Demographics is destiny: People are getting older. Dr. Tobias Reichmuth, Dr. Dr. Elisabeth Roider, and Marc P. Bernegger have developed a unique investment approach called «Maximon» from the desire to stay healthy for a long time. Their longevity clinic «Ayun» will soon open in the heart of Zurich's banking district. A meeting with the three longevity entrepreneurs.
The environment for thematic funds has been more favorable in the past. Currently, the pendulum is swinging more towards fixed-income securities and passive investments. However, the three Maximon partners—Tobias Reichmuth, known to the general public as an angel investor on «Die Höhle der Löwen,» Marc P. Bernegger, and Elisabeth Roider—are not deterred by short-term trend fluctuations.
Sociodemographic Goldmine
finews.ch met the three entrepreneurs for a conversation in a Zurich café. Right at the start, Marc P. Bernegger clarifies: «Maximon is neither a thematic fund nor a private equity company.» On the contrary: They are convinced they have struck a sociodemographic goldmine: longevity.
The interaction among the co-founders appears well-rehearsed and harmonious. Tobias Reichmuth has brought his dog Fritz, who follows the conversation with varying levels of attention.
Co-founder Tobias Reichmuth
The division of tasks quickly becomes evident: Tobias Reichmuth is the visionary force behind Maximon. According to the business magazine «Bilanz,» he is among the 300 richest Swiss. His wealth comes from companies he has successfully built up and then sold in impressive succession.
He achieved his first successful exit 21 years ago. He is also the founder of the investment fund «SUSI Partners,» which invested in renewable energy infrastructure long before the topic was widely discussed, and co-founded the Crypto Finance Group, which was sold to the German Stock Exchange.
«Key to Understanding Aging Processess»
Elisabeth Roider is the medical-scientific authority among the Maximon partners. She studied medicine, practiced as a doctor, researched cell biological processes – «the key to understanding aging processes,» as she says—and conducted research for many years at Harvard.
In Maximon's investment decisions, she has a kind of scientific veto power. The third in the group, Marc P. Bernegger, enriches the team with extensive startup experience. Right after high school at Hohe Promenade in Zurich, he founded the leisure platform «usgang.ch,» which was later acquired by Axel Springer.
Since then, he has co-founded and successfully sold several companies. As an early crypto enthusiast (he bought his first Bitcoin in 2012), he helped build «CfC St. Moritz,» where he now serves on the board of directors, and was involved from the start with the «Crypto Finance Group.»
At the startup «GenTwo,» which specializes in turning assets into investment products, Bernegger serves as an investor on the advisory board.
As Long and as Healthy as Possible
«Longevity,» explains Elisabeth Roider, is inadequately translated as «Langlebigkeit.» It's not just about living as long as possible, but about staying healthy and active for as long as possible. A need that accelerates with the increasing life expectancy and paves the way for numerous business ideas in the health and lifestyle sectors.
We play devil’s advocate: The trend towards longer lives has been ongoing for centuries. Why should this now become a special investment opportunity?
«Megatrend»
«We are at the beginning of a megatrend,» answers Tobias Reichmuth. The most important causes of aging processes, and the associated ailments, were structured by Carlos López-Otín and other researchers just over ten years ago (Link to Tobia's article).
And Roider adds that «biomedical advances are not only evident in new therapies and interventions but also in analytics, such as measurability, diagnostics, and early detection, which are currently increasing exponentially.» These technologies are thus increasingly coming within reach of the general population.
«Longevity contributes to us living as long and as healthily as possible on a medical and societal level,» says Bernegger. «Billionaires seeking eternal life are a distorted image of this.»
Societal Dimension
For Elisabeth Roider, the advances in longevity also represent a key to mitigating societal conflicts arising from increasing life expectancy. «Early interventions lead to better quality of life, lower healthcare costs, and longer productivity.» Tobias Reichmuth recounts that he has tested new longevity techniques in an experiment with his father.
«He is now 75 years old. A few years ago, he cut back on tennis. With dietary supplements tailored specifically to his DNA and blood values and a personal coach, we managed to get him back on the court for two hours without any issues.»
«Operational Co-Founders»
Unlike other investment approaches that aim to capitalize on the megatrend, particularly direct investments in biotech companies, Maximon only invests in products and services that are already applicable. «Out of 14 biotech companies, 13 typically fail in an 'early stage,» explains Tobias Reichmuth.
What exactly is Maximon's business model? The investment company seeks out particularly promising business ideas related to longevity, in which they invest up to ten million francs of «seed capital» each. «In this role, we act as operational co-founders,» explains Bernegger.
