Launchpad

Our innovation vision is to provide a product for everyone at every stage of dementia.

Through Launchpad you can take the first step in making your product idea a reality. 

What is Launchpad?

Launchpad is a part-time, free, four-month bespoke support package that helps passionate people to de-risk, validate and pitch their dementia innovation product ideas. Read our Innovation Applicant Handbook to find out more.

Launchpad could help you to: 

• Identify and find your customer base
• Validate your product idea 
• Develop your business model 
• Sell into health and social care settings
• Create a data rich narrative articulating your idea's value 
• Create a robust evaluation plan for early product pilots.

You will benefit from: 

• 1:1 coaching from a business mentor
• 1:1 coaching from a dementia systems mentor
• In-person networking events 
• Business skills development masterclasses delivered in partnership with Good Innovation
• The opportunity to pitch your product to expert networks to secure first customers, follow on funding, and pilot sites
• Access to people living with dementia and health and social care professionals to validate ideas.

We have teamed up with Good Innovation to deliver the support on Launchpad. Good Innovation is a leading impact innovation consultancy. For the last ten years they've been supporting amazing people to develop, launch and scale new ideas that will deliver both impact and income. They've also launched successful start-ups of their own, so they know the reality of what it takes. 

Who can apply to Launchpad? 

This is a safe space for game-changing ideas powered by ambitious entrepreneurs, technologists and dementia experts. We will hold your hand as you turn un-tested and un-refined ideas into convincing commercial propositions. All you need is a passion for transforming the lives of those living with dementia and an appetite for building a commercial enterprise. 

We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

The support package is free and will run part time for four months. We expect that applicants can devote a minimum of half a day per week to launchpad related activities. We hope that these ideas continue to be developed beyond the support period and go on to change the dementia product landscape. However, we also recognise the value of a safe, no strings environment to experiment with novel ideas. As a result there are no expectations of continued activity beyond this four month support package. 

Launchpad 2024/25 Round Focus

Launchpad 2024/25 will kick off in February 2025, with applications opening on 14 October 2024. This round is particularly looking for product ideas addressing the challenges around the hospital journey for people living with dementia.  

We have a broad focus around hospitalisation that includes ideas to: 

• reduce unnecessary admissions 

• make hospitals more dementia-friendly

• support transitions back into the community

• to support the carers and loved ones of those in hospital 

• to address system level challenges with healthcare management and process.

Although people living with dementia may not be the primary customer or end user of your product, we will encourage the co-design of all products with those living with dementia to ensure they are dementia friendly. 

Application Process

Applications open on 14 October, and close on 13 January. All applications will be reviewed upon submission and, if successful, applicants will be invited to the next scheduled interview panel day. We encourage early submission as places are limited and we reserve the right to close the call early.