INNOVATION HUBS

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INNOVATION HUBS

Innovation Hubs are innovation centres that bring together academic and industry experts in aging, geriatrics, or medical technology who help address sector-wide challenges and can undertake large-scale projects to foster the development of innovative research and technologies. 

These are centres with specialized expertise in key areas, enabling the dissemination and expansion of AgeTech solutions in Canada. Each Innovation Hub brings together experts equipped to address complex challenges common to the sector. Their work is national, and they contribute to the initiative by providing best practices and knowledge to enrich the ecosystem.

Meet our Innovation Hubs:

Advancing Policies and Practices in Technology and Aging (APPTA) serves as an intermediary between government policymakers, researchers, health care providers, older adults, and other organizations. Based at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, the hub has established a wide network of collaborators who share the common goal of improving the lives of older Canadians through innovation and knowledge translation. APPTA connects the work being done with the current government priorities to best translate timely and actionable recommendations for change. APPTA is formed through a partnership between AGE-WELL and Research New Brunswick (ResearchNB). 

“We are pleased to be collaborating with solution-oriented people through the envisAGE initiative and engage with the incredible network that has already been established. We are always focused on bridging the knowledge translation gap to the benefit of older adults, and this initiative gives us a new avenue to do so. We look forward to working with industry, government, and community to advance AgeTech solutions that improve quality of life and support aging in place for older Canadians and caregivers.”  

Dr. Daniel Dutton, Scientific Director, AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub, Advancing Policies and Practices in Technology and Aging (APPTA) 

The Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN) supports aging in northern and rural communities by making technologies more available to older adults, caregivers, and the health care systems that support them. Their programs focus on testing, piloting, implementing and promoting new and existing AgeTech solutions tailored to northern and rural communities. CTAAN is built on a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia, the Northern Health Authority and AGE-WELL. 

“CTAAN is proud to be an innovation hub for the exciting new envisAGE program that will open up new opportunities and partnerships and allow us to share our expertise around implementing AgeTech in the northern and rural contexts to the network.” 

Director CTAAN Richard McAloney 

Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3) is driving the development of sensor-based smart technologies that monitor older people’s health and well-being to keep them healthy, safe and as independent as possible. In the past year, SAM3 has worked on a growing number of projects with startups and research partners, including Tochtech Technologies and the National Research Council of Canada. The hub is a joint initiative of AGE-WELL, Bruyère Research Institute and Carleton University. 

“The Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3) Innovation Hub is excited to join envisAGE to expand our collaborations with AgeTech companies to innovate and evolve their solutions to address the needs of older adults. Our transdisciplinary team of experts from Carleton University and Bruyère Research Institute has extensive experience bringing AgeTech companies, older adults and care partners together to design, improve and validate innovations.” 

Dr. Bruce Wallace Executive Director, Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3)

Circle Innovation is a Vancouver-based not-for profit organization that works with companies to guide the development of their digital health and other technologies or services. Circle helps companies connect with consumers, tech providers and other stakeholders to solve R&D challenges, grow revenues, create jobs and develop emerging technologies across Canada. The hub is a joint initiative of AGE-WELL and Simon Fraser University (SFU). 

“Circle Innovation is thrilled to join the envisAGE network, a partnership that amplifies our shared commitment to bolstering Canadian SMEs. This alliance with organizations nationwide will energize our efforts to catalyze healthcare transformation, benefiting not only our organization but also the people of British Columbia through enhanced access to a national network. At the heart of this initiative is our dedication to empowering older adults and care providers with innovative solutions that uphold their independence and dignity in an aging society. We are honored to be part of such a transformative initiative.” 

Dr. Sylvain Moreno, CEO and Scientific Director of Circle Innovation

The Glenrose Hospital Foundation, located in Edmonton, Alberta, supports one of Canada’s most advanced rehabilitation hospitals and is distinguished by its expertise in rehabilitation, mobility, and innovation in lifelong care. It encourages and propels initiatives that tangibly improve outcomes for people living with complex conditions, from childhood to advanced adulthood. Working closely with clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and community stakeholders, the Foundation contributes to the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies and innovative care models that promote independence, mobility, and a better quality of life. 

​​​​“The Glenrose Hospital Foundation is proud to join envisAGE as an Innovation Hub. This partnership reflects our focus on practical innovation, bringing together clinicians, researchers, industry, and community to move promising ideas into real-world solutions. At Glenrose, we’re committed to advancing rehabilitation and mobility technologies that strengthen independence and participation for older adults and their caregivers. We look forward to helping accelerate solutions that make a measurable difference in people’s daily lives.”​​​ 

Mark Korthuis, President & CEO, Glenrose Hospital Foundation​​​ 

IVADO is an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral research, training and knowledge mobilization consortium whose mission is to develop and promote robust reasoning and responsible AI. Led by Université de Montréal with four university partners (Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval and McGill University), IVADO brings together research centres, government bodies and industry members to build ambitious cross-sectoral initiatives with the goal of fostering a paradigm shift for AI and its adoption. 

The healthcare sector, especially the development of products for older adults, is an important one for IVADO. Its partnership team, with experience of setting up over 635 collaborative research projects since its inception, will make a significant contribution to the envisAGE ecosystem.

“We are honoured to join envisAGE, a leading Canadian AgeTech initiative for which IVADO will bring its expertise and leadership in artificial intelligence. By collaborating with MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL, we have the opportunity to make responsible AI a powerful driver of transformative innovations that will improve the quality of life of older Canadians.” 

Pierre Dumouchel, Director of Technology Transfer, IVADO

Are you an innovation centre in the field of aging and want to work with companies to deploy AgeTech projects?

Thanks to envisAGE:

  • Provide state-of-the-art expertise to address aging technology issues;
  • Collaborate on the development of innovative solutions;
  • Support collaborative research in AgeTech.
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