MINUT
EchoCare
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Read moreCentrica Active Ageing Challenge
Centrica plc is an international energy and services company. Its principal activity is the supply of electricity and gas to consumers in the United Kingdom and Ireland
L Marks partnered with Centrica to help meet the needs of an ageing society. The idea for the challenge emerged when Centrica started researching technology use among the ageing population and found that many over 60s are aware of smart technology, think it can improve their lives, but feel they’re being overlooked by manufacturers of these products.
To counteract this, L Marks used their global scouting network to identify startups from around the world to pitch to share a £100,000 prize fund to help fund businesses and smart technologies designed to empower the elderly.
After receiving 125 applications from more than 20 countries the best 10 startups pitched their innovations to an audience of industry experts and thought leaders. The judging panel chose three teams to win a share of the prize fund:
- MINUT, Sweden-based creators of a complete home alarm in a single device, received the largest share of £50,000
- EchoCare, founded in Israel, was awarded £25,000 to help develop its non-wearable, self-learning personal emergency response system
- American startup Pillo Health, an intelligent care assistant for the home, received a £25,000 prize.
“This prize money will have a positive impact on our business, but the most important part for us is the potential for partnership with Centrica. As a start-up it can be hard to reach customers, especially in the elderly care segment, but Centrica is allowing us to make that final step.
Together we can leverage our respective strengths and develop a service that improves the quality of life for the elderly and their families.”
Nils Mattison
CEO Minut Health
Minut monitors noise, occupancy, cigarette smoke, and temperature to ensure rental properties remain safe while maintaining privacy for guests and keeping communities satisfied.
After participating in the Centrica Active Ageing Challenge, Minut has been exploring a larger trial with families caring for elderly relatives. The company is also expanding its existing features, building an additional layer to its device to enhance its responsive home security solutions.
EchoCare develops a non-wearable & non-privacy invasive Elderly Care Home Observer (ECHO) system, that detects various emergencies such as falls, drowning, and respiratory distress, as well as early signs of health decline like fall risk or mild cognitive impairment by monitoring daily living activities (ADLs).
Following their £25,000 award from the Centrica Active Ageing Challenge, EchoCare secured an additional $300,000 in December 2018 from Centrica Innovations to further enhance their emergency response system.
Pillo Health enables organisations to deliver high-quality care directly into homes through its interactive, HIPAA-compliant technology platform. The platform is designed to engage users and enhance health management, making it easier for healthcare providers and caregivers to offer personalised support and monitor patient well-being remotely.
In 2020, Pillo Health was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker, a Fortune 500 company known for manufacturing industrial tools, household hardware, and providing security solutions.