Cutting-edge AgeTech from across Canada was on display at AGE-WELL 2025.
AGE-WELL’s 10th Annual Conference in Montreal brought together more than 450 researchers, trainees, older adults, caregivers and partners from industry, government and the community. Over two days, October 22 and 23, participants gathered to explore how technology can help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life, while also supporting caregivers.
The sold-out event featured more than 100 presenters and over 30 exhibits and demos showcasing the latest AgeTech innovations from across Canada. Presentations covered topics such as innovation in dementia care, the digital shift in care, and the growing impact of AgeTech.
In addition, the envisAGE Forum, co-located alongside the AGE-WELL Conference, took place on October 22. Co-hosted by MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL, the Forum put a spotlight on the integration and adoption of AgeTech solutions. Read more.
Kicking off the AGE-WELL conference, Bridgette Murphy, CEO of AGE-WELL, said, “The theme of this year’s conference – Collaborate – Innovate – Elevate – captures the essence of our work. It’s about collaboration across disciplines, sectors and communities to create innovative solutions that elevate and empower us all to age with dignity, independence and vitality.” Her message set the stage for a day of ideas and collaboration.
The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), delivered opening remarks. From left: Bridgette Murphy, CEO, AGE-WELL; Laura Tamblyn Watts, Board member, AGE-WELL and President & CEO, CanAge; The Honourable Stephanie McLean; and Ian Struthers, Chair, AGE-WELL Board of Directors.
In opening remarks, The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), offered an inspiring perspective on how technology and innovation can make a difference in the lives of older adults. “In just 10 years, AGE-WELL has developed nearly 200 technologies and services to support healthy aging – and many of those innovations are already working in the homes of older Canadians across the country, working to make life better, safer and more connected,” said Secretary McLean.
“Whether its virtual reality programs for people living with dementia, wearable tech that helps monitor health, or augmented reality tools to prevent falls, your work makes like easier and safer. But these are not just cool gadgets. These are tools that honour independence and support well-being,” she said.
“And AGE-WELL is truly leading the way in showing how innovations can be compassionate. We need more of that, especially as we see the growth of AI and other technology in this world. You’re not just building tech, you’re building trust. You are listening to older Canadians, understanding their needs and designing solutions that truly make a difference,” said Secretary McLean.
“Congratulations on 10 incredible years. I have no doubt that you will bring incredible things in the next 10.”
A decade of innovation
In a special session titled A Decade of Innovation and Impact: AGE-WELL, AgeTech and the Future of Aging, Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Founding Scientific Director and Vice-Chair of Research on the AGE-WELL Board, shared insights on AGE-WELL’s success.
AGE-WELL 2025 included a panel session on Responsible AgeTech, AI and Ethics: A Critical Conversation.
“All of you should be so proud of what we’ve achieved and what we’ve shown this world – what technology can do, what older adults can do, and how they can thrive with just a little support,” said Dr. Mihailidis.
“Before AGE-WELL, AgeTech was the wild west – no one was working together to actually make things happen,” he said. “AGE-WELL brought people together. We developed ‘the AGE-WELL way’: a transdisciplinary way of working with older adults, caregivers and partners as equal members of the research team.”
He emphasized that the founding values remain central to the network today – collaboration, co-creation, inclusion and translation. “Together, we’ve built an ecosystem of AgeTech innovation.”
In addition to 30 research talks, the program included there a panel session on Responsible AgeTech, AI and Ethics: A Critical Conversation featuring early career researchers, clinicians, developers and industry leaders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, responsible tech development and aging. Another panel, Better Together: Powering Impact through Partnerships, highlighted successful, impactful collaborations, along with case studies.
Exciting pitch competition
Conference attendees watched three Canadian companies pitch their products in the 2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Implementing Change. One of Canada’s most exciting pitch competitions, the event showcases top AgeTech startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), driving entrepreneurship in Canada’s growing AgeTech sector.
Anika Chabra (left) and Jennifer Siripong Mandel of Root & Seed won the 2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Implementing Change.
