TORONTO, Mar. 27, 2025 – Today, March 27, 2025, during Canada’s Brain Health Awareness Month, the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, is awarding $2.6 million CAD in funding to 23 aging and brain health innovators through Ignite.
Ignite is a new CABHI program offering funding and acceleration services for early-stage Canadian innovators with aging and brain health solutions.
“CABHI’s Ignite program has attracted a new wave of innovators—researchers, clinicians, healthcare and seniors’ organizations, entrepreneurs, and companies—who are creating bold new solutions that solve pressing issues older persons face regularly,” says Dr. Allison Sekuler, President and Chief Scientist at CABHI and the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education. “The Ignite program offers much-needed support to early-stage innovators, allowing them to reach milestones they otherwise would not be able to and achieve meaningful real-world impact.”
The first cohort of the Ignite program is supporting 23 promising early-stage innovators, spanning CABHI’s six Innovation Themes:
- Aging at Home
- Caregiver Support
- Care Coordination and Navigation
- Cognitive and Mental Health
- Financial Health and Wellness
- Women’s Brain Health + FemTech
All 23 awardees are seeking CABHI’s unique guidance and expertise in the aging and brain health sector delivered through a range of tailored services, including mentorship, scientific coaching, end-user validation services (Leap), and access to CABHI’s extensive network of academic, healthcare, and industry partners.
Ignite awardees:
- Epiloid Biotechnology for Parkinson’s Disease Organoid Platform for Drug Development: A platform that uses lab-grown 3D brain tissue models to improve preclinical drug testing for neurological diseases. Epiloid Biotechnology can offer an ethical and precise approach to understanding and treating cognitive and mental health issues, offering new hope for those affected by Parkinson’s and related brain health conditions, including dementia.
- Incluzia Inc. for IncluzIT PRO (a revolutionary health and home assessment platform designed for occupational therapists) and IncluzIT HOME (A FREE aging and home safety planning tool designed for public use): These innovations focus on the realization of Incluzia’s vision, for all housing to be accessible housing and all people to have equitable access to the health and care supports they need.
- Carleton University for A Minimally Invasive Bio-analyzer Platform for Rapid Quantification of Multiple Proteomic Biomarkers of AD Dementia Enabling Early Detection: A bio-analyzer platform enables rapid and accurate detection of key protein biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) using blood and saliva samples. The platform enables early and accessible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through non-invasive detection of key biomarkers, facilitating timely intervention and reducing the societal and healthcare burden of the disease.
- Expertiqa Technologies for Hummingbird: An access switch that captures vocal cord vibrations when an individual hums, converting them into digital signals that allow interaction with devices like computers, smartphones, AAC devices, and environmental control units. It facilitates communication for individuals who may struggle with traditional methods due to cognitive decline or physical impairments, offering a simple, low-effort way to express needs and maintain independence.
- Baycrest Hospital for Developing a Fit-For-Purpose, Patient-Focused, Clinical Outcome Assessment (COA) Measure to demonstrate impact of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) administration for care-interfering paratonia in dementia, a Paratonia Burden Scale (PBS): An FDA-compliant clinical outcome measure designed to enable the adoption and commercialization of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) for treating care-interfering paratonia in advanced dementia. It addresses paratonia, a condition of increased muscle tone common in moderate to severe dementia, by developing a clinical outcome measure to enable effective treatment with Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A), reducing caregiver burden and improving patient care.
- Re:Pair Genomics Inc. for Designing cross-species-reactive compact promoters for targeting specific cell types in the CNS: A catalog of AI-generated compact and cross-species-reactive DNA promoters for gene therapy, enabling targeted and efficient transgene expression in specific types of brain cells while overcoming size and scalability challenges in viral vectors. This project enables targeted gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders by creating compact promoters to efficiently address dysfunctional proteins in affected brain cells.
- caregiVR Inc. for caregiVR: A personalized, clinically validated virtual reality (VR) platform designed specifically for seniors. It helps address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as aggression and agitation, while reducing social isolation and loneliness in seniors.
- ElderPRIME Solutions Inc. for PrimeHealth: A digital health co-management platform that streamlines healthcare for aging adults and family caregivers by preparing for appointments, aiding in communication with doctors, retaining medical information, and securely sharing it. It helps older adults and their caregivers coordinate care, manage information, and communicate with healthcare providers, addressing the complex needs of individuals with cognitive decline.
- TruMotion Technologies Ltd. for The Range of Motion Device: An automated rehabilitation device that performs clinically proven movements known to enhance circulation and reduce the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), enabling safe and independent therapy for individuals with limited to no mobility, including older adults and those with cognitive impairment or dementia, who face increased risks due to prolonged inactivity.
- Kelello Health: A cutting-edge mental health platform that transforms care through continuous, data-driven insight. By leveraging clinically validated assessments and predictive analytics, Kelello dynamically monitors changes in cognitive and emotional well-being—enabling timely, personalized interventions. The result: more informed decisions, higher-quality care, and better outcomes for individuals across the mental health spectrum.
- Elderado: A platform that simplifies the process of comparing long-term care and retirement homes so that users can find the best elder care for their circumstances. It helps older adults with dementia and their families find long-term care and retirement homes that meet their specific language and cultural needs, improving their quality of life and care experience.
- Systèmes Skywalk Inc. for Skywalk Home: A mobile guardrail and support program that prevents falls, improves mobility, and promotes independence for older adults navigating stairs. Designed to improve balance —both of body and mind—the solution includes guided physical exercises, as well as structured routines, sensory elements, and automated features focusing on cognitive health.
