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Revolutionizing Care: Winners of the KAiGO DESIGN AWARD 2026

The KAiGO PRiDE organization, based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has just revealed the award recipients for the KAiGO DESIGN AWARD 2026, a pitch contest aimed at recognizing exceptional products, business models, AI solutions, and creative works in the caregiving and healthcare sector. This prestigious award ceremony took place on February 27, 2026, during the final day of the International KAiGO Festival 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight.

Contest Highlights

The KAiGO DESIGN AWARD, in its second edition, was co-hosted this year with MySCUE, a branch of Aeon Retail. The contest featured four categories, including a newly established AI division, and sought submissions across:
1. Product Design (Healthcare)
2. Product Design (Caregiving)
3. Business Ideas
4. AI & Creative Content (Photography)

A diverse panel of judges participated, including business leaders from Aeon Retail, who assessed submissions through a distribution lens and current caregiving professionals who offered user insights. This multifaceted judging approach ensured comprehensive evaluations emphasizing both theoretical and practical aspects of care innovation.

The Award's Mission

The KAiGO DESIGN AWARD aims to transform challenges in caregiving and healthcare into opportunities by celebrating products, ideas, services, and expressions. In the Product Design category, the top awards went to two remarkable solutions: WHILL Inc.'s `WHILL Model R`, designed to enhance mobility for seniors, and Gyokuro Soap's `SUSUGU`, an innovative portable hair washing device allowing individuals to wash their hair while remaining dressed. In the Business Ideas category, the first prize was awarded to Sanwa Kitchen's `Table Code`, a unique rental service for dishware tailored for elderly care facilities.

The newly created AI Innovation category honored Panasonic Entertainment & Communication's `NICOBO`, a communication robot designed to bring smiles to caregiving environments. In the Creative Content category, the distinguished photographer Yoshikazu Toya captured the essence of caregiving with his work `A Happy Day`.

During the festival, attendees could experience demonstrations by finalists, and their votes influenced the final outcomes. The pitch competition for business ideas and AI innovations provided a platform for participants to showcase their ideas effectively.

Insights from the Award

Manjot Bedi, the representative director of KAiGO PRiDE, expressed the importance of the award, stating:

“The word caregiving fundamentally addresses whether individuals can live joyfully and authentically until the end of their lives. The KAiGO DESIGN AWARD honors challengers who strive to answer this question through the power of products, services, technology, and expression.”

He emphasized the significance of collaborative judging conducted from both the service provider and recipient perspectives, stating that each entry had broadened the definition of caregiving beyond industry confines, ushering in new economic and empathetic connections.

The International KAiGO Festival 2026

The International KAiGO Festival served as a significant gathering for practitioners and thought leaders aimed at redefining caregiving in a super-aged society. The festival hosted engaging discussions on the future of elderly care and the emerging 'Silver Economy,' emphasizing that aging should not be viewed merely as a burden but as a growth opportunity. Notable speakers, including Jun Sasaki, Chairman of Yushokai, and Hiroyuki Murata, Professor at Tohoku University, shared their insights on fostering a society where individuality and enjoyment persist into later life stages.

Sessions explored themes such as 'Designing Positive Life,' featuring discussions about valuing diversity regardless of age or ability. The collaboration between caregiving, finance, and startups highlighted innovative solutions enhancing healthcare delivery.

Looking Ahead

The culmination of events paved the way to envision a positive life where aging is no longer an obstacle but rather an opportunity. KAiGO PRiDE also announced a new project: the Care:tive Award (CCA), aiming to honor creators enhancing society's perception of elderly caregiving through various expressive mediums. The final showcase is planned for IKF2027, ensuring ongoing innovation in the caregiving space.

With dynamic initiatives and collaborations, the KAiGO DESIGN AWARD and the International KAiGO Festival demonstrate an inspiring commitment to advancing the intensity of care and creativity in Japan’s evolving landscape.