Healthy ageing technologies invited to enter competition to gain international recognition
An open competition is inviting companies with innovative products that improve the health and wellbeing of older people to apply for funding.
The Northern Health Science Alliance launched the UK Canada AgeTech Innovation Exchange competition on 3 January. Applications will be accepted until 3 February 2023.
The competition is seeking innovative solutions that have reached an appropriate stage of development, has a perceived or potential significant positive impact on a healthcare priority, resonates with local health and social care system’s healthy ageing priorities and is export ready.
For a chance to be considered, innovations should cover the following challenge areas within an ageing population: ageing at home; healthcare and health service delivery; cognitive and mental health; and autonomy and independence. Further details are available on the Northern Health Science Alliance website.
Dr Mandy Dixon, Head of Corporate Engagement and Healthy Ageing Programme lead at the NHSA, said: “As people are living longer, it’s never been more important to ensure those extra years are spent in good health. Healthy ageing is a complex challenge that demands innovative, real-world solutions.
“The UK Canada AgeTech Innovation Exchange programme brings together leading experts to support companies that are developing innovations that can improve the health and well-being of older people for generations to come.
“As an exemplary life sciences cluster, the Northern Health Science Alliance’s healthy ageing network worked with partners from across the North of England, the UK and Canada to form a consortium that will facilitate transformative solutions to support an ageing population.”
Winners will be announced in March 2023, where eight winning companies from the UK will be invited to travel to Canada. Up to 25 companies from each country will also be invited to join virtual programmes designed to help refine and develop their value proposition.
Winning companies from the UK that will participate in the in-person national exchange visit can seek support from Canadian partners to conduct real-world evaluation or establish their product in Canada.
A workshop programme provided by AGE-WELL and CABHI partners will be offered to all inbound UK innovators and the visit will coincide with a major health and technology event, such as COLLISION, in Toronto (to be confirmed).
Additionally, winners travelling to Canada will be awarded £2000 towards travel, subsistence, and accommodation for the visits.