Cambridgeshire is in many ways a natural hub for innovation in ageing – it’s got a diverse population with a significant number of older inhabitants in rural areas, strong startup talent and biotech expertise centered around the University, sizable corporate interests, a healthy new town and some pretty unhealthy healthcare economics of its own, that are probably focusing the minds of many in the area. So it was no surprise that the first Aging2.0 event, held jointly with local impact investor Allia and InnovateUK, was well attended by startups and innovators alike.
The event on May 22, hosted by Allia at their HQ in the Future Business Centre just outside Cambridge, was standing room only. The first section included updates by yours truly on the new Aging2.0 Grand Challenges and update from the 60 city global network followed by Lorraine Morley of Allia who introduced their new ageing tech accelerator (‘Agetech’) as well as a presentation about online health communities by Cambridge University professor Michael Barrett.
Five startup companies provided three minute pitches:
CareRooms
We at CareRooms provide a safe way of assisting home owners with spare rooms to help Patients who are stuck in hospital and want to find somewhere local to their community to convalesce.
GaitSmart
GaitSmart™ is revolutionizing sensor based gait analysis and functional exercise analysis, allowing a true understanding of the biomechanics of mobility through motion analysis.
Kintell
A Cambridge, UK based startup utilizing smart home techology to assist older people in remaining independent for longer
Konnektis
Konnektis is developing a digital platform to encourage better real-time communication and collaboration between carers of older people, be they relatives, friends, paid carers or local volunteers.
Remarkable Lives
Remarkable Lives is a private social network: a place to celebrate the life stories of older people and share memories with those who matter most.
In addition there were 8 informal 30 second ‘elevator pitches’ from those in the audience:
- www.feebris.com – mHealth diagnostics for developing countries
- www.evolvrehab.com – telemedicine provider focused on rehab inc. virtual rehab
- www.astraguard.com – developing a new memory aid for older adults
- www.plextek.com – engineering company developing new home based solutions
- www.unforgettable.com – provides products, services and advice to those impacted dementia
- www.konnekmed.com – mobile apps for managing health and social care
- www.activinsights.com – analysing activity and behaviour data for better health
- www.sentimoto.com – well-being app focused on local communities
And a number of other innovators in the room worth keeping an eye on:
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goshawk-communications.com – smarter hearing aids
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www.hftech.org – remote heart monitoring
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noisolation.com – engagement tech
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kraydel.com – TV-aging in place solution
Exciting times for the local area and hopefully its smaller size than London will make the necessary deeper collaboration between the different players in the ecosystem that bit easier.
