Aging Innovation Challenge

This local competition is organized in response to the New York State Department of Health Aging Innovation Competition that invites college students and faculty to develop new breakthroughs in assisting aging residents and their caregivers in completing daily activities. The annual competition provides support for students and faculty with ideas to make life easier for older adults and their caregivers and includes opportunities to make connections, grow their network, and receive funding and support for their ideas.

The competition follows a start-up weekend format, with “idea champions” offering a quick pitch of their concept and “free agents” flocking to ideas to form teams that begin to develop prototypes. Three winners are chosen to receive cash prizes. 

The annual competition is open to any UB student or faculty member with ideas or interest in developing a prototype to assist aging residents and their caregivers in completing daily activities. Participants must register online for the contest, either as an “idea champion” with a concept to pitch, or as a “free agent” with expertise to contribute to a project. Faculty who wish to participate must be part of a team that includes at least one student. There is no cost to participate.