Deval Delivala’s WalkAbout transforms perceptions of ageing in India by creating programs that promote activity, learning, and independence for those over 55, inspired by international models and backed by recent funding.
Deval Delivala’s route into rethinking ageing began years ago in the United States, where she saw people in their 60s, 70s and even 80s continuing to ski, cycle, hike and drive themselves. Back in India, she felt, older adults were far more likely to be treated as dependent once they retired. That contrast shaped a mission: to challenge the idea that 60 marks the start of decline and to build a space where people over 55 could stay active, curious and independent.
That ambition eventually became WalkAbout, the India-focused community platform that grew out of GetSetUp, a California-based learning venture launched in 2019 for so-called active agers. According to the company, the Indian arm was set up in 2021 and later rebranded as WalkAbout India Pvt Ltd, with Delivala and Ashwini Kapila as co-founders. Public corporate records show Delivala, Neil Dsouza and Lawrence Kosick among the directors of GetSetUp India Private Limited.
Delivala’s argument is simple: ageing well starts long before retirement. She says people who invest in physical health, mental wellbeing and financial planning in their 40s, 50s and 60s are better placed to enjoy the decades that may follow. WalkAbout’s programmes now reflect that philosophy, with classes grouped into finance, health, enrichment and social activities designed to help older adults learn, connect and find purpose.
The finance strand includes practical sessions on budgeting, wills and retirement planning, alongside an accelerator for older founders who want to start small businesses. Participants, Delivala says, often bring experience, contacts and confidence in their fields, but need support turning ideas into working ventures. The 12-week programme ends with a Demo Day in Mumbai, where finalists pitch products and business plans. WalkAbout awards five winners ₹1 lakh each, although Delivala stresses the larger goal is encouragement rather than investment return.
Health programming covers exercise, yoga and strength training, as well as mental health conversations that address loneliness, bereavement and the sense of being cut off from purpose. The enrichment offering includes music, dance, poetry, art, craft and language classes, while social sessions are sometimes led by peers in the same age group. WalkAbout also runs offline activities such as pickleball and brain games in Mumbai, with plans to expand them further. The platform says it secured a small funding round in September 2025 from angel investors and HDFC Ventures, which has backed its push to scale community experiences for older adults.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
