Lawrence Kosick is the President and co-founder of GetSetUp, a learning platform and community for older adults. He was inspired at a young age by the wisdom and potential of the older residents at his father’s assisted living facility. With support from founders of LinkedIn, Yahoo, and Zynga, as well as executives from United Healthcare and Rally Health, Lawrence and co-founder Neil Dsouza launched GetSetUp. This virtual platform allows older adults to discover and learn what they need to live happy, healthy, and independent lives. Previously, Lawrence oversaw Business Development and Partnerships for IFTTT, led Sight Machine’s APAC operations, and was VP of Global Partnerships at Yahoo. Based in the Bay Area for the last 25 years, he is an avid cyclist and trail runner.
1. Tell us about your company and the problem it solves, or its benefit to learners or educators.
GetSetUp is an interactive learning platform designed to meet the needs of older adults—those individuals who are typically overlooked by traditional education systems. As the President and Co-Founder of GetSetUp, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of lifelong learning when it is made accessible, empowering, and socially engaging for older adults. At GetSetUp, we are working to redefine the later stages of life as an era full of opportunity, exploration, and growth.
The core problem we’re addressing is a significant gap in educational offerings and social engagement for adults over 55. The education landscape has long been focused on younger learners—those in K-12 and higher education. Meanwhile, older adults, who are just as capable of learning and adapting, often find themselves excluded. This exclusion leads to a range of issues, including digital illiteracy, social isolation, and a diminished sense of purpose—all of which negatively affect their mental and physical well-being.
GetSetUp offers a diverse array of peer-led classes across technology, health and wellness, hobbies, and life skills. Classes are taught by older adults, for older adults, because we believe that peer-led education fosters empathy, relatability, and, ultimately, a stronger sense of community. For example, our technology tutorials help members feel more confident in navigating the digital world—something that is becoming essential in today’s society, from accessing telehealth services to staying connected with loved ones.
Our platform addresses these challenges by empowering older adults to take control of their learning journey, helping them to adapt to an increasingly digital society, maintain independence, and, perhaps most importantly, stay socially connected. We focus on building opportunities as much as delivering educational content. In doing so, we help combat social isolation—an issue that is a leading social determinant of health. With GetSetUp, older adults are not just learning; they are discovering a renewed sense of purpose and joy through connection and engagement.
2. Where did the idea come from to create your company?
The idea for GetSetUp arose from a combination of professional experiences and personal insights. Before co-founding GetSetUp, I worked extensively in technology and understood its immense potential for creating positive societal change. However, I also saw how technology could become a barrier, particularly for older adults often left out of the digital revolution. This exclusion from technology was not due to a lack of ability or desire but rather a lack of accessible and empathetic resources designed with them in mind.
The inspiration for GetSetUp also came from my personal experiences with my father and my co-founder Neil’s experience with his parents. Watching our parents and older relatives struggle to adapt to new technologies was a wake-up call. The pace at which technology was evolving left many older adults feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Simple tasks that most of us take for granted—like accessing a video call, navigating the internet, or even sending a text message—became sources of anxiety. It was clear that a resource was needed, not just to teach these skills but to do so in a way that felt empowering, community-driven, and empathetic to their unique experiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these challenges. Suddenly, the ability to stay connected with family and access essential services was entirely dependent on technology. For many older adults, this meant feeling isolated, cut off from family and friends, and unable to participate in what had become essential aspects of modern life.
During this time, GetSetUp was just getting started, and we realized the pressing need for a solution that could bring older adults into the digital fold in a respectful, encouraging, and community-oriented way.
Thus, GetSetUp was born and charged full steam ahead with the pandemic as a catalyst out of the desire to bridge this gap—creating a platform that celebrates learning and growth for older adults rather than viewing aging as a period of decline. We wanted to empower them to take ownership of their learning, to become comfortable with technology, and to actively participate in the opportunities available to them. Our platform offers more than just educational content; it provides a space where older adults can connect with peers, rediscover a sense of belonging, and feel valued. The idea was never just about “teaching” older adults; it was about creating a movement that celebrates their unique capabilities and wisdom, turning aging into a renewed time for growth and opportunities.
3. Tell us about one challenge and how you overcame that challenge.
One of the challenges we faced at GetSetUp was overcoming the skepticism many older adults have toward technology. This challenge was particularly pronounced because much of the content we wanted to offer—such as digital literacy classes—was inherently tied to the very technology they were wary of. The skepticism largely stemmed from past negative experiences. For many older adults, technology had been synonymous with frustration—devices that were too complicated, interfaces that weren’t intuitive, and a pervasive sense of not being “good enough” to keep up with the rapid pace of digital innovation.
Our initial challenge was not just about getting older adults to use the platform; it was about changing their entire perception of technology—from something intimidating and alien to something accessible and beneficial. To do this, we knew we had to build GetSetUp in a way that was not just user-friendly but user-first, designed from the ground up with older adults in mind.
