The challenge

Alzheimer’s Society wanted to go beyond traditional grant-giving and research funding to explore new, more entrepreneurial ways of driving impact for people affected by dementia.

The ambition was to create a new model that could uncover, accelerate and scale innovative ideas with the potential to transform lives. The challenge was to design a programme that combined the rigour of venture building with the charity’s in-depth understanding of the dementia ecosystem to help early-stage dementia innovators develop new solutions that could make a real difference. 

Good Innovation was brought in as a strategic partner to help shape, deliver and coach the first cohort of the Launchpad programme - Alzheimer’s Society’s flagship incubator for dementia innovators.

The solution 

We partnered with Alzheimer’s Society to design and deliver a four-month incubator that supported 12 early-stage dementia innovators developing a diverse range of solutions, from fintech solutions and assistive technologies to new care services and community-based models of support.

The programme combined group learning with tailored, one-to-one support. We delivered a series of interactive masterclasses where innovators explored topics such as defining their value proposition, understanding different customer needs, validating business models, and building an effective route to market. Each session was designed to help founders move from idea to impact, balancing commercial rigour with empathy for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Alongside the masterclasses, each innovator received bespoke coaching from Good Innovation experts to apply their learning directly to their venture. Our team supported founders to test and prototype new solutions, develop go-to-market strategies, and refine their investor pitch. Good Innovation’s team of designers, developers, venture builders and service designers helped these startups get their ideas investor ready, or ready to take to market. 

The programme culminated in a Demo Day where innovators pitched their solutions to investors, partners and Alzheimer’s Society’s leadership team, sharing their vision for how their solution can transform the lives of people affected by dementia.

The impact

The first cohort of Launchpad successfully supported 12 dementia innovators, several of whom have gone on to secure pilots, partnerships and funding. The programme created a new model for how Alzheimer’s Society can catalyse innovation in dementia care and positioned the organisation as a sector leader in impact innovation.

Launchpad showcased how our service design, product development and venture-building expertise can help charities move towards a more entrepreneurial model of delivering impact for people affected by dementia, creating scalable impact through new products, services and ventures that change lives.