Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge: winners announced

Manulife, in collaboration with UpLink, the World Economic Forum's early-stage innovation initiative, and the Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems, has announced the winners of the Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge. All 10 winners have deployed technology in some way to address financial resilience, healthy ageing, and lifelong fulfillment across Asia's rapidly evolving demographic landscape.

The winners of the second in a three-part longevity-focused innovation series are:

- Agewhale (Hong Kong): Empowers elderly individuals and caregivers in Hong Kong to age safely at home through its Care Compass app, bridging digital and gerontech divides for improved home safety and care management

- AqlCare (Abu Dhabi): Transforms routine caregiver-patient video calls into structured, continuous cognitive screenings, enabling early detection of dementia and cognitive decline with high compliance and accessibility 

- DoctorTool (Jakarta): Digitising clinics with AI-powered software-as-a-service (SaaS), e-health apps, and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), improving access, efficiency, and quality for vulnerable communities 

- Happy60plus (Bengaluru): Tech-enabled wellness programmes for seniors, fostering engagement and independence through virtual classes and community-building activities 

- Infiheal (Pune): Hyperpersonalised, AI-powered health support, making therapy accessible, affordable, and stigma-free for underserved populations 

- Kinexcs (Singapore): AI-driven wearable rehabilitation platforms, enabling home-based, personalised recovery for patients after joint surgeries

- PINTAR's (Singapore): Berkala programme supports Asia's returnee migrant workers with lifelong learning, reintegration, and social connection, leveraging digital and offline tools to foster economic and emotional resilience

- Sav (Dubai): AI-powered autonomous finance platform that helps optimise savings, investments, and debt management

- Xandar Kardian (Toronto): Enables proactive, preventive healthcare for seniors ageing in place using passive radar sensors for continuous, compliance-free health monitoring, reducing hospitalisations and improving peace of mind

- YoungHappy (Bangkok): A hybrid community platform in Thailand empowering urban seniors to age with dignity, fun, and self-reliance through digital and offline engagement, learning, and work opportunities

"Manulife is proud to lead this initiative in partnership with UpLink, supporting innovative winners who are driving meaningful change across Asia to address the region's demographic transformation," said Sarah Chapman, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Manulife. 

"These startups are helping people live better for longer, including addressing financial security, physical wellbeing, and personal fulfillment and we're proud to support their missions."

Winners will gain access to exclusive networking opportunities, strategic partnerships, and global visibility through the UpLink ecosystem. The top three innovators will also receive a combined CAD$200,000 in prize funding to accelerate their impact.

The third and final challenge in this series will launch in 2026 with a new thematic focus.