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Berlin Startup On Spotlight: How family.cards Addresses Senior Isolation

In our new segment Berlin Startup On Spotlight, we are featuring interesting startups that standout from the crowd. Today, we're highlighting family.cards. Founded in 2022 by Teo Ortega and&…
JM
By JML
Berlin Startup On Spotlight: How family.cards Addresses Senior Isolation

In our new segment Berlin Startup On Spotlight, we are featuring interesting startups that standout from the crowd. Today, we're highlighting family.cards. Founded in 2022 by Teo Ortega and Simon Hafner, family.cards is a Berlin-based healthtech/hardware startup dedicated to making the digital world accessible to seniors through intuitive, physical technology.


The company emerged from the Antler residency program in Berlin, combining Ortega's entrepreneurial experience with Hafner’s technical background as a former software engineer at Zalando.


Research indicates that approximately 69 million seniors in Europe struggle with touchscreens due to cognitive, physical, or psychological decline. In Germany alone, roughly 8 million seniors lack access to the digital communication channels that are central to modern family life.


This "digital gap" often leads to social isolation and difficulty in managing essential tasks like booking medical appointments or staying in touch with loved ones.


A Simple, Physical Solution


Unlike complex smartphones or tablets, family.cards uses a physical card system that turns any standard television into a senior-friendly digital hub.


  • The Hardware: The system consists of a wireless card reader connected to the TV via an HDMI cable.
  • The "Cards": Seniors use simple physical cards representing different services. By placing a card on the reader, the TV automatically launches the corresponding function.
  • Key Services: The platform provides barrier-free access to:
  • Video calls and photo sharing with family.
  • Music, audiobooks, and movies.
  • Age-appropriate sports exercises and news.
  • Management of medical appointments and religious content.


Recent Growth and Funding


In late 2024, family.cards successfully closed a €1.2 million seed funding round to fuel its expansion across Germany and Europe. The round was led by Brandenburg Kapital, Osnabrück Healthcare Accelerator (OHA), and Healthcare 7 Ventures, with participation from early investors Antler and Birdhouse.


The startup’s mission is to establish its system as the "standard for digital communication for seniors," reducing loneliness and increasing well-being through inclusive design. With high demand indicated by early pilot projects and pre-orders, family.cards is positioned as a key player in the growing "AgeTech" sector.