A new competition will see businesses in the UK and Canada bid for support in the development of innovative products to promote healthy ageing.
The UK Canada AgeTech Innovation Exchange has launched a competition to support businesses with innovative products that improve the health and well-being of older people in the UK and Canada.
Eight winning companies from the UK and up to five from Canada will be selected to take part in an in-person international exchange visit. In addition, up to 25 companies from each country will be invited to join virtual programmes designed to help define and develop their value proposition.
The successful businesses will be supported by UK and Canadian experts with in-depth knowledge of the healthy ageing innovation ecosystems within each country, from national healthcare providers, academia and industry.
Companies that have an innovation that addresses key healthy ageing needs, and have a credible evidence base, can apply.
The competition priorities are:
- Ageing at Home
- Health Care and Health Service Delivery
- Cognitive and Mental Health
- Autonomy and Independence
The focus is on innovative solutions that are either in the market or ready to be tested/ validated in a real-world setting, have a perceived or potential significant positive impact on a healthcare priority and are export ready.
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.”
The programme is funded by Innovate UK and includes the following partners: Department for International Trade; the four northern Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) from the UK – Health Innovation Manchester, Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, Innovation Agency (North West Coast AHSN), AHSN for the North East and North Cumbria; and AGE-WELL and CABHI from Canada.
Applications will be accepted until February 3, 2023, and winners will be announced in March 2023. Companies can apply and find out more information here