Older Adults Technology Services

What Older Adults Technology Services does

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit founded in 2004 by Executive Director Tom Kamber and operated as a charitable affiliate of AARP. The organization's mission is to use technology to improve social, financial, civic, and health outcomes for adults aged 50 and older. Its flagship program, Senior Planet, combines four physical community centers (New York City, Denver, Miami, Plattsburgh) with a national licensing program spanning 484+ partner sites across 36 states, plus virtual programming delivered through SeniorPlanet.org and live Zoom classes, all offered free of charge to participants.

OATS operates a curriculum-and-distribution platform built around a library of 150+ courses, lectures, and workshops — half of which are available in languages other than English (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Russian). The proprietary Senior Planet licensing model is a train-the-trainer system: community-based organizations (libraries, senior centers, nonprofits) receive a 5-week onboarding, curriculum access, and ongoing support to deliver technology training locally, creating a distributed national footprint at low marginal cost. In 2024 the organization produced 95 new curriculum modules, published 72 videos, and supported 600,000+ class participations.

The business model is grant-funded philanthropy: OATS receives contributions from corporations (AT&T, JPMorganChase, Microsoft, OpenAI, Verizon/Tracfone), private foundations (Humana Foundation, Weinberg, Bader), and government agencies (Florida Department of Elder Affairs). Revenue streams include unrestricted grants, project-restricted grants, and individual donations. Pricing is freemium at the participant level (all programs free) and the licensing program is provided at no cost to partner organizations, with growth driven by funder relationships rather than participant fees.

Name

Older Adults Technology Services

Legal name

Older Adults Technology Services, Inc.

Website

https://oats.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit, founded in 2004, that delivers free technology education to adults 50+ through four Senior Planet centers, 484+ licensed partner sites across 36 states, and a virtual platform reaching 500,000+ older adults annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Technology Education and Digital Literacy

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Language Schools (611630)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology & Digital Skills for Seniors (Devices, internet safety, telehealth) (EDAAAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA), Community & Senior Center Lifelong Learning Programs (EDAAAMAB)

Keywords

• Senior technology education
• Digital literacy training
• Aging services
• Digital inclusion programs
• Community technology centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Philanthropic Funding: OATS operates as a nonprofit organization primarily funded through grants from foundations and corporations. Major funders include AT&T ($1.3M contribution, $1M contribution), JPMorganChase ($500,000), Microsoft/OpenAI ($450,000 Societal Resilience Fund grant), Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation ($500,000), Humana Foundation ($750,000), Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs ($1.2M), and Bader Philanthropies ($100,000).
2. Donations: Individual and corporate donations support the organization's operations. The organization accepts donations through its website and runs annual giving campaigns including Giving Tuesday initiatives.
3. Licensing Program: The Senior Planet licensing program provides curriculum and training to partner organizations at no cost, with the goal of expanding reach rather than generating revenue. Partners receive access to curriculum, training, and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OATS operates the Senior Planet program, providing free technology training and digital literacy education to adults aged 50 and older. Offerings include multi-week courses, workshops, and lectures delivered through four physical community centers (NYC, Denver, Miami, Plattsburgh), live virtual classes on Zoom, on-demand content on SeniorPlanet.org, and a national licensing program that equips community-based organizations across 36 states to deliver the same curriculum locally.

Product overview

OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) operates as a single unified social impact organization offering technology education programs for older adults, primarily through its flagship Senior Planet program. The portfolio includes in-person community centers (4 locations), virtual programming (seniorplanet.org), a licensing program for partner organizations, the Aging Rewired podcast, and specialized content like the AI for Older Adults guide. Programs span technology fundamentals, AI education, health and wellness, creative expression, and civic participation, with offerings in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Russian.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Senior Planet from AARP: The flagship program of OATS, offering technology-themed community centers and virtual programming for older adults to learn technology skills for financial security, social engagement, creative expression, health and wellness, and civic participation.
• Aging Rewired
• Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes
• Senior Planet Licensing Program

