The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, is awarding $3.2 million in funding to 25 Canadian companies and researchers using AI and other critical technologies to solve urgent aging and brain health challenges—including dementia prevention. The funding is provided through CABHI’s Ignite program, which supports healthcare and research organizations, as well as early- to mid-stage start-ups, in overcoming common challenges that stall innovation. This program helps translate promising ideas into real-world solutions, creating Canadian jobs and improving the lives of the rapidly growing number of older persons and caregivers.
Investment in a Super-Aged Population
Investing in aging and brain health innovation is crucial to supporting Canada’s “super-aged” population—as of this year, nearly 20% of Canadians are aged 65 and older. Rising rates of dementia are projected to cost the Canadian economy $110 billion annually by 2050 (Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis), and researchers are warning that healthcare systems won’t be able to keep up with the growing need for increasingly complex care. In this new reality, agetech (AI and other critical technologies that support healthy aging and brain health) represents one of the fastest-growing investment opportunities on the global stage, valued at an estimated $2 trillion (AARP). Programs like Ignite are helping position Canada as an international leader in AI innovation, attracting investments and talent at a time when trade uncertainty is necessitating new approaches to protecting the economy.
Government and Leadership Support
“Canada is a global leader in research and AI innovation that solves really complex challenges affecting older persons and caregivers,” says Dr. Allison Sekuler, President and Chief Scientist at CABHI and the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education. “CABHI is proud to be helping create jobs, talent, and investments in homegrown solutions that have profound real-world impact on people’s lives—especially those affected by cognitive decline and dementia—at a time when it’s never been more paramount to our country’s resilience and economic sustainability.”
“Innovative solutions are critical to addressing the complex challenges facing older Canadians and those who care for them,” says The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “The Government of Canada, through the Strategic Science Fund, is proud to invest in CABHI’s Ignite program, which empowers researchers and companies to develop and test cutting-edge technologies that improve brain health and quality of life, while strengthening our position as a global leader in science and innovation.”
Co-Design and Acceleration Services
As part of the Ignite program, CABHI provides funding recipients with tailored acceleration services, enhancing the innovation process and removing roadblocks that often stall progress. Innovators are paired with end users (older persons and caregivers) to collect and implement their feedback, ensuring solutions meet their diverse needs. This co-design process is core to the successful development and commercialization of aging and brain health innovation: a recent AgeTech Insights report published by CABHI showed that 1 in 2 older Canadians want to actively participate in co-design of innovation, and that nearly 100% of respondents use technology in their daily lives. Of those, 1 in 5 are actively using digital tools to manage their health. These market intelligence reports show a growing gap between supply and demand for aging and brain health solutions that leverage new critical technologies.
