just a number; it's how old you feel. Lifelong learning is the most effective tool for staying physically and mentally vibrant.

For Mission-Driven Professionals: Building something of value provides a level of career satisfaction that purely transactional roles cannot match. Look for problems that affect your own family—they are often the ones most worth solving.

About the Guest

Deval Delivala is the Co-founder of GetSetUp and CEO of GetSetUp India. A former leadership member at Uber with a focus on international expansion, she is a mission-driven entrepreneur dedicated to the "active aging" movement. Under her leadership, GetSetUp has become the world’s leading social learning platform for people over 55, serving millions across 160 countries through a peer-to-peer instruction model.