Startup Weekend Competition 2020 – Innovation for Smart Ageing

According to the Census and Statistic Department, in 2036, the proportion of people aged 65 or above will be one-third of the population in Hong Kong. In response to the rise of the ageing population and the needs of elderly care, the “LU Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing Project” organized the Techstars Startup Weekend with the theme of “Innovation for Smart Ageing” from 12 to 14 June 2020. It aimed to gather entrepreneurs who are interested in the silver market to discuss the opportunities of smart ageing and development of innovative technologies, with the target to offer solutions for ageing in place, and reduce the stress of caregivers and elderly services sector.

 

Startup Weekend was held online in the form of group competition. It attracted 52 contestants from different industries and academic backgrounds, and they formed into eight teams to plan a “smart ageing” proposal in 54 hours. Although individuals might have various perspectives on the issues of the elderly, they shared the same goal: to ensure the elderly to have better living and fruitful ageing. It is a challenging task to conceive a brand new plan to solve a social problem within 54 hours, and thus the organizing team invited eight coaches and six gerontechnology ambassadors to meet with participants online to share their professional knowledge, business operation experiences and the needs of elderly.

 

Team KOelderly received the “Best Validation Award”, “Business Model Award” and “Design and Execution Award”. They plan to recruit the elderly to become Key Opinion Leaders (KOL), and work with the startup companies for video production. They will also organize interest classes to encourage service targets to try new things and unleash their potential, as well as to break the border of being aged.

 

Team Neighbourhood Platform also obtained the “Business Model Award”, which focus on matching the retirees with aged people who need to receive services including accompanying services, arrange follow-up medical visits, register and queue up for medicines people through an online platform. On the one hand, it meets the employment needs of retired people, and on the other hand, it takes care of the elderly in need.

 

Startup Weekend Competition 2020