Investment forum for telehealth launched

The first ever Ambient Assisted Living Investment Forum will take place in Denmark this year in an attempt to stimulate more innovation and investment in the area.

The event, which will follow Ambient Assisted Living Forum at the Odense Congress Centre on 14-15 September 2010, will bring together ICT companies in the market with potential public and private investors.

It is aimed at private and public investors, entrepreneurs, market experts and customers and will include keynotes and panel discussions as well as a matchmaking session where innovators can pitch their ideas and systems to potential investors.

Reinhard Goebl, AAL Investment Forum chair, said: “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.”

An event hosted by the European Commission launched the Investment Forum last week and underlined the importance of the initiative in bringing innovators and investors together under the theme of active ageing, smart solutions and new markets.

According to the forum, changes are already taking place as more countries require more market orientated funding for innovation and research. The number of AAL projects is expected to grow rapidly due to the €1 billion of EC funding that has already been made available.

Goebl added: “The demographic challenge will put an enormous burden on public finances. Efficient usable technology will be one solution. 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.”

The AAL Joint Programme is the world’s largest initiative dealing with ageing population. It is implemented by more than 20 European Member States and aims to enhance the quality of life of older people.

Link: Ambient Assisted Living Investment Forum