Meet the Six Finalists for the 2022 Connect & Thrive Pitch Competition

In collaboration with Venture Miami, we're excited to announce the six finalists for the Connect & Thrive Pitch competition. The finalists will present their AgeTech solutions in front of a global audience and distinguished panel of judges at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, FL on March 9th. The people’s choice winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and the grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize. In addition to these prizes, the winner will have an opportunity to be considered in the AARP Innovation Labs startup portfolio; recognition and interview opportunities through Venture Miami; and an opportunity to meet with mayor Francis Suarez for a “Cafecito Talk.”

Meet The Finalists:

Carevocacy?(Hollywood, FL)?-?Carevocacy aims to reduce social isolation and promote independence through tech education. They do this by matching older adults with tech tutors (Carevocates).?

Chatables?(West Palm Beach, FL)-?Chatables creates virtual characters to engage isolated older adults in conversation and interactive skits to reduce feelings of loneliness, exercise the social and emotional brain, and potentially slow the onset of mental decline.

Mind&Melody, Inc.?(Miami, FL)– Mind&Melody uses interactive music programs with educational and therapeutic benefits for individuals experiencing neurological impairments in order to improve quality of life.

RAZ Mobility, LLC?(Tysons Corner, VA)-?RAZ Mobility offers mobile assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, including the RAZ Memory Cell Phone for seniors with cognitive decline.

Storybook App?(Miami, FL)-?Storybook app combines narrated bedtime stories, music and relaxation techniques like meditation and infant massage to help parents and grandparents spend high-quality time with their children before bedtime to improve emotional health and sleep.?

Vivo?(Atlanta, GA)-?Vivo provides small group personal training online that, unlike video or live-streamed classes, is a live and interactive two-way experience that addresses the loss of strength and independence in older adults.

Judges:

We're honored to welcome three thought leaders in innovation to serve as judges for this event:

• Annette Franqui, Chair, AARP Board of Directors
• Melissa Krinzman, Managing Partner, Krillion Ventures | former VC in Residence, City of Miami, Office of Mayor Suarez
• Derick Pearson, Co-Founder of the Center for Black Innovation

Special Guests:

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, elected President of the US Conference of Mayors will provide opening remarks during the Connect & Thrive Pitch Competition.?

RSVP Here to Attend.

Read the whole press release here.