What SENS Foundation does

SENS Foundation operates in the market as Lifespan Research Institute (LRI), a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax EIN 94-3473864) founded in 2009 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, with 51-100 employees. Its functional mission is to accelerate therapies that address the root biological causes of aging rather than individual age-related diseases, on the premise that targeting the aging process could yield materially greater healthy-lifespan gains than disease-by-disease treatment. The organization does not sell products or services; instead it operates four integrated pillars: Research Support (funding and direct backing of scientific projects targeting aging mechanisms, plus investment in biotech ventures), Education Opportunities (Summer Scholars Program and Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship for students), Longevity Investor Network (curated pitch sessions and resources catalyzing private capital into longevity biotech), and Public Advocacy (video initiatives, press engagement, and the A4LI alliance). Supporting sub-brands include the Lifespan Alliance sponsorship initiative, the Crowdsourcing Aging Research crowdfunding platform, the Rejuvenation Roadmap resource, the Public Longevity Group, and the Lifespan News outlet.

Its core technology stack and underlying proprietary platform are not disclosed in available material; the product surface is essentially a programmatic platform-plus-initiatives architecture rather than a single commercial product. Revenue is generated exclusively through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, including cryptocurrency donations, the Lifespan Heroes recurring giving program, Hall of Heroes recognition, and Lifespan Alliance corporate sponsorships. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on newsletters, social media (Facebook, X/Twitter, Discord, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn), events and conferences (EARD Conference Archive, A4LI DC Summit, Longevity Biomarker Summit), and direct program delivery to scientists, students, philanthropists, and longevity investors. Leadership includes CEO Keith Comito, co-founder and treasurer Kevin Perrott, chief science officer Aubrey de Grey, and director of development Maria Entraigues.

Name

SENS Foundation

Legal name

Lifespan Research Institute

Website

https://sens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SENS Foundation (operating as Lifespan Research Institute) is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009, headquartered in Mountain View, California, that funds longevity research, runs educational fellowships, operates an investor network, and advocates for policies targeting the root causes of aging.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Longevity Research Nonprofit

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Longevity research
• Regenerative medicine
• Biomedical research funding
• Age-related disease
• Biotechnology advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Mountain View

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax EIN: 94-3473864), LRI primarily generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. They accept cryptocurrency donations and offer various giving programs including the Lifespan Heroes campaign and Hall of Heroes recognition.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SENS Foundation operates a donation-funded, multi-pillar longevity research and advocacy platform under the legal name Lifespan Research Institute (LRI). Its core offerings are research support funding for projects targeting the root biological mechanisms of aging, education programs (Summer Scholars and Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship) for students entering aging research, the Longevity Investor Network that connects biotech startups with private capital, and public advocacy initiatives (including the A4LI alliance, video initiatives, and the Crowdsourcing Aging Research crowdfunding platform) aimed at expanding public and private funding for longevity science.

Product overview

Lifespan Research Institute operates as a nonprofit ecosystem focused on extending healthy human lifespan through four integrated pillars: Research Support (funding scientific projects targeting root causes of aging), Education Opportunities (Summer Scholars and Post-Baccalaureate programs), Longevity Investor Network (connecting startups with investors), and Public Advocacy. Supporting programs include the Lifespan Alliance sponsorship initiative, Crowdsourcing Aging Research crowdfunding platform, the Rejuvenation Roadmap resource, and the Lifespan News outlet. The organization functions as a platform-plus-programs architecture rather than a single commercial product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lifespan Alliance: A sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary leaders to support longevity science.
• Public Longevity Group (PLG)
• Longevity Investor Network (LIN)
• Summer Scholars
• Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship

