AGE-WELL and SE Health, which aim to move the dial when it comes to supporting older adults and caregivers in Canada, recently launched, The National Impact Challenge 2023 ‒ Bold Innovations for Living, a competition that will bring together selected finalists from across Canada to pitch their technology, innovative program or service for aging with choice and dignity in Canada.

Prizes total more than $70,000 in cash plus in-kind services.

“As Canada’s technology and aging network, we are delighted to be partnering with SE Health to deliver this exciting competition which builds on AGE-WELL’s popular startup challenges that for years have advanced solutions that support healthy aging,” said Alex Mihailidis, PhD, PEng, Scientific Director and CEO, AGE-WELL. “By teaming up with SE Health and expanding the competition to include community-based and youth-serving organizations, we are ensuring that innovation in technology and aging is recognized and directly felt in communities across Canada.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with AGE-WELL on the National Impact Challenge – Bold Innovations for Living. As the Future of Aging Team at SE Health, we are pushing boundaries, inspiring action, and driving change, while supporting people to grow older on their own terms,” said Tazim Virani, PhD, Senior Vice President, Social Impact & Global Initiatives, SE Health. “Our unique social impact lens allows us to unlock opportunities, connect people, collaborate, bring hope and happiness, invest, accelerate, and ultimately scale trailblazing ideas and initiatives. We are excited to strengthen our collective influence, networks, and resources to bring ground-breaking solutions to life.”

Applications & Prizing

With this competition, AGE-WELL and SE Health are shining a spotlight on three themes: aging in place and community, living with purpose and meaning, and empowerment.

There are two separate application categories for entry:

1) Startups (with a prototype, market-ready or looking to scale); and

2) Community-based or youth-serving organizations (ideation or scaling)

The deadline to apply is May 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET.

From these applications, finalists will be chosen to pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges at a live event on June 22, 2023. Category finalists will be challenged to explain how their solution can positively impact older Canadians or caregivers.

The winner in each category will receive $25,000 in cash plus in-kind prizes. The runner-up in each category may be eligible for a $10,000 prize.

Winners and runners-up will partake in the post-pitch mentorship program where they will have access to mentors, networking opportunities through AGE-WELL and SE Health’s knowledge, expertise, and partners in the aging ecosystem and end-user engagement to support co-design, testing, validation and promotion of their products or services.

“We look forward to showcasing brilliant innovations and to nurturing the winners so that their solutions have maximum impact on the health and quality of life of older adults and caregivers,” said Mihailidis.

Contest sponsors are the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI), Spotlight Development Inc. (presenting sponsors), the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) (silver sponsor), Sodexo (supporting sponsor), and SPACES.

AGE-WELL is a pan-Canadian network that brings together researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.

With Canadian roots and 115+ years of expertise, SE Health is a not-for-profit and non-denominational social enterprise, applying knowledge, vision, and drive to impact how people live and age at home, today and into the future.

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