Deepinder Goyal Launches $25 Million Fund for Human Ageing Research

  • Deepinder Goyal personally backs a $25 million fund to support global research into human ageing and biology.

  • Human ageing research will be open to scientists who ask “unconventional, simplified questions” about how biology works.

  • Deepinder Goyal says the initiative is a long-term “multi-decadal” journey to extend healthy human function and enable longer-term decision-making.

    Deepinder Goyal has announced the launch of a new research fund worth $25 million, fully financed by himself, aimed at supporting studies into human ageing. The announcement came via his post on X (formerly Twitter), where he revealed that the fund is part of his initiative called Continue Research, which he started two years ago to explore simplified, bold questions about biology and the human body. Business Today+2mint+2

    Human ageing research, the focus of this fund, will be open to researchers around the globe who are willing to ask unconventional questions—those that challenge traditional biological complexity and instead look for leverage points in the human body system. In his announcement, Goyal emphasised that the objective is to extend healthy human function long enough for people to make decisions with a long-term lens rather than being constrained by short lifespans. The Financial Express

    Deepinder Goyal explained that Continue Research is neither a typical startup nor purely a corporate venture, but rather a hybrid of research team and seed fund. He said the project began about two years ago and has been quietly working with scientists to investigate what he described as a “penny-drop insight” into human ageing that has been hiding in plain sight for eternity. He hinted that the research is nearing its final stages and that more details will be shared in the coming weeks. YourStory+1

    Human ageing research through this fund is structured in two categories: “Moonshots” and “Deep Dives.” According to reports, the Moonshots category will support early-stage ideas with smaller amounts (for example, US$50,000 to US$250,000) for high-risk experiments. The Deep Dives category will back more mature research with potential amounts between US$250,000 and US$2 million over one to three years. The goal is to go beyond correlation, push toward causation, or even debunk existing assumptions. The Economic Times

    Deepinder Goyal emphasised the philosophical vision behind the initiative: he has long believed that many of humanity’s problems stem from short human lifespans, which force people and societies to make short-term decisions. By extending healthy function, he hopes to enable people to think and act on longer-term horizons—whether in health, society or personal goals. Continue Research, in his words, is a small catalyst for what he calls “humanity’s journey of conscious evolution” and “leading us into the Post-Darwin era.” Business Today

    Human ageing research under this fund will require a fresh mindset. Goyal stated that the kind of questions he wants the scientists funded by him to ask are not necessarily the complex ones of “lots of variables and big models,” but rather simplified questions that may have been overlooked because biology has been studied “pixel by pixel” instead of systemically. Continue’s website summary expresses this by saying: “We believe biology could be far simpler than we’ve made it, if only we took a systems approach to the whole picture rather than studying it pixel by pixel.” YourStory+1

    Deepinder Goyal also clarified that Continue Research is independent of his other ventures. While he is known as the founder and CEO of Zomato (and is involved in other businesses), this fund is a separate endeavour purely focused on longevity science. He made clear that the fund is personally backed and not part of his other corporate responsibilities. Business Today

    Human ageing research supported by this fund could have broad implications, beyond individual health. If successful, insights from this work may influence how society views ageing, longevity, preventive health, and the allocation of resources over time. It may shift emphasis from treating diseases to maintaining function, and from short-term fixes to long-term strategies. Goyal’s framing suggests he sees this as more than a biomedical venture—it is a societal investment.

    Deepinder Goyal pointed out that the research team within Continue has been investigating this key insight about human ageing for some time; he said the team includes initially sceptical researchers, and they are now at the tail end of their investigation. He teased that the hypothesis, if proven true, could “fundamentally change our understanding of biology and ageing.” More concrete announcements are expected in the upcoming weeks. The Economic Times+1

    Human ageing research is still a field with many uncertainties, and by opening up the funding to “ask simpler questions,” Goyal hopes to encourage unconventional thinking. The fund’s structure—offering grants at early and intermediate stages—suggests a willingness to take risk in support of high-potential payoff ideas. Importantly, this is not just about established labs; it could empower new voices and fresh hypotheses.

    Deepinder Goyal’s move also signals a growing trend of wealthy entrepreneurs funding longevity research. But what sets this fund apart is the emphasis on simplicity, system-level thinking, and long-term vision rather than short-term commercialization. In doing so, he is positioning Continue Research to be a platform for curiosity-driven science rather than purely outcome-driven startups.

    Human ageing research in the coming years may therefore benefit from this injection of capital and shifting mindset. For scientists and institutions that believe current biology frameworks may be missing straightforward leverage points or system-wide rules, this fund offers an alternate route of support. For the public and policymakers, it signals that longevity is moving from fringe to mainstream interest.

    Deepinder Goyal’s investment underscores his personal commitment: dedicating $25 million of his own funds underscores he is not just a sponsor but a stakeholder in the journey. That level of personal backing can also attract other researchers and perhaps institutional follow-on funding.

    Human ageing research under this initiative still carries many unknowns—what exactly the insight is, how it will translate into actionable knowledge, and how long the timeline will be. Goyal acknowledged it will be a “multi-decadal” journey, meaning that immediate breakthroughs may not be guaranteed, but long-term impact is the aim. YourStory

    Deepinder Goyal has thus set forth an ambitious agenda: through Continue Research, he is offering scientists a chance to rethink biology, ageing and human potential. The $25 million fund is a catalyst—what remains to be seen is which bold ideas take root, how they evolve, and ultimately how they reshape our understanding of ageing.

    Human ageing research enthusiasts, scientists, and institutions interested in applying to the fund are likely to see the application details soon. Goyal’s announcement encourages those who “dare to ask simpler questions than anyone else” to step forward. The next few weeks may bring more detail on the specific hypotheses being tested and the researchers being funded.