INTEGRATING INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT

Ambient Assisted Living Investment Forum 2010

Odense, Denmark

14 - 15 September, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 10 June 2010:

This year, for the first time ever, the Ambient Assisted Living Forum (AAL Forum) 2010 will be preceded by an Investment Forum. Ambient Assisted Living products and services are ICT-based solutions, such as in-home monitoring devices or telemedicine systems, which help seniors remain independent, active and socially connected for a longer time. The AAL Investment Forum (IF) will be held at the Odense Congress Centre in Denmark on 14-15 September 2010. It 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[i]. 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.

“This is the first time we’re bringing together the relevant stakeholders required to step up investments in the growing AAL market, so it will undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity to accelerate the path from R&D to commercially viable products. It’s about creating awareness, gathering market intelligence and enhancing the possibilities for SMEs to access risk capital,” says Mr. Goebl.

This interactive event for private and public investors, entrepreneurs, market experts and customers will include keynotes and panel discussions. A key activity will be a matchmaking session where innovators can pitch their smart solutions for an improved quality of life in later years to potential investors. Innovation World, part of the AAL Forum, will showcase the latest technological innovations which are sure to appeal to, and inspire, entrepreneurs.

An event launching the Investment Forum took place yesterday in Brussels. Hosted by the European Commission, it underlined the importance of this initiative in bringing innovators and investors under one roof in line with this year’s theme: “Active Ageing: Smart Solutions, New Markets”. A website dedicated exclusively to the IF went live yesterday at: www.aal-invest.eu.

For more information on the AAL JP Investment Forum, or to register, please contact:

jonathan@newventures.be.

For press information, please contact christina@gmail.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact michael@newventures.be.

The AAL Forum was held for the first time in Vienna in 2009. The AAL Joint Programme, the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Region of Southern Denmark and the City of Odense, jointly organizes the AAL Forum 2010. The final programme will be finished in May, and will present the most comprehensive showcase of the vibrant field of AAL in Europe. The AAL Forum 2010 launches at the same time a new powerful digital web 2.0 platform with the aim to strengthen ideas and knowledge sharing between stakeholders. For questions about the AAL Forum 2010 Programme and AAL Forum digital Community please contact: Chairman of the AAL Forum Committee, Claus F. Nielsen, International Manager, DELTA Business Development, cfn@delta.dk, +45 6116 0974

About the AAL Investment Forum

To support the large number of innovative solutions and technologies in the field of AAL, an AAL Investment Forum is set up for the first time. The AAL Investment Forum is planned to take place in conjunction with the AAL Forums’ on the 14-15th of September. For more information, please contact: Reinhard Goebl, AALA, rgoebl@gmail.com, +43 6766 8307 62

About the AAL Joint Programme (www.aal-europe.eu)

AAL Joint Programme is the world’s largest initiative dealing with ageing population, implemented by 20 European Member States and 3 Associated States. The programme receives a substantial financial support - based on article 169 of the EC treaty - from the European Commission. The objective of the AAL Joint Programme is to enhance the quality of life of older people and strengthen the industrial base in Europe through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The motivation of the new funding activity is in the demographic change and ageing in Europe, which implies not only challenges but also opportunities for the citizens, the social and healthcare systems as well as industry and the European market.

The concept of Ambient Assisted Living is understood as

• to extend the time people can live in their preferred environment by increasing their autonomy, self-confidence and mobility,
• to support maintaining health and functional capability of the elderly individuals,
• to promote a better and healthier lifestyle for individuals at risk,
• to enhance the security, to prevent social isolation and to support maintaining the multifunctional network around the individual,
• to support carers, families and care organisations,
• to increase the efficiency and productivity of used resources in the ageing societies

For more information about the AAL Joint Programme, please contact: Silas Olsson, Acting Head of Unit, AALA, silas.olsson@aal-europe.eu +32 (0)2 219 92 25