Products and services

• Research Support Strategic funding and direct support for scientific research projects that target the root causes of aging, including supported projects, investments, and LRI publications. Intended for aging and rejuvenation biotechnology research scientists and host labs.
• Summer Scholars Program Educational summer fellowship program for students interested in engaging with the mission of preventing age-related diseases, providing mentored research experience in host laboratories. Intended for undergraduate and pre-college students entering longevity science.
• Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Post-baccalaureate research fellowship for students interested in aging research careers, providing structured research training in longevity science alongside partner host labs. Intended for post-baccalaureate students and early-career researchers.
• Longevity Investor Network (LIN) Investor network that catalyzes private investment in biotechnology companies developing interventions targeting the root mechanisms of aging, featuring curated monthly pitch sessions and educational resources. Intended for private investors, VCs, and longevity biotech startups.
• Public Advocacy Advocacy initiative that fosters societal change and increases available public and private funding for aging research, including video initiatives, press engagement, sponsored projects, advocacy topic pages, and the A4LI alliance partnership.
• Lifespan Alliance Sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary supporters to advance the organization's longevity science mission. Intended for corporate sponsors and aligned partners seeking a credible nonprofit partnership.
• Crowdsourcing Aging Research Crowdfunding platform enabling direct public participation in funding aging research projects, allowing supporters to contribute to individual scientific initiatives under the organization's oversight.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 2060 FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• BioiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• ThalionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• RetroBiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• AgingBiotech InfominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• Rejuve BiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• Immortal DragonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• QuadrascopeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• KlothominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• GerominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• Ora BiomedicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• BetterGivingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• Academy for Health Lifespan (A4LI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA4LI is a key strategic partner for advocacy initiatives. LRI CEO Keith Comito moderates panels at A4LI DC Summit events, exploring geopolitics of aging research and global demographic shifts.
• OpenCuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• AgelessRxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• LentoBiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• National University of Singapore (NUS) Longevity AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance with educational collaboration through the NUS Longevity Academy for aging education.
• XM TherapeuticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• ALSAEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.
• AHLR (Academy for Health Lifespan Research)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of the Lifespan Alliance, a sponsorship initiative uniting mission-driven companies and visionary organizations advancing longevity science.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Methuselah Foundation: Methuselah Foundation is a nonprofit longevity-focused organization co-founded by Aubrey de Grey and David Gobel. It is a direct peer to LRI/SENS Foundation, operating in the same mission space of advancing longevity science through grants, prizes, and tissue engineering initiatives.
• Buck Institute for Research on Aging: Buck Institute is a leading independent nonprofit research institute focused on aging and age-related disease, located in Novato, California. It is a direct peer because it conducts and supports longevity research in the same biological space and competes for philanthropic and grant funding in the aging field.
• American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR): AFAR is a nonprofit that funds biomedical research on aging and trains physicians in geriatric care. It is a direct peer to LRI in grantmaking for aging research, with a comparable funding and advocacy model but a longer track record and more traditional academic orientation.
• Academy for Health Lifespan (A4LI): A4LI is a longevity advocacy nonprofit explicitly listed as a core strategic partner of LRI. It is a direct peer in the policy advocacy niche, focused on legislative and regulatory initiatives to extend healthy human lifespan, with overlapping leadership involvement.
• Heales (Healthy Life Extension Society): Heales is a European nonprofit advocating for healthy life extension through science, technology, and education. It is a direct peer to LRI in the public advocacy and education niche, with comparable mission framing but primarily European geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Calico Life Sciences: Calico is Alphabet/Google-backed life sciences company focused on aging biology and longevity research. It is a broad incumbent in the same scientific domain with substantially larger capital resources, though operating as a for-profit entity rather than a grantmaker.
• Altos Labs: Altos Labs is a well-capitalized biotech company focused on cellular rejuvenation programming to treat age-related diseases. It is a broad incumbent in the same scientific space as LRI's supported research, but operates with billions in private capital rather than donations.
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): NIA is the primary U.S. federal agency supporting aging research as part of the NIH. It is a broad incumbent in the same funding ecosystem and a comparable funder of aging science, with orders-of-magnitude greater capital but a more bureaucratic and disease-specific orientation.
• Insilico Medicine: Insilico Medicine is an AI-driven drug discovery company with a strong focus on aging and age-related diseases. It is a broad incumbent operating in adjacent space to LRI's supported research, applying commercial capital to similar biological targets.

Emerging players

• NewLimit: NewLimit is a privately funded biotechnology company developing epigenetic reprogramming therapies to treat age-related diseases. It is an emerging player with direct overlap to LRI's research mission, backed by significant private capital from tech founders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/senstweet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/lifespanio
• Facebookfacebook.com/sensf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1882926
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifespanresearchinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about SENS Foundation