{"id":5761,"date":"2023-01-25T15:23:29","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T20:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/envis-age.ca\/?p=5761"},"modified":"2023-01-26T08:49:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T13:49:48","slug":"national-initiative-will-help-canadian-companies-get-agetech-solutions-into-the-hands-of-older-adults-caregivers-and-health-care-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/envis-age.ca\/en\/national-initiative-will-help-canadian-companies-get-agetech-solutions-into-the-hands-of-older-adults-caregivers-and-health-care-providers\/","title":{"rendered":"National initiative will help Canadian companies get AgeTech solutions into the hands of older adults, caregivers and health care providers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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More than 100 new innovative projects over 5 years across Canada<\/h3>\n

Montreal, QC \u2013 January 25th \u2013 MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL are officially unveiling envisAGE, a large-scale pan-Canadian initiative whose mission is to catalyze Canada\u2019s AgeTech ecosystem by supporting innovators to grow and scale their enterprises and deliver technology solutions that help older Canadians maintain a better quality of life, longer.<\/p>\n

The federal government announced in December 2022 that it is investing $47 million through its Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to support the envisAGE network, co-led by MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL.
\n\u201cNot only will envisAGE propel Canadian startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the growing national and international AgeTech markets in support of quality aging, but it will also bring concrete solutions to communities, Canadian older adults and caregivers,\u201d said Diane C\u00f4t\u00e9, CEO of MEDTEQ+. \u201cAs the primary recipient of the funds, MEDTEQ+ is pleased to join forces with AGE-WELL on this initiative, bringing together an ecosystem of innovators, researchers, aging communities, health organizations, and investors to collaborate and ensure that the solutions meet the needs of the aging market. Moreover, this initiative will create high-quality jobs, generate economic benefits, and bolster Canadian leadership in AgeTech,\u201d added Ms. C\u00f4t\u00e9.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy supporting innovative tech startups and SMEs that have later-stage products, envisAGE will help companies get their AgeTech products more quickly into people\u2019s hands \u2013 and that\u2019s important,\u201d said Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director and CEO of AGE-WELL. \u201cThis initiative will speed the adoption of technologies designed to improve quality of life for older adults and caregivers. We are also proud of the way Canada’s AgeTech researchers have established and powered the innovation pipeline in this space and AGE-WELL looks forward to being able to continue to support their contributions to this ecosystem.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bridging innovation-to-commercialization gaps<\/strong>
\nenvisAGE will provide resources and supports to help companies validate and demonstrate their technologies. Through envisAGE, enterprises will be able to collaborate closely with communities, retirement homes, long-term care homes and private homes, where they can demonstrate and implement their products while creating a pathway to scaling their venture. \u201cSo often, the challenge for companies is to get beyond pilot studies and actually implement their solutions in real-world environments,\u201d said Ms. C\u00f4t\u00e9. \u201cenvisAGE will facilitate the validation and demonstration of technologies in real-world settings, so that products can get to market faster and be widely deployed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is already strong engagement and desire on the part of many seniors\u2019 homes and community organizations across Canada to work with startups and SMEs that have mature technologies,\u201d she said. Areas of interest include technologies for aging in place, autonomy and mobility, social connectedness, mental health, smart homes, telehealth, and supporting caregivers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Delivering innovative products<\/strong>
\nBy 2035, Canada is expected to be a \u201csuper-aged\u201d country with one in four Canadians older than 65 years of age. \u201cThe aging population is one of the greatest achievements but also one of the biggest challenges of this century. Technology can empower older adults to lead healthy, independent, and engaged lives while supporting their caregivers,\u201d said Dr. Mihailidis. \u201cWe are excited to partner with MEDTEQ+, a driving force in medical technology innovation, to deliver this initiative that will advance the commercialization of, and to-market strategies for, AgeTech products.\u201d
\nOlder adults are receptive to technology, said Dr. Mihailidis. A poll conducted for AGE-WELL in 2020 found that more than 8 in 10 Canadians aged 65 and older believe that technological advances can help older adults stay safe, in their own homes longer, and independent. And 7 in 10 agree that technological advancements can help older adults stay active and manage their health better as they age and can reduce social isolation. \u201cWe also know there is a digital divide between the technology haves and have-nots,\u201d said Dr. Mihailidis. \u201cenvisAGE will support technologies that are accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.”<\/p>\n

The envisAGE network will include:<\/p>\n