Congratulations to Anika Chabra and Jennifer Siripong Mandel, Co-founders of Root & Seed, winner of the 2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Implementing Change. Root & Seed’s platform helps older adults, caregivers and families connect through meaningful conversation. The co-founders said the $20,000 prize will support a national rollout of Conversation Cards, digital tools and Kinkeeper Training – piloted and implemented with home care partner Just Like Family – to strengthen relationships and promote older adults’ health and well-being. Read more.
The 2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Implementing Change was generously supported by the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) and SE Health. Promotional partners were CanAge, CIHR Institute of Aging, and YouAreUNLTD.
AGE-WELL 2025 also included a product launch. PhysioBiometrics, an AGE-WELL startup affiliate, released Heel2Toe™, a wearable therapeutic device designed to assess and train older adults to walk with a proper gait, which is essential to reduce strain on joints and muscles, help prevent falls, and make walking easier to stay active and independent. Read more.
Remembering a cherished leader
A moving tribute honoured Dr. Josephine McMurray, a distinguished researcher and leader in the AGE-WELL network who passed away in July 2025. A gifted teacher and mentor, she is deeply missed. Her lasting impact is recognized through a new AGE-WELL Summer Institute award, The Josephine McMurray Award for Excellence in Co-creation. Read the In Memoriam here.
Three remarkable contributors to AGE-WELL and Canada’s AgeTech sector received 2025 AGE-WELL Honorary Fellow Awards, which recognize members who have made long-term and substantial contributions to research and innovation in the AgeTech sector: Mimi Lowi-Young. Dr. Andrew Sixsmith, and Michael Tamblyn. Read more.
Another highlight: the presentation of two AGE-WELL Emerging Entrepreneur Awards. Valued at $50,000 each, the awards support emerging entrepreneurs to create and grow an innovative startup with potential for significant social and economic impact in Canada.
From left: Maxime Bolduc, Co-founder and CEO, Azimut Medical; Vanessa Lo, Co-founder and CEO, VanTech Med; and Ivan Yuen, Co-founder, Yuen Family Foundation.
This year’s recipients exemplify that vision. Maxime Bolduc, Co-founder and CEO of Azimut Medical, has developed a smart, inflatable pair of trousers designed to prevent hip fractures in older adults. Air-Sequr uses embedded sensors and edge AI to detect falls within milliseconds and instantly deploy airbags around the hips to absorb impact.
Vanessa Lo, Co-founder and CEO of VanTech Med, has created SundaeDoll, an AI-enabled companion doll designed to combat social isolation and enhance older adults’ well-being through conversation, music and cognitive games, while discreetly monitoring mood to alert caregivers to early distress.
AGE-WELL is grateful to the Yuen Family Foundation for their generosity in supporting the Emerging Entrepreneur Award Program. Read more.
The conference got underway on Oct. 22 with the ever-popular AGE-WELL Reception and Showcase (“Drinks & Demos”), featuring dozens of AgeTech products, including smart-home systems, social robots, exergames and wearables.
Best demo award went to WhatMatters: A Person-Centred Application for Patients with Dementia in Hospitals, and runner-up went to BEST Lab: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact, for an interactive demo showcasing four pre-commercialized digital health products.
The award for best poster went to Yasser Karam (University of Toronto, UHN) for Infection Prediction in a Dementia Care Setting using Machine Learning on Real-Time Location Systems-Derived Resident Interaction Data. Runner up was Sina Shafiyan (University of Ottawa – Bruyère Health) for Saccadic Markers of Cognitive Decline: Preliminary Findings from a Multimodal Eye Movement and Speech Assessment.
Training future leaders in AgeTech
AGE-WELL 2025 included a dynamic day of programming for members of the EPIC-AT training program. EPIC-AT is a national training program that prepares graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers to be future leaders in digital health solutions for older adults with complex health needs.
AGE-WELL 2025 highlighted a multidisciplinary program of research and innovation.
There was also a policy stakeholder meeting on technology adoption and policy alignment, and a breakfast for older adults and caregivers hosted by the AGE-WELL Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of AGE-WELL 2025: GlobalDWS and Philippine Retirement Authority (Gold); Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (Silver); National Research Council of Canada and Best Buy Canada (Supporting) and CanAge, CIHR Institute of Aging, and YouAreUNLTD (Promotional Partners).
AGE-WELL’s groundbreaking programs are funded by the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Health Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.