AGE-WELL Boost program
The Boost program outlines stage-based supports for AGE-WELL Startup Affiliates, offering key opportunities and resources to take startups to the next level. Startups can begin at any of the three stages, but will work to achieve certain goals to access resources at subsequent stages (determined by AGE-WELL BD team and entrepreneurship advisors).
*Access to resources and supports at earlier stages does not end upon reaching a later stage, rather the list expands with additional supports.
Stage 1 – Early Stage
Startup Goals: achieve revenue (e.g., first customer or paid pilot) or obtain funding via grant or small investment, IP protection/strategy in place
Resources & Supports
- AGE-WELL network management office mentorship
- Access to sector-specific mentors and advisors (e.g., retirement living, healthcare, older adult market)
- Older adult and caregiver insights panel
- Connections to potential pilot sites
- Startup-friendly legal support (corporate and IP) through AGE-WELL partners
- Access to design review and mentorship for physical prototype and product development
- Connections to AGE-WELL Innovation Hubs and researchers for R&D
- Access to discounted exhibiting opportunities (e.g. AGE-WELL annual conference and partner organizations)
- AGE-WELL Opportunity Fund
Planned supports: access to mature/successful AgeTech startups and entrepreneurs for advice and mentorship
Stage 2 – Revenue Growth
Startup Goals: Reviewed pitch deck, reproducible sales process with positive sales trajectory or seed investment or significant revenue, entering national or foreign market
Resources & Supports
- Access to consumer insights, sales and marketing mentorship
- Access to mentors (including investors) and potential advisory board members
- Investor pitch feedback and mentorship (e.g., from AGE-WELL Chief Entrepreneur, AgeTech investor or other AGE-WELL investor contacts)
- Startup-friendly investment readiness package from Fasken
- “Startup with IBM Credits” and “High Impact Startup with IBM” account access (upon review)
- Trade mission support opportunities
- Support for strategic incubator/accelerator participation through Opportunity Fund
- Support and connections to potential funding sources in AGE-WELL network
- Retail readiness evaluation through leader in tech retail (upon review by AGE-WELL BD team and partner)
- Access to discounted exhibiting opportunities (e.g. AGE-WELL annual conference and partner organizations)
- AGE-WELL communications and media promotion, including potential content creation, for startup success stories (upon review by Communications Manager)
- AGE-WELL Chief Entrepreneur mentorships sessions
Planned Supports: Startup-friendly bookkeeping and financial services
Stage 3 – Scaling and expansion
Startup Goals: Series A investment, achieving break-even, presence in multiple markets
Resources & Supports
- Promotion/connections to investors
- Investor pitch feedback and mentorship (e.g., from AGE-WELL Chief Entrepreneur, AgeTech investor or other AGE-WELL investor contacts)
- Exploring potential matching IP in network to build up portfolio/collaborations
- Assistance with international market expansion through AGE-WELL international partners in AgeTech and healthcare
- Internship co-funding opportunities
- Retail readiness evaluation through leader in tech retail and potential public demo opportunities at retail locations
- High Impact Startup with IBM Account access (upon review)
- Connection to potential B2B sales channels
- Homecare pilot programs for startups with capacity for large scale implementation (upon review by AGE-WELL home healthcare partners)
Planned supports:
- National market research support
- Discounted user feedback/focus group workshops with older adults for new products
Existing AGE-WELL Startup Affiliates can view a list of advisors and mentors here.