We took several steps to address this challenge. Firstly, we made sure the platform’s interface was simple and intuitive. We removed unnecessary jargon, ensured the buttons were easy to navigate, and ensured that every platform interaction was as straightforward as possible. But more importantly, we knew that trust would be the key to overcoming fear. This is why we adopted a peer-to-peer teaching model. Older adults are more comfortable learning from someone who has walked in their shoes—someone who understands their struggles and has overcome similar challenges.
In addition, we developed a network of “Guides.” These Guides are not just instructors; they are supporters, motivators, and helpers. They help new learners feel comfortable and at ease. We also realized that the learning environment itself needed to be supportive and non-judgmental. Many older adults have been made to feel as though they are “behind” when it comes to technology. We wanted to create a space where there was no such thing as a silly question, where everyone was encouraged to take their time, ask questions, and learn at their own pace.
Many of our learners start slowly, often taking classes for three months or more as silent bystanders and slowly increasing their interactions. As they gain confidence, they seek out the communities they most align with. Some then start to participate actively in the communities and go on to become community leaders or even Guides. By creating a supportive community, we have turned what was once a significant barrier into a gateway for empowerment and growth.
4. What are you most proud of or what is your company’s greatest achievement?
When I reflect on what I am most proud of at GetSetUp, it’s the vibrant community we’ve built. Our greatest achievement isn’t just the number of classes we offer or the technology we’ve developed—it’s the sense of purpose and connection our members have found. Many of our learners come to us feeling disconnected or even entirely cut off from interaction with others. Seeing them transform—gain confidence, make new friends, and even teach others—is incredibly rewarding.
Our successful partnerships with Medicare Advantage Plans, Departments of Aging, Departments of Health and Human Services, and other community-based organizations across the United States have helped us bring the benefits of virtual activities to older adults nationwide – creating equity in aging resources. These partnerships have been essential in expanding our reach to underserved older adults who need these services the most, especially those on fixed incomes or in rural locations with limited resources.
By working with healthcare providers and government agencies, we ensure that learning opportunities are available to those who might not otherwise have had access due to financial, health, or technological barriers. This collaborative approach has allowed us to impact hundreds of thousands of older adults, providing them with the resources they need to stay healthy, active, and connected.
Another achievement that stands out is the diverse programming and activities we have developed in response to the feedback from our learners. Our classes are not static—they evolve constantly based on the needs and interests of our community. Whether it’s a course on digital banking to help older adults manage their finances securely, a wellness class to maintain both physical and mental health, or creative arts sessions that allow members to explore their passions, the diversity of our offerings reflects the multifaceted nature of aging. We want to ensure that every learner finds something that speaks to their curiosity, something that inspires them to keep learning.
But, perhaps the most powerful validation of our impact is the testimonials we receive from our learners. One member, George, shared how GetSetUp helped him overcome the isolation he felt after losing his wife. He initially joined GetSetUp to take yoga and meditation classes to help him manage his stress and grief, but he found much more—he found a community. George now participates in multiple classes each week, ranging from exercise sessions to social hours. Stories like his remind us that what we are doing is much more than education—it’s about helping people find joy and connection.
5. Where do you see your company in five years?
In five years, I envision GetSetUp as the premier global platform for lifelong learning and community engagement among older adults. Our goal is to expand our reach to millions more, ensuring that older adults, regardless of where they live or their financial status, have access to opportunities for growth and connection. We will continue to deepen our partnerships with health organizations, government agencies, and non-profits to ensure that our offerings are as inclusive as possible.
I also see GetSetUp becoming a key player in advocating for policy change, particularly regarding preventative healthcare measures and lifelong learning as important elements of health. Education should not be confined to our younger years—it should be accessible to everyone at any stage of life. We seek greater recognition of the importance of digital and health equity and social engagement in maintaining both mental and physical health as people age.
Our content offerings will also evolve to become even more inclusive and diverse. We plan to continue to expand our language offerings to reach non-English speaking communities, making our platform more inclusive. Our classes will also delve deeper into key aging issues from Medicare to resources that older adults need to learn more about to help them maintain their overall health and wellness.
Technologically, we will continue to innovate by integrating more tools that facilitate connection and learning. This may include in-person experiences to supplement our virtual offerings, allowing our learners to join group activities that feel even more immersive. We want to make sure that the technology we use continues to serve our core mission—creating a space and community that is accessible, engaging, and empowering for all our members.
Ultimately, the vision for GetSetUp is simple: to ensure that aging is synonymous with opportunity and growth. In five years, I hope that GetSetUp is not just seen as a learning platform but as a movement—one that redefines what it means to age, proving that every stage of life can be filled with discovery, community, and purpose.
