AGE-WELL is pleased to announce four finalists for the 2026 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Solutions That Change Lives, an annual pitch competition spotlighting Canada’s leading AgeTech innovators and their technology-based solutions that support healthy aging.
Taking place November 4, 2026, at the AGE-WELL 11th Annual Conference in Ottawa, the national event is one of Canada’s most dynamic competitions for AgeTech innovators with solutions that are making a meaningful difference in the lives of older Canadians and/or caregivers. This year, impact is front and centre.
Finalists will pitch live before a panel of expert judges for the chance to win a grant award of at least $20,000, along with various in-kind prizes, access to the AGE-WELL Innovation Studio and resources to help drive real-world implementation.
Meet the four finalists announced today. A fifth finalist will be chosen by attendees at the AGE-WELL Conference:
Idem: Idem is an ecosystem of cognitive aids, including a Smart Clock, Connected Pill Dispenser, and upcoming Guide Light and Smart Sensors, designed for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. By supporting daily routines, medication reminders, and family connection through non-stigmatizing devices, Idem reduces home care visits and caregiver burden, helping older adults stay independent, oriented, and engaged at home longer.
MORO: Older adults are supported by constantly rotating staff who arrive knowing a care plan and nothing about the person, and everything a caregiver learns leaves when they do. MORO holds that understanding in one living record families and professionals build together and carry with the person, so no one starts from zero and everyone stays aligned.
Pontosense: Pontosense helps older adults live safely and independently at home by turning privacy-first radar sensing into accurate, meaningful wellness and safety insights. Without cameras, microphones, or wearables, our technology gives families and care teams earlier visibility into changes in movement, sleep, activity, breathing, and potential safety events.
Tuktu: Tuktu is a platform that connects older Canadians with vetted neighbours in their communities for everyday non-medical help: companionship, rides, errands, housekeeping, tech help, and post-hospital support. We match people to the right local providers based on language, culture, and personality, at rates 20 to 30 percent below traditional agencies, with no contracts or minimum hours.
To attend the AGE-WELL Annual Conference, including the National Impact Challenge, register here.
AGE-WELL thanks all the startups, early-stage companies, social enterprises and community organizations who submitted applications to the AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge, and congratulates the four finalists announced today. We received a record number of applications this year.
AGE-WELL is grateful to Desjardins Group and the Ontario Brain Institute, silver sponsors of the 2026 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Solutions That Change Lives. We also thank our promotional partners: CanAge, the CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA), and YouAreUNLTD.
For over a decade, AGE-WELL has served as a catalyst for technological innovation, empowering older adults to live healthy, independent, and engaged lives while driving Canada’s AgeTech sector.
Stay up to date on the AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge by visiting the competition page, and following AGE-WELL’s social media channels:
Join the conversation: #AWImpact
For more information or for media inquiries, please contact communications@agewell-nce.ca.