This means that Maximon supports the entrepreneurs from the very beginning, including the initial notary process, and actively participates in management, at least during the early stages. «Most startups fail not because the business idea is bad, but because of the team.»
And in assembling the management team, Maximon brings its extensive experience to bear. «We take great care with this; the personnel search can take up to twelve months.»
Investments Starting at 10,000 Francs
The co-founders emphasize that they have gathered «unmatched investment know-how for the longevity theme» within their ranks and their scientific advisory board. Maximon finances the investments through its six partners, including Reichmuth, Roider, and Bernegger, who have collectively invested ten million francs.
Additionally, the company accepts funds from external investors who can invest directly in Maximon's co-investment fund starting at 500,000 francs or indirectly through so-called AMCs (Actively Managed Certificates) starting at 10,000 francs.
50 Percent Above Business Plan
So far, Maximon has helped build five companies in the longevity world. These include «AVEA,» a manufacturer of «scientifically based and tested dietary supplements» that contribute to healthy aging. «With AVEA, we are fifty percent above the business plan,» reports Marc P. Bernegger.
In April alone, the company achieved a turnover of 1.9 million US dollars. The Maximon universe also includes the big-data platform «Biolytica,» which enables large-scale longevity medicine and coaching from «wearable» data (such as fitness trackers), genetic, and other lab data.
Additionally, there is «Frieda Health,» specializing in female longevity, and «Mana,» a company focused on age-appropriate co-living—a project particularly close to Tobias Reichmuth's heart: «Our model for this was 'The Villages' in the USA, which provide 350,000 age-appropriate housing units in Florida.»
«Purpose» Extends Life
The special twist is that all residents commit to contributing to the community. For example, someone with a green thumb helps with gardening. Someone particularly good at singing gives singing lessons to their fellow residents. «There is good scientific evidence that the purpose of one's existence ('purpose') extends life,» says Elisabeth Roider.
New in Zurich: Longevity Clinic «Ayun»
The next major step in Maximon's longevity universe is taking place in Zurich. Here, «Ayun,» the fifth portfolio company, is about to open its walk-in clinic for longevity. And it's located prominently in the heart of Switzerland's financial district at Uraniastrasse 18.
Entrance area of the new Longevity Clinic «Ayun». (Image Maximon)
On 580 square meters and three floors, personalized diagnostics and treatments for a longer and healthier life will be offered there. «For an annual fee starting at 5,500 francs, interested parties receive highly individualized care that was previously reserved only for multi-millionaires,» explains Marc P. Bernegger.
The opening will take place this July.
Investment Window Closes
Maximon is hardly able to cope with inquiries from potential company founders. Over the past year, they have received more than 10,000 applications. «For an initial screening, we had to resort to ChatGPT due to capacity constraints,» say the three partners.
Maximon will continue to collect client funds until the end of the year. After that, the longevity fund will be closed. «For all our companies, we aim for a profitable exit within ten years.»
If you are a qualified investor interested in participating in Maximon and its longevity startups, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Marc P. Bernegger began his entrepreneurial career in 1999, directly after high school, with the founding of the party platform «usgang.ch,» which was later acquired by Axel Springer Media. He is also the co-founder of «amiando,» a ticketing platform acquired by Xing in 2010. Additionally, he served on the board of the Crypto Finance Group until its sale. Besides co-founding the longevity company Maximon and Longevity Investors, he founded the AltAlpha Digital fund and is active on the board of CfC St. Moritz and the advisory board of GenTwo. The serial tech entrepreneur has been observing developments in the longevity field since 2009.
Dr. Tobias Reichmuth has been building companies since he was 21 years old. He sold his first startup in 2003, then built Europe's leading climate change infrastructure fund «SUSI Partners,» co-founded the ‘Crypto Finance Group’ and ‘The Singularity Group’. He has invested in more than 20 start-ups. In 2020, he founded the Longevity Investors Conference together with Marc P. Bernegger. Tobias Reichmuth is a ‘lion’ on the Swiss TV investor show ‘Höhle der Löwen’ and has set himself the goal of living a healthy life until the age of 120.
Dr. Elisabeth Roider, MD, PhD, MBA, FEDBV, is an internationally renowned physician who studied in Munich, Boston, and Zurich. She works at the University Hospital Basel and Harvard Medical School. Her multidisciplinary team includes doctors, clinical trial specialists, biochemists, machine learning specialists, and biostatisticians. Her work has led to various high-profile publications, patents, and awards. Through her involvement with «Maximon,» she aims to support scientists and physicians in transforming innovations into socially beneficial solutions and products.
