Age Innovation Prize 2024

A seating aid for public transport, a platform for re-entering the labour market after retirement and digital games to prevent cognitive impairment are the winners of this year's Age Innovation Prize. The three winning projects were found to be the most effective in sustainably improving the lives of older people. The prize was launched by the Institute for Ageing Research IAF at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with Switzerland Innovation Park Ost and the auditing and consulting firm EY.

Winners of the Age Innovation Prize

«FlexAssist» | ETH Zurich & Zurich University of the Arts

Age Innovation Prize 2024

Many older people find it difficult to sit and stand up safely. This is a particularly big problem on public transport, where it can lead to falls and injuries. The ‘FlexAssist’ project, developed by students at ETH Zurich and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), aims to address this challenge with an innovative seat, for which it has received the Age Innovation Prize.

«Silver Bridge» | HR ConScience GmbH

Age Innovation Prize 2024

Demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers are major challenges for Switzerland. Nevertheless, the potential of older people for the labour market is often underestimated. To raise awareness of this, the company HR ConScience developed the ‘Silver Bridge’ platform and is being awarded the Age Innovation Prize for it.

«SIGMA-beSerious» | SUPSI

Age Innovation Prize 2024

Early signs of cognitive impairment that could indicate dementia often go unnoticed in older people. This means that intervention and treatment can only be initiated at a late stage. The SUPSI's ‘SIGMA-beSerious’ project addresses this problem with a series of digital games. ‘SIGMA-beSerious’ has been awarded the Age Innovation Prize for this novel approach to patient monitoring through gamification.

Vouchers for every winning project

Switzerland Innovation Park Ost supports the winners in implementing their innovation. They can choose between a consulting package, a contribution to project work or a workshop worth CHF 3,000 or two working days.
EY Switzerland sponsors a strategy voucher that can be redeemed in the form of coaching or a workshop at EY Switzerland. It is worth CHF 5,000.
The winners will receive a cooperation voucher from the IAF Institute for Ageing Research. This can be redeemed in the form of a (co-creation) workshop with the target age group and the stakeholder group or in the form of a joint application and is worth CHF 7,500.
In addition, each project will receive a professionally produced video along with presentation and networking opportunities.

Shortlisted projects

We congratulate the following three projects, which were also invited by the jury to the pitch after the selection process, in addition to the three winning teams.

ageJOY – Joy in everyday life

ageJOY brings joy into the lives of older and disabled people, promoting a healthy and happy life through easy access to needs-based, individual care. ageJOY offers a wide range of individual (e.g. activities and companionship) and group (e.g. performances, courses, presentations) services to make older people's lives more enjoyable. And at a fair price.

Eric Dumelin & Florian Borzner

Alfred – Voice-controlled AI companion

Alfred is a voice-controlled companion tailored to the needs of older people. This innovative tool not only helps with memory training and structuring the day, but also answers everyday questions – all through simple voice commands. Particularly suitable for people with limited vision, Alfred largely dispenses with visual controls and is characterised by a high level of user-friendliness and universal accessibility.

Dennis Eitner & Sandro Pezzutto | Altertainment AG

Quartierplus

Quartierplus is a digital platform for people in their post-professional years that combines digital and conventional services. It was tested in the Biel/Bienne region in November 2022 and is now available throughout Switzerland. The platform aims to fill a gap and offer people in old age with a network reliable access to knowledge, services, events and discussion forums.