Integrating Innovation and Investment: the Ambient Assisted Living Investment Forum 2010

The AAL Investment Forum aims to stimulate more innovation and investment in AAL by bringing together innovative ICT enterprises in the Ageing Well market with potential public and private investors. Currently, only a small number of initiatives exist for raising investment capital for AAL solutions. This is particularly problematic given that the senior generation now outnumbers the younger generation for the first time in history, and is projected to nearly double by 2060. There is an urgent need to find solutions to tackle demographic challenges and to strengthen seniors’ ability to maintain their current lifestyles.

“The demographic challenge will put an enormous burden on public finances. Efficient usable technology will be one solution.” explains Reinhard Goebl, AAL Investment Forum Chair. “That’s why AAL technologies will become increasingly important. They reduce the impact of this demographic shift and at the same time open up new market opportunities in the ‘silver economy’ for SMEs.”

Changes are already on the horizon as a growing number of European countries demand more market-oriented funding for innovation and research. The number of AAL projects is expected to grow rapidly due to the €1 billion of EC funding available. A critical mass of European stakeholders supporting new AAL solutions will be looking for financing to pursue these ventures.

See the website of the Ambient Assisted Living Investment Forum at: http://www.aal-invest.eu/(opens in new window)