2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge
Implementing Change
Impact through Implementation | Join the conversation: #AWImpact
Anika Chabra (left) and Jennifer Siripong Mandel of Root & Seed won the competition.
One of Canada’s most inspiring pitch competitions, the AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge returned in October 2025, featuring three finalists pitching their innovative AgeTech solutions.
The competition spotlights top startups and SMEs—and fuels entrepreneurship in Canada’s AgeTech sector. Over the years, hundreds of companies have taken part, receiving more than $300,000 in cash support from sponsors.
Judges, hosts and presenters at the 2025 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Implementing Change. Presenters included Dr. Lora Appel and Dr. Christopher Smith of CaregiVR (lower left), Anika Chabra and Jennifer Siripong Mandel of Root & Seed (lower right), and Jeffrey Yu of WeCare Dynamics (upper row, three from right).
Pitching before an audience of over 450 people, the finalists were challenged to explain how their solutions can positively impact older Canadians and caregivers.
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 $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 reach more caregivers and older adults in a range of settings, including home care, retirement residences, long-term care homes, and hospices.
Judges in action!
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.
The competition was held on October 23 at the AGE-WELL 10th Annual Conference in Montreal, Quebec.
Sponsors
Promotional Partners
Please visit 2024 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge for information about last year’s competition.