Products and services

• Senior Planet Program Flagship free technology education program of OATS offering in-person classes at four community centers (NYC, Denver, Miami, Plattsburgh), live virtual classes on Zoom, and on-demand content via SeniorPlanet.org, focused on financial security, social engagement, creative expression, health and wellness, and civic participation for adults 50+.
• Senior Planet Licensing Program Train-the-trainer program equipping libraries, senior centers, community organizations, and nonprofits with Senior Planet curriculum, a 5-week training series, and ongoing support to deliver technology education to older adults locally. Operates at 484+ licensed partner sites across 36 states.
• Aging Rewired Podcast Limited-series podcast hosted by journalist Sheila Solomon featuring conversations with aging experts and older adults on current trends, products, and initiatives at the intersection of aging and technology. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and seniorplanet.org/podcast.
• AI for Older Adults Guide Comprehensive educational guide helping seniors understand AI implications across health and wellness, finance, and lifestyle, accompanied by seven dedicated AI classes and an online resource page.
• Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes Program Program recognizing and honoring adults age 60+ who promote active aging through fitness and use technology to enhance their training. Athletes receive a $1,000 prize and lead live fitness classes for the Senior Planet community.
• Senior Planet ExploreTech Program Hands-on technology program supported by the CTA Foundation that brings innovative technology experiences directly to older adults, including virtual reality demonstrations such as flight simulations and museum virtual tours.
• Senior Planet Digital House Cleaning Challenge Free 5-day challenge helping older adults secure and declutter their digital lives, addressing digital storage of vital documents and online safety practices.
• Senior Planet Community Online community platform for older adults featuring forums, discussions, and peer-to-peer engagement to extend learning and social connection beyond scheduled classes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ older adults served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Verizon Value's Tracfone WirelessmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Expanded partnership with Tracfone Wireless to deliver digital wellness workshops for older adults in the United States. The initiative addresses the skills gap in technology use among seniors, offering free workshops in multiple locations and virtually, starting November 6, 2025.
• OpenAIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Multi-year partnership expansion with OpenAI and AARP to help older adults use AI safely. Includes nationwide AI training, digital safety programs, launching OpenAI Academy video teaching users how to spot scams with ChatGPT, and an annual national survey on AI use among older adults. Part of $2 million Societal Resilience Fund from Microsoft and OpenAI.
• Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2024Ongoing collaboration as part of MOMA's Prime Time creative aging initiative engaging New Yorkers 65+ with the arts. OATS first participated in 2016. Program consists of six 90-minute sessions where seniors look at, discuss, and make art together at the Senior Planet center in NYC.
• RementominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot collaboration with Remento at the Senior Planet center in Denver, exploring how older adults can document and share their life stories through technology.
• Fiber Broadband AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew collaboration with Fiber Broadband Association helps fiber providers connect communities, combat isolation, and expand access to telehealth and essential services.
• AARPcoreOthersOATS is a charitable affiliate of AARP. The organization's full name is Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP. AARP provides organizational support, brand affiliation, and collaborative programs including OpenAI partnership expansion and Sponsored Athlete program.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GetSetUp: Virtual learning platform offering live classes taught by older adults for older adults across technology, wellness, and lifestyle topics. Direct peer to OATS/Senior Planet virtual programming, both delivering free or low-cost live online tech education to the 50+ demographic.
• Cyber-Seniors: Nonprofit providing free technology training, mentoring, and support to older adults through intergenerational programs. Direct peer to OATS in the senior digital literacy space, focused on closing the digital divide through structured curricula and volunteer-driven delivery.
• SeniorNet: Nonprofit founded in 1986 providing technology education to older adults through community-based learning centers and online resources. Direct peer to OATS in senior technology education, sharing a similar physical-center-plus-volunteer model.
• Oasis Institute: National nonprofit offering lifelong learning programs for adults 50+, including technology courses, arts, and wellness classes across a network of community-based centers. Direct peer to OATS in the lifelong learning institute category, with comparable in-person and virtual course delivery for older adults.
• Generations on Line: Nonprofit developing simplified interfaces and training programs to help older adults use computers and the internet. Direct peer in the niche of senior digital literacy, with similar focus on accessibility and partnering with community organizations.
• Road Scholar: Not-for-profit educational travel organization providing learning adventures for older adults. Comparable to OATS as a lifelong learning provider for the 50+ demographic, though focused on experiential travel rather than technology curriculum.

Emerging players

• Connected Nation: Nonprofit working to expand broadband access and digital inclusion across U.S. communities, including programs targeting seniors and underserved populations. Emerging peer overlapping with OATS's digital equity mission and AT&T/fiber-broadband partnership work.
• Papa: Company connecting older adults with companions for in-person support, including help with technology use. Emerging peer addressing senior tech literacy through human support rather than curriculum, complementary to OATS's educational model.

Others

• National Digital Inclusion Alliance: National alliance advancing digital equity through policy, advocacy, and a network of local affiliates providing digital literacy training. Ecosystem peer as an industry association whose affiliate network overlaps with OATS's licensed partner sites.
• Cyberwise: Nonprofit providing digital literacy and online safety education. Thematically related to OATS's fraud prevention and digital safety work (e.g., JPMorganChase partnership), but focused on families and youth rather than exclusively seniors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OlderAdultsTech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@olderadultstechnologyservices
• Facebookfacebook.com/OlderAdultsTechnologyServices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oats-older-adults-technology-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/senior.planet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Older Adults Technology Services