Applications now open for ISAX Smart Ageing Innovation Awards 2017 in association with Bank of Ireland

Rewarding innovative businesses that address the challenges and opportunities of longevity

ISAX (Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange) has launched the first Smart Ageing Innovation Awards in association with Bank of Ireland. The 2017 Smart Ageing Innovation Awards will recognise and celebrate companies with innovative products, technologies or services across multiple sectors all of which have been developed specifically for consumers age 50+.

The global Smart Ageing economy is an emerging and growing sector with huge potential for Irish businesses across a wide range of industries including health and wellbeing, leisure and tourism, housing and mobility, consumer goods and services, education as well as employment and finance. The awards will recognise those already excelling in this sector and encourage others to look at how they could get involved. Life expectancy is increasing by 5 hours per day and 2.5 years per decade. Radical and innovative solutions are going to be required to address the big challenges as people live longer and need to work into their 70s and stay active and healthy.

Applications are now open and will close on the 20th of September. The award ceremony will take place in November in Dublin. Businesses are encouraged to submit entries online at http://isax.ie/smartageingawards-application/. There are 6 overall categories for submissions from which there will be one overall winner. Categories include: Health, FinTech, Food & Drinks, Homes & Housing, Tourism & Leisure and Ingenuity.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, successful entrepreneur and businessman Bobby Kerr said: “I’m delighted to support the ISAX Smart Ageing Innovation Awards in association with Bank of Ireland. There are so many business opportunities to target people age 50+ and many fantastic business start-ups in the Smart Ageing space and it is great to see an awards platform specifically designed to reward those in the smart ageing economy to ensure their commitment and quality businesses are recognised.”

Dave Tighe, Head of Innovation, Bank of Ireland said: “At Bank of Ireland we are committed to supporting Irish businesses and are delighted to support ISAX with the launch of the first Smart Ageing Innovation Awards. We have a strong relationship working with ISAX and have previously supported the organisation on the creation and implementation of the recent Ingenuity Accelerator programmes. As the Smart Ageing Economy continues to increase we look forward to working with them in the future and to continue to drive business innovation among this growing demographic.”

Anne Connolly, CEO, ISAX added: “The innovations required to address the big challenges around increased life expectancy, income security, people working into their 70s, chronic disease prevention, adapting cities to older populations, requires really innovative solutions and these awards are designed to surface the breakthrough solutions needed and to showcase what Ireland is doing in this space and encourage others. We are encouraging all businesses in the smart ageing economy who meet the relevant criteria to enter the Smart Ageing Innovation Awards.

“We are continually looking at new ways to support the 50+ start-up community through our Ingenuity programme and other initiatives at ISAX. We are delighted to have Bank of Ireland on board for our first Smart Ageing Innovation Awards and are grateful for their continued support on a number of recent initiatives. We are looking forward to welcoming entries from a broad range of businesses and to showcase the fantastic talent in this sector”.

The Smart Ageing Awards are open to submissions from start-ups and small businesses with 30 employees or less who have designed and developed products and services that enhance the lives of any age group 50+.

Entries online at: http://isax.ie/smartageingawards-application/.