Invention Lab

Testbed. Insights. Success.

Invention Lab is a testbed where AgeTech startups receive third-party testing and validation for usability, performance, and impact on seniors’ well-being. With feedback from seniors and caregivers, experts mentor startups while accelerators funnel companies into the program to refine and scale their solutions.

Our Partners

Our Unique Collaboration

  • VillageCore organizes and runs the program, ensuring smooth operations while guiding the validation process to assess the potential of new concepts.
  • Senior Care providers bring members to participate in testing.
  • Non-profits focusing on Seniors and Caregivers bring members to participate in testing. 
  • Investors serve as advisors, offering expert mentorship and guidance.
  • Accelerators funnel innovative startups into the program, provide funding, and steady stream of companies.
  • Agetech Startups provide the solution, define the market needs, establish the testing platform, and offer training on their products. They benefit from real-world feedback, mentorship, and validation within the senior care ecosystem, allowing them to refine their solutions and scale in the AgeTech market.

Program Highlights

  • Innovative Collaboration: Bringing together a wealth of knowledge and resources.
  • Testbed: A dynamic environment where startups can work alongside prospective customers, peers and mentors, fostering innovation and collaboration.
  • Focus on Aging: Dedicated to developing products and services that help seniors and their caregivers. 

Why Invention Lab

  • Why AgeTech: By 2050, the global senior population will reach 1.5 billion, while the U.S. caregiver-to-senior ratio is expected to fall from 7:1 to 4:1 by 2030. This growing gap demands innovative solutions that empower seniors to live healthier, independent lives, driving the need for new AgeTech developments.
  • Turning Ideas into Products: Innovators Lab helps startups turn their ideas into viable products by providing a robust platform for testing, refining, and launching innovations.

Program Structure

A brief look at our program structure. 

Phase 1: Orientation, Onboarding, & Idea Refinement

  • Introduction to Innovators Lab: its mission, and partners.
  • Overview: Detailed explanation of the incubator and testbed program.
  • Market Insights: Introduction to senior and caregiver challenges.
  • Mentor Assignments: Pairing participants with mentors.
  • Project Definition: Defining goals and establishing success criteria.
  • Project Scope: Outlining scope, timeline, and target customer base.

Phase 2: Target Persona Identification & Mapping User Journey

  • Target Persona Identification: Understand the target audience and finalize initial user personas.
  • User Journey Mapping: Analyze how each persona interacts with the product and technology.

Phase 3: Prototype Development, Testing Plan & User Iteration

  • Prototype Development: Create prototypes based on personas and mapped user journeys.
  • Testing Plan: Design a detailed approach for testing the prototypes.
  • User Testing: Conduct tests with the target demographic to gather feedback on usability and performance.
  • Iteration: Use feedback to refine and improve the prototypes.

Phase 4: Test Data Review, Data Driven Insights, & Recommendations

  • Test Data Consolidation: Create reports necessary for identifying data driven insights.
  • Recommendations:
    • User Feedback Summary: Summarize key insights from user testing.
    • Marketing Buzzwords: Identify relevant buzzwords to enhance market positioning.
    • Product Refinements: Suggest necessary product changes based on user input.
    • Pitch Refinement: Tailor the pitch for investors and the target market.

What We Offer

Workshops and Mentorship: A series of hands-on workshops covering design thinking, pilot project development, data analysis, and investor pitching. Mentors provide guidance at every step of the journey.
Third Party Pilot Testing: Pilot tests with real users, gathering valuable feedback.
Vendor Introductions: Vetted Attorneys, CPAs, Designers, and Developers that are willing to provide discounts to the startups are extensions of the incubator.
Partner Introductions: Where possible we will provide introductions to partner organizations such as AARP Agetech Collaborative, Aging 2.0, and other startups in the ecosystem. 
Advisor and Board Member Introductions: These may include experienced executives, senior industry leaders, venture capital advisors, and experts in technology and aging innovation.
Investment Support: Once a minimum viable product (MVP) is developed, we assist startups with investor pitches and securing funding for further development.

Invention Lab

Invention Lab offers the first step toward turning your idea into reality. The cost of participating in this program is $20,000. However, scholarships are available for the first cohort of this program launching in start of 2025.
Looking for 2025 beta participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Invention Lab is an innovative testbed program designed to help AgeTech startups refine and validate their solutions for seniors and caregivers. By collaborating with seniors, caregivers, and industry experts, startups receive third-party testing, real-world feedback, and mentorship to improve usability, performance, and impact. Our mission is to support solutions that empower seniors to live independently and improve their quality of life.

The program is ideal for:

  • AgeTech Startups: Innovators working on solutions to address the challenges of aging and caregiving.
  • Nonprofits & Senior Care Providers: Organizations that wish to participate in user testing and collaborate on refining impactful solutions.

Investors & Accelerators: Those looking to mentor, guide, and support startups focused on the aging population.

  • Real-World Testing: Gain actionable insights by testing solutions directly with seniors and caregivers.
  • Expert Mentorship: Collaborate with industry leaders, venture capital advisors, and AgeTech innovators.
  • Market Validation: Ensure your solution meets the needs of its target audience before launching.
  • Funding Support: Receive assistance with investor pitches and securing funding after developing your minimum viable product (MVP).

Networking Opportunities: Connect with accelerators, investors, and partners like AARP AgeTech Collaborative and Aging 2.0.

  • The Invention Lab follows a four-phase structure:

    • Phase 1: Orientation, Onboarding & Idea Refinement
      • Learn about senior and caregiver challenges, define project goals, and establish success criteