Lammering (57) plans to establish a center to make advanced lung testing more widely accessible and affordable. She resigned from her job at a hospital in Rotterdam during the online program. She said during the final of Silver Starters:

Over a hundred people watched the online final, which was hosted by Aegon. The five finalists pitched their business ideas to an expert jury that included Nadine Klokke, CEO of Knab, Aegon's online bank in the Netherlands. After deliberating, the jury unanimous named Lammering as the winner, saying they were particularly impressed by her determination and the relevance of her concept.

Willy de Heer, another finalist, was awarded the audience prize for her concept of a VR learning game. An interview with her was published on Aegon.com in early March. You can read it here.

Entrepreneurs at any age

Older entrepreneurs are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and internationally. "The next Mark Zuckerberg will be 64 instead of 28," noted jury member Arjan in ‘t Veld at the start of the final.

Yet most start-up courses are tailored to young entrepreneurs, according to Mike Mansfield, Program Director of the Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement (ACLR). In response, Aegon – working via the ACLR – and Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging (LAVA) set up Silver Starters. More than 80 enthusiastic participants completed the 2021 program that featured modules, lectures by experts and guidance by coaches.

LAVA is a knowledge institute that strives to improve the quality of life of older people by creating opportunities for a vital and meaningful life, closely connected within the community. Aegon wants to enable people to make conscious choices that will assist them to achieve healthy financial futures. In addition, Aegon supports initiatives that contribute to the well-being and vitality of older people.