Manulife and UpLink Unveil Innovative Solutions for Asia's Aging Population
On September 6, 2025, Manulife proudly announced the winners of the 'Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge,' a significant collaboration with UpLink, an initiative from the World Economic Forum focused on nurturing early-stage innovation. This competition is the second in a series designed to inspire solutions addressing the evolving challenges of an aging population in Asia. With a staggering 85 submissions evaluated, the selected ventures demonstrate transformative potential aimed at enhancing financial resilience and promoting healthy aging across the continent.
Among the ten ventures celebrated for their innovation, three standouts were awarded critical funding totaling CAD $200,000 to further their impact. These winners include a diverse group of initiatives:
1. Agewhale (Hong Kong): This platform provides elderly individuals and their caregivers with tools to enable safe aging at home through the Care Compass app, overcoming technology divides in elder healthcare.
2. AqlCare (Abu Dhabi): By turning traditional video calls between caregivers and patients into structured cognitive screenings, AqlCare facilitates the early detection of dementia, combining accessibility with compelling health communication.
3. DoctorTool (Jakarta): This initiative is revolutionizing access to healthcare in Indonesia by integrating AI and digital applications into primary care settings, focusing on underserved communities.
4. Happy60plus (Bengaluru): Through tech-enabled wellness programs, this organization cultivates engagement and independence among seniors, providing them with fulfilling, community-oriented experiences.
5. Infiheal (Pune): This platform takes a personalized approach to mental and sexual health, ensuring therapy services are accessible and affordable while eliminating stigma.
6. Kinexcs (Singapore): By utilizing AI-driven wearable technology, Kinexcs supports personalized rehabilitation at home, easing the burden on healthcare systems post-surgery.
7. PINTAR (Singapore): Targeting returnee migrant workers, this program fosters social connection and lifelong learning to facilitate economic resilience.
8. Sav (Dubai): An innovative financial platform that personalizes users' financial actions through AI insights, promptly addressing their investment and savings needs.
9. Xandar Kardian (Toronto): This initiative uses radar technology to enable seniors to maintain health monitoring at home passively, lowering hospitalization rates while enhancing peace of mind.
10. YoungHappy (Bangkok): A dual-platform initiative that helps urban seniors in Thailand engage meaningfully and independently in their communities, creating opportunities for learning and work.
Sarah Chapman, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Manulife, highlighted the importance of these innovations, stating, ‘These startups are making strides toward a future where people not only live longer but thrive financially and physically.’ With Asia expected to see one in four individuals over 60 by 2050—a demographic shift propelled by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates—the urgency for inclusive wellness solutions is palpable.
As this region redefines societal norms, moving away from the traditional life cycle of ‘school, work, retirement’, the concept of continuous learning and caregiving becomes vital. Manulife's recent Asia Care Survey echoed this sentiment, showing that the interconnection between financial, mental, and physical well-being is central to individuals' lives across Asia.
John Dutton, Head of UpLink, emphasized the role of early-stage innovation in adapting to demographic shifts, remarking that collaborative initiatives such as these can turn challenges into opportunities for positive community impact.
Looking ahead, the third challenge in this series is set to launch in 2026, with a new thematic focus. This partnership reflects a commitment to develop impactful health and economic opportunities that can create a sustainable future. Manulife's focus on this initiative aligns with its broader Impact Agenda, which targets sustained well-being and inclusive growth across various demographics.
To learn more about the impactful initiatives behind the Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge, visit the Manulife Impact Agenda page. With the potential to reshape how society approaches aging and wellness, these innovations promise a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
About Manulife: Manulife Financial Corporation, headquartered in Toronto, serves global clients with commitment to improving lives through accessible and tailored financial services. The company trades as 'MFC' on major exchanges, including Toronto and New York. For more information, visit their website.
About UpLink: A pivotal initiative by the World Economic Forum, UpLink aims to leverage entrepreneurship to solve significant global challenges and foster a sustainable, equitable future. With strategic partnerships and strong support networks, UpLink continues to assist startups in scaling their impact effectively.
Among the ten ventures celebrated for their innovation, three standouts were awarded critical funding totaling CAD $200,000 to further their impact. These winners include a diverse group of initiatives:
1. Agewhale (Hong Kong): This platform provides elderly individuals and their caregivers with tools to enable safe aging at home through the Care Compass app, overcoming technology divides in elder healthcare.
2. AqlCare (Abu Dhabi): By turning traditional video calls between caregivers and patients into structured cognitive screenings, AqlCare facilitates the early detection of dementia, combining accessibility with compelling health communication.
3. DoctorTool (Jakarta): This initiative is revolutionizing access to healthcare in Indonesia by integrating AI and digital applications into primary care settings, focusing on underserved communities.
4. Happy60plus (Bengaluru): Through tech-enabled wellness programs, this organization cultivates engagement and independence among seniors, providing them with fulfilling, community-oriented experiences.
5. Infiheal (Pune): This platform takes a personalized approach to mental and sexual health, ensuring therapy services are accessible and affordable while eliminating stigma.
6. Kinexcs (Singapore): By utilizing AI-driven wearable technology, Kinexcs supports personalized rehabilitation at home, easing the burden on healthcare systems post-surgery.
7. PINTAR (Singapore): Targeting returnee migrant workers, this program fosters social connection and lifelong learning to facilitate economic resilience.
8. Sav (Dubai): An innovative financial platform that personalizes users' financial actions through AI insights, promptly addressing their investment and savings needs.
9. Xandar Kardian (Toronto): This initiative uses radar technology to enable seniors to maintain health monitoring at home passively, lowering hospitalization rates while enhancing peace of mind.
10. YoungHappy (Bangkok): A dual-platform initiative that helps urban seniors in Thailand engage meaningfully and independently in their communities, creating opportunities for learning and work.
Sarah Chapman, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Manulife, highlighted the importance of these innovations, stating, ‘These startups are making strides toward a future where people not only live longer but thrive financially and physically.’ With Asia expected to see one in four individuals over 60 by 2050—a demographic shift propelled by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates—the urgency for inclusive wellness solutions is palpable.
As this region redefines societal norms, moving away from the traditional life cycle of ‘school, work, retirement’, the concept of continuous learning and caregiving becomes vital. Manulife's recent Asia Care Survey echoed this sentiment, showing that the interconnection between financial, mental, and physical well-being is central to individuals' lives across Asia.
John Dutton, Head of UpLink, emphasized the role of early-stage innovation in adapting to demographic shifts, remarking that collaborative initiatives such as these can turn challenges into opportunities for positive community impact.
Looking ahead, the third challenge in this series is set to launch in 2026, with a new thematic focus. This partnership reflects a commitment to develop impactful health and economic opportunities that can create a sustainable future. Manulife's focus on this initiative aligns with its broader Impact Agenda, which targets sustained well-being and inclusive growth across various demographics.
To learn more about the impactful initiatives behind the Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge, visit the Manulife Impact Agenda page. With the potential to reshape how society approaches aging and wellness, these innovations promise a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
About Manulife: Manulife Financial Corporation, headquartered in Toronto, serves global clients with commitment to improving lives through accessible and tailored financial services. The company trades as 'MFC' on major exchanges, including Toronto and New York. For more information, visit their website.
About UpLink: A pivotal initiative by the World Economic Forum, UpLink aims to leverage entrepreneurship to solve significant global challenges and foster a sustainable, equitable future. With strategic partnerships and strong support networks, UpLink continues to assist startups in scaling their impact effectively.
Topics Business Technology）
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