A unique experience and insight for Ageing Innovation Accelerator businesses

A US-based world authority, MIT professor, best-selling author and go-to person on business and ageing will be amongst the expert voices set to take part in our third Ageing Innovation Accelerator workshop on Wednesday 06 February, at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Professor Joseph Coughlin, founding director of MIT AgeLab, will meet with the current cohort of entrepreneurs on the programme and describe to businesses the opportunities arising within the Longevity Economy. He will also provoke, encourage and stimulate creative thinking, new ideas and innovation around products and services for older people.

Coughlin will also be joined by Stephen Johnston, co-founder of Aging2.0 – a network of over 40,000 entrepreneurs in over 65 cities around the world, focusing on eight global ageing challenges and, like the Accelerator, on accessing advice, support and funding to bring ideas to market.

Valuable practical insights and innovation-in-action case studies will also be presented by Home Group and ENGIE. All in all, this workshop, the third in the current series, will provide a unique and thorough in-the-round experience for Ageing Innovation Accelerator entrepreneurs, providing in-depth support to turn their ideas into reality.

AGENDA

09:00 - Registration & Networking.
09:30 - Welcome.
09:40 - Professor Joseph Coughlin, Director of AgeLab at MIT.
10:00 - Stephen Johnston, Co-Founder of the global Aging2.0 movement.
10:20 - Q&A with NICA, Prof. Coughlin and Stephen Johnston.
10:40 - Networking break.
11:10 - Home Group Case Study: Katie Gilmartin, Strategy & Innovation Manager.
11:25 - ENGIE Case Study: Moya Jones and Andy Witchell.
11:40 - Q&A with Home Group and ENGIE.
12:00 - Presentation of Ideas from Workshop 2.
12:30 - Networking lunch.
13:15 - Breakout Sessions:

• Business Proposition Development.
• Idea Generation.

16:30 - Summary & Close.

The Innovation SuperNetwork, National Innovation Centre for Ageing, Northstar Ventures and Newcastle City Council (working with Aging2.0), are running a programme to identify new solutions for an ageing society and get them to market. The programme involves a number of idea generation workshops, in-depth support with selected ideas and funding for commercialisation.

It is widely recognised that new product and service ideas are needed in connection with our ageing population. An ageing society presents both challenges (in health and care, for example) but also enormous opportunities as people live longer and continue to be active members of society. However, there is not currently enough work going on to form and grow businesses targeting these opportunities. The Ageing Innovation Accelerator provides insight, expert input and funding to support such businesses.

Over the next few months, we'll be providing support with solution development, including the opportunity to secure up to £12,500 investment from Northstar Ventures for each business involved with the potential for further follow on funding for the best performing companies. We are also able to offer free office space (courtesy of Newcastle City Council) to provide a space to work as ideas are developed into full products and services. At the end of nine months, we'd like to have at least eight new products on the market, serving the needs of an ageing population.

For more information regarding the NICA programme sign up for updates using the NICA portal
https://nica-collaboration.crowdicity.com/