- VascuBio’s At-Home Blood Collection and Proteomic Analysis for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease: VascuBio Innovation offers a painless, at-home blood collection and advanced proteomic analysis solution designed to enable early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. By combining accessible, cost-effective screening with AI-driven insights, our platform empowers timely intervention, leading to improved patient outcomes and a better quality of life. Through cutting-edge proteomics, we strive to transform Alzheimer’s prevention and care—one simple blood test at a time.
- ConSoul Caregiver Support Inc for ConSoul: An innovative platform designed to alleviate caregiver burnout by automating essential but time-consuming tasks, allowing caregivers to focus on their well-being. It reduces caregiver stress by automating tasks and streamlining care circle management, addressing the heightened challenges of supporting individuals with progressive cognitive decline.
- Estate Kit Inc.: Estate Kit helps people create a clear, complete plan for what happens if they’re no longer able to speak for themselves—whether due to death, illness, or cognitive decline. It goes beyond legal documents, guiding users to organize critical information, instructions, and access for their loved ones, so nothing gets lost or left to chance. For those in the early stages of dementia—or with a family history—Estate Kit documents their wishes with clarity and confidence so they maintain control of their future and their legacy.
- Neuraura Biotech Inc. for LoOoP: A wearable device and digital platform that uses low-frequency electrical stimulation to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms at home, improving metabolism, menstrual regularity, and long-term health outcomes. It addresses PCOS, a condition that doubles the risk of dementia in women, by improving metabolic and hormonal health, potentially mitigating long-term cognitive risks.
- Amical AI: An AI companion designed for elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s. It’s a classic phone with a handset, installed in bedrooms or common areas of memory care facilities. It encourages meaningful, interactive conversations that stimulate cognitive engagement and reduce isolation for individuals with Alzheimer’s, promoting mental well-being in a familiar and easy-to-use format.
- Factually Inc. for Ask Factually – A Dementia Caregiver’s Assistant: 24/7, effortless access to factual knowledge about dementia, how to care for those with it, and supportive insights to caregivers about managing this role and maintaining their own health and well-being.
- Queen’s University for SimplyView: An objective, sensitive, and easy-to-use tool to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders using video-based eye-tracking and machine-learning technologies. It detects cognitive decline, aiding in the early diagnosis of neurological disorders.
- Baycrest Academy for Research and Education’s ‘AI-powered PLWD Chatbot’: An AI-powered PLWD Chatbot designed to help caregivers practice de-escalation strategies for managing responsive behaviours (RB) in persons living with dementia (PLWD), addressing the unique challenges faced by caregivers.
- blueBell Village Ltd.: blueBell Connect is our patent-pending tool that provides caregivers recommendations (activities, support techniques and de-escalation techniques) that are clinically valid, personally specific and culturally appropriate, enabling individuals with dementia to remain at home while reducing caregiver burnout.
- McMaster University’s ‘YourCare+’: A not-for-profit, social prescribing platform that provides practical information and state-of-the-art tools that address immediate needs to help people self-manage care in the home. It helps caregivers coordinate care for individuals with cognitive impairments
- Royal Roads University’s ‘Pathways to Cognitive Wellness’: A 12-week online course that promotes brain health and sustainable lifestyle changes essential for reducing dementia by addressing Indigenous protective factors, Lifestyle Medicine, and includes a component with and without psilocybin use. It supports cognitive resilience and well-being.
“Ontario is home to some of the brightest, most innovative minds whose discoveries drive our health care research sector,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government is proud to support the Centre for Aging and Brain Health and their Ignite Program, which will ensure our cutting-edge innovators have the tools they need to make a tangible difference in the lives of older persons, people living with dementia, and their caregivers throughout Ontario.”
The Ignite awardees will begin concept and prototype development, testing and simulation activities, and validation trials as early as today, and continue working within the Ignite program through to 2026.
While the Ignite program catalyzes early-stage solutions, CABHI has officially launched a call for applications for CABHI’s Fuel program: A program offering up to $500,000 CAD in funding and acceleration services to support early– to mid-stage researchers and start-up companies in healthtech, fintech, and biotech solutions who are looking for product refinement and pivotal validation support. Eligible researchers and start-up companies and researchers are encouraged to apply by April 23, 2025, to advance their innovation journeys with CABHI’s support and network of ecosystem partners.
About the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation:
The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, was established in 2015 to support researchers, clinicians, and innovators, as they develop and adopt transformative innovations that improve the lives of older persons, including those impacted by dementia. CABHI is a unique collaboration of healthcare, science, industry, not-for-profit, and government partners. Through its funding programs and tailored acceleration services, including access to diverse end-user groups, CABHI advances transformative aging and brain health innovations across Canada and the world. For more information, visit: www.cabhi.com.
About Baycrest
At Baycrest, our vision is a world where every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment and dignity. Baycrest is a global leader in aging and brain health innovation, with over 105 years of expertise in seniors’ care and cutting-edge research. Baycrest has been Designated with Exemplary Status by Accreditation Canada, and drives industry-leading care and safety outcomes. As the home of the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) powered by Baycrest, the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE) and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Baycrest is at the forefront of dementia research. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest’s training programs shape the future of care globally, while Baycrest Global Solutions extends its expertise to senior living and healthcare internationally. For more information, visit: baycrest.org.
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Media Contact: Natasha Nacevski-Laird, Media Relations Specialist, NNacevski-Laird@baycrest.org, 416-785-2500, ext. 5011
