Set among 3D printers and exciting technology projects, more than 50 people from various sectors of our community gathered to hear business pitches for innovative products and services in aging at the VCU Art Depot earlier this month. “Aging2.0 Richmond Pitch Event | Connect! Caregiving, Transportation & Housing” served as a kick off for the new local chapter of Aging2.0 Richmond, which operates under the Greater Richmond Age Wave collaborative.
Beth Ludden, Senior Vice President of LTC Product Development for Genworth Financial, chairs the Business for Life (BFL) work group, part of implementation of the Greater Richmond Regional Plan for Age Wave Readiness. Ludden opened the event with a presentation that outlined the BFL work group and Aging2.0, plus some inspiration for the audience of investors, industry leaders and age network professionals. “I am personally trying to change the belief that aging isn’t fun,” Ludden announced.
The crowd heard four-minute pitches from six local entrepreneurs at varying stages in their product/service development. Two minutes were allotted for questions and answers from the audience, who then had one minute to rate the pitch via an online survey service on their smart devices.
Votes were tallied, and the top prize went to “Catch a Glimpse of Me” (trademark pending). Created by Lindsay King Seymour, it’s a tool that helps long-term care community staff members provide a higher level of person-centered care through the use of video-taped resident interviews.
Read about the BFL work group and other participants in the event program
Seymour, who graduated from VCU with a master’s in gerontology in 2014, said the idea for “Catch a Glimpse of Me” came to her in graduate school. She has been working as a recreation specialist at Covenant Woods Retirement Community for the past 12 years, and has a particular interest in exploring ways to provide quality person-centered care for individuals living in long-term care communities. Recently she was awarded the Marion Cotter King award to acknowledge outstanding contribution to the study of recreation, leisure, and optimal aging.
The Greater Richmond Age Wave thanks Genworth for sponsoring the Aging2.0 Pitch Event, as well as fellow philanthropic partners Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, The Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. .
About the Business for Life work group
The Business for Life work group, part of the implementation of the Greater Richmond Regional Plan for Age Wave Readiness, is chaired by Beth Ludden, Senior Vice President of LTC Product Development for Genworth Financial. The group brings together a network of businesses, professionals focused on aging challenges & services, VCU professors and students, and local providers focused on future services and products that appeal to a growing market of consumers. By considering key factors of physical environment, access to services, customer appeal, workforce, marketing and engagement, the Business for Life work group provides a platform to foster sound business practices and enhance profitability. As with all work group initiatives, these goals promote active aging, as well as engagement, livability, stability and wellness for all generations in the Richmond region.
About Aging2.0
Aging2.0 is a global organization that aims to accelerate innovation that will improve the lives of older adults around the world. Richmond is one of 18 local chapters in North America. Local events like the Nov. 5 pitch session allow chapters to host innovators and have them present to a broad cross-section of the aging and long-term care community; this helps the global network see where innovators are and what they’re working on. The organization provides opportunities to connect with investors, mentors and other strategic groups.
For more information about the Greater Richmond Age Wave and/or to engage in our local movement email [email protected] or visit our collaborative website: www.agewellva.com
Beth Ludden, Senior Vice President of LTC Product Development for Genworth Financial, chairs the Business for Life (BFL) work group, part of implementation of the Greater Richmond Regional Plan for Age Wave Readiness. Ludden opened the event with a presentation that outlined the BFL work group and Aging2.0, plus some inspiration for the audience of investors, industry leaders and age network professionals. “I am personally trying to change the belief that aging isn’t fun,” Ludden announced.
The crowd heard four-minute pitches from six local entrepreneurs at varying stages in their product/service development. Two minutes were allotted for questions and answers from the audience, who then had one minute to rate the pitch via an online survey service on their smart devices.
Votes were tallied, and the top prize went to “Catch a Glimpse of Me” (trademark pending). Created by Lindsay King Seymour, it’s a tool that helps long-term care community staff members provide a higher level of person-centered care through the use of video-taped resident interviews.
Read about the BFL work group and other participants in the event program
Seymour, who graduated from VCU with a master’s in gerontology in 2014, said the idea for “Catch a Glimpse of Me” came to her in graduate school. She has been working as a recreation specialist at Covenant Woods Retirement Community for the past 12 years, and has a particular interest in exploring ways to provide quality person-centered care for individuals living in long-term care communities. Recently she was awarded the Marion Cotter King award to acknowledge outstanding contribution to the study of recreation, leisure, and optimal aging.
The Greater Richmond Age Wave thanks Genworth for sponsoring the Aging2.0 Pitch Event, as well as fellow philanthropic partners Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, The Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. .
About the Business for Life work group
The Business for Life work group, part of the implementation of the Greater Richmond Regional Plan for Age Wave Readiness, is chaired by Beth Ludden, Senior Vice President of LTC Product Development for Genworth Financial. The group brings together a network of businesses, professionals focused on aging challenges & services, VCU professors and students, and local providers focused on future services and products that appeal to a growing market of consumers. By considering key factors of physical environment, access to services, customer appeal, workforce, marketing and engagement, the Business for Life work group provides a platform to foster sound business practices and enhance profitability. As with all work group initiatives, these goals promote active aging, as well as engagement, livability, stability and wellness for all generations in the Richmond region.
About Aging2.0
Aging2.0 is a global organization that aims to accelerate innovation that will improve the lives of older adults around the world. Richmond is one of 18 local chapters in North America. Local events like the Nov. 5 pitch session allow chapters to host innovators and have them present to a broad cross-section of the aging and long-term care community; this helps the global network see where innovators are and what they’re working on. The organization provides opportunities to connect with investors, mentors and other strategic groups.
For more information about the Greater Richmond Age Wave and/or to engage in our local movement email [email protected] or visit our collaborative website: www.agewellva.com
