Triple win for UK companies at European healthy ageing innovation event
In March 2023, three UK projects were announced as the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of the Innovation Pitch competition at AgeingFit, with the first-place winner being recognised as the most innovative project in Europe in the healthy ageing sector.
The winner, and the recipient of the Gold Award, was Good Boost, represented by Ben Wilkins. The Silver Award went to WeWALK, represented by Jean Marc Feghali and Gökhan Meriçliler, and the Bronze Award to Blackwood Homes and Care, represented by Heather Duncan and Colin Foskett.
Delighted to see the Challenge’s project investments innovative work in healthy ageing duly recognised, George MacGinnis, UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge Director, said:
Huge congratulations to our three winners and to all the 14 Healthy Ageing Challenge projects that made it through to the final of the innovation pitch competition. It was great to see projects from all areas of the Challenge in the mix – from Catalyst to Trailblazer and including social ventures. The awards are a real testament to the quality and range of innovations that our projects are delivering.
To enter, each company submitted an application to pitch, shortlisted entries from across Europe were invited to pitch at the event across the seven themes of: Physical Activity and Nutrition, Monitoring and Prevention, Technical Aid, Textile Innovation, Age-Friendly Environment, Financial Services and Mental and Cognitive Healthy. 14 of those selected were Challenge funded investments reflecting the high quality of applications from the UK. Each of the pitchers had five minutes to highlight the most innovative aspects of their technology/product, business model and market strategy in front of a jury of experts, potential partners and investors.
The AgeingFit conference closed with the announcement of the three winners at a final award ceremony, here is what they had to say:
AgeingFit has been a great opportunity, we’re delighted to have won the gold prize for the most innovative project in Europe and the ensuing interest this has generated.
– Ben Wilkins, CEO, Good Boost
Presenting at AgeingFit was a truly productive experience, especially given the event’s highly relevant audience, from investors to developers. Our introduction to how France’s silver economy operates was accelerated, further bolstered by our silver medal win. We are now better equipped to support our international visually impaired community.
– Jean Marc Fenghali, Head of Research and Development, WeWALK
We’re thrilled to have won this award. It’s great our innovation has been recognised and look forward to the opportunities it will provide.
– Heather Duncan, Programme Lead, Blackwood Homes and Care
Main image: Healthy Ageing Challenge Director, George McGinnis
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Healthy Ageing Community of Practice
The Healthy Ageing Community of Practice is a collaborative learning community for businesses, social ventures, researchers, investors and policymakers to connect and share knowledge and insights in relation to healthy ageing.