More than two decades ago, while in the United States, Deval Divlala observed how the older generation lived in that country: they remained active and independent even into their eighties. People over 55 did not see themselves as 'elderly.'
More than two decades ago, while in the United States, Deval Divlala observed how the older generation lived in that country: they remained active and independent even into their eighties. People over 55 did not see themselves as 'elderly.'
This strongly contrasted with the lifestyle of older people in her native India, who often depended on their children and engaged in little or nothing.
Divlala noted: 'When I lived outside India, I realized that what we consider old in India is not actually old. In the West, people in their 80s ski, cycle, hike, and even drive themselves. But we call 60-year-olds retirees.'
She decided to change this situation. Meanwhile, in 2013, Divlala was forced to leave her job at Uber, where she had worked for eight years, and return to Mumbai for personal reasons. She continued working at Uber India until 2018. After that, she took a year off to figure out what she wanted to do.
Reflecting, Divlala realized her desire to contribute to changing the lifestyle of older people in India and transforming the perception of what 'old age' means in that country.
Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Divlala joined the GetSetUp project as a business angel and later became its co-founder. GetSetUp, based in California, is an online platform for social learning and interaction created specifically for 'active people'—the term she uses instead of 'elderly.' This platform was founded at the end of 2019 by Neil Duso and Lawrence Cosick together with Divlala.
GetSetUp's operations in India began in 2021. Last year, GetSetUp India changed its name to WalkAbout India Pvt Ltd—a specialized community platform for active adults aged 55 and over. Divlala and Ashwini Kapila are co-founders of WalkAbout, which focuses on the early stages of aging.
Divlala believes that efforts invested in physical and mental well-being at ages 40, 50, and 60 can ensure an independent and active lifestyle later, even at 80, as happens in many Western countries.
She also emphasizes that there are about four decades of life left after retirement—if one retires at 60 and lives until 100. And this time cannot just be spent at home. 'You need to do something to improve longevity, mental and physical health, and so on.'
Today, people are beginning to realize this and strive for an active lifestyle. Divlala notes: 'My parents' generation is aging very differently from my grandparents' generation. They are definitely more active, both physically and mentally, and they have the time and money to spend on things and pursue what interests them.'
In 2021, GetSetup India started offering reskilling courses to help active people find meaning in life. Skills ranged from how to list a house on Airbnb to working in Excel. After the pandemic, the platform reoriented itself to be an online community and social interaction platform, offering classes in four areas: finance, health, enrichment, and social sphere.
Financial courses are designed to help people in their late 50s or early 60s plan their finances if they did not do so in their 40s. Among other things, sessions on financial planning and will drafting are conducted.
The startup also runs an acceleration program within the financial track to help people who wish to start their own businesses. The second phase of this program is currently underway. Divlala says that participants are ambitious, have years of work experience and wisdom, and a good network of contacts, but they may lack the necessary guidance to realize their business idea. Ideas can range from packaged food enterprises to pottery.
The acceleration program gives participants the opportunity to demonstrate what they create or sell. Divlala explains: 'The idea is obviously to give them a small sum of prize money, but the bigger idea is to support as many of them as possible and help them realize that anything is possible.'
Her goal is to help Generation X become as confident as Millennials and Generation Z when launching a business. The accelerator lasts 12 weeks and concludes with a Demo Day in Mumbai. It teaches participants pricing and product presentation, financial aspects such as licensing requirements and payment setup, online marketing, creating WhatsApp groups, and customer journey planning. Sessions on legal issues and compliance, as well as business scaling, are also held. The final stage of training before Demo Day helps participants create a narrative or presentation.
On Demo Day, participants present their business plan and showcase their product. Five winners are selected, and each receives a prize of 1 lakh rupees.
Divlala concludes: 'When people are 60, it's less about money and more about support,' adding that WalkAbout is more of a community-building program than a venture capitalist initiative.
The second area is health, which includes both physical and mental aspects. For physical health, participants receive strength training, yoga, and exercises to maintain mobility. There is also a program for athletes where senior athletes competing in any state-recognized sport are sponsored for a year.
Regarding mental health, Divlala notes that many older people experience loneliness and mental health issues due to a lack of purpose. She says: 'Although having phones opened up the world for them, it has actually narrowed the world at home.'
WalkAbout organizes discussions where people discuss their feelings and share experiences, including overcoming the loss of a spouse or problems related to illness or poor health.
The third area is enrichment through hobby classes. The previous generation grew up in an era when hobbies were not highly valued. WalkAbout aims to give people a chance to realize their interests through classes in music, dance, poetry, art, crafts, and languages.
The fourth (social) area includes both online and offline activities taught by active adults. For example, a 77-year-old retired banker who studied Bharatanatyam at age 50 leads a dance class, thus inspiring people in this age group, Divlala says. She adds that when peers conduct the classes, people feel a lack of judgment and are motivated to learn: 'You feel, if this person can do it, I can do it too... and that it is never too late to start.'
The startup also offers offline events, such as weekly pickleball sessions and brain training. Brain sessions, called 'Grey Matter Games,' include puzzles, math games, and other mentally stimulating activities to maintain cognitive sharpness. These are currently held in Mumbai, with plans to expand them to other cities.
Course funding comes from private investors. WalkAbout attracted a small round of funding in September 2025 from business angels and HDFC Ventures.
Divlala concludes: 'All our experience is aimed at education, finding meaning, and helping older people live better lives.'