In a bold move that blends entrepreneurship with scientific inquiry, Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal has announced a $25 million fund to expand his health-focused initiative, ‘Continue Research’. The fund, entirely self-financed by Goyal, aims to support researchers and early-stage startups exploring fundamental questions around human biology, ageing, and longevity. The announcement, made on October 24, 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s growing intersection of tech entrepreneurship and deep science.
The fund is designed to provide seed capital to researchers and innovators who challenge conventional thinking and dare to ask “simpler questions” about human biology. Goyal emphasized that the initiative is not just about funding—it’s about catalyzing a multi-decadal journey toward understanding and potentially reshaping how humans age.
Continue Research: Vision and Expansion
Continue Research was founded two years ago as a passion project by Goyal, with the goal of identifying leverage points in the human body that could alter ageing processes. With the launch of the $25 million fund, the initiative is now expanding its scope to include global researchers, seed-stage startups, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
| Initiative Name | Continue Research |
|---|---|
| Founder | Deepinder Goyal |
| Fund Size | $25 million |
| Funding Type | Self-financed |
| Focus Areas | Human ageing, biology, longevity |
| Launch Date | October 24, 2025 |
| Target Beneficiaries | Researchers, seed-stage startups |
Goyal stated, “Our goal is to become a small catalyst in humanity’s journey of conscious evolution. We want to lead into the Post-Darwin era, where ageing is not just accepted but understood and potentially reversed.”
Seed Funding Strategy and Global Outreach
The fund will be deployed across three primary channels:
- Direct Grants to Researchers: Individual scientists and academic teams working on ageing and biological simplification will be eligible for grants.
- Seed Funding for Startups: Early-stage companies focused on health-tech, bioengineering, and longevity will receive capital to scale their ideas.
- Collaborative Projects: Cross-disciplinary initiatives involving AI, genomics, and neuroscience will be encouraged through co-funding models.
| Funding Channel | Allocation Focus | Example Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Research Grants | Academic labs, independent scientists | Longevity biology, cellular ageing |
| Startup Seed Capital | Health-tech, biotech startups | AI-driven diagnostics, wearable tech |
| Collaborative Projects | Interdisciplinary teams | Genomics + AI, neuroscience + data |
The fund will operate globally, with a special focus on India, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Applications will be reviewed quarterly, and selected projects will receive mentorship, networking support, and access to Goyal’s advisory ecosystem.
Why Human Ageing?
Goyal’s interest in human ageing stems from his belief that biology may be far simpler than it appears. He argues that the complexity of ageing has been overstated and that breakthroughs could emerge from asking basic questions about cellular behavior, metabolic pathways, and genetic triggers.
“Biology might be far simpler than we’ve made it,” Goyal wrote in a social media post. “We want to support those who dare to ask the simplest questions and challenge the status quo.”
This philosophical approach aligns with emerging trends in longevity research, where scientists are increasingly focused on minimal interventions that yield maximum biological impact.
Impact on India’s Innovation Ecosystem
Goyal’s fund is expected to energize India’s nascent deep science and health-tech sectors. While India has made strides in fintech, edtech, and consumer internet, deep science ventures have often struggled due to lack of early-stage capital and mentorship.
| Sector | Current Status in India | Expected Impact of Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Health-Tech | Growing but fragmented | Consolidation and scale |
| Biotech | Underfunded | Boost in seed-stage capital |
| Longevity Research | Niche and academic | Commercialization and visibility |
| AI in Biology | Emerging | Acceleration through collaboration |
The fund could also inspire other Indian entrepreneurs to back scientific ventures, creating a ripple effect across the startup ecosystem.
Social Media and Industry Reaction
The announcement has generated significant buzz across social media platforms and industry forums. Hashtags like #ContinueResearch, #LongevityFund, and #DeepinderGoyal trended throughout the day.
| Platform | Engagement Type | Volume | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hashtag Mentions | 22,000+ tweets | Highly Positive | |
| Thought Leadership Posts | 5,000+ shares | Optimistic | |
| Visual Highlights | 8,000+ likes | Supportive |
Industry leaders praised Goyal’s initiative, calling it a “visionary step” and “a bridge between entrepreneurship and science.” Several researchers expressed interest in applying for the fund, citing the lack of similar opportunities in India.
Challenges and Considerations
While the fund has been widely welcomed, experts caution that longevity research is inherently complex and slow-moving. Success will depend on:
- Rigorous Selection Criteria: Ensuring that funded projects have scientific merit and long-term viability.
- Transparent Governance: Clear guidelines for fund disbursement and progress tracking.
- Global Collaboration: Building bridges with international research institutions and think tanks.
Goyal has acknowledged these challenges and committed to building a robust framework for fund management.
Future Roadmap
Continue Research plans to:
- Launch an online portal for applications by December 2025
- Host an annual summit on ageing and biology starting mid-2026
- Publish open-access research supported by the fund
- Create a mentorship board comprising scientists, entrepreneurs, and ethicists
These steps aim to build a vibrant ecosystem around ageing research and position India as a global hub for longevity innovation.
Conclusion
Deepinder Goyal’s $25 million fund for Continue Research is more than a financial commitment—it’s a philosophical and strategic leap toward understanding human ageing. By backing researchers and startups who challenge conventional wisdom, Goyal is setting the stage for a new era of scientific exploration. As applications roll in and projects take shape, the world will be watching to see how this initiative reshapes the future of health, biology, and human potential.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and official announcements. It does not constitute investment advice or scientific endorsement. All views expressed are for informational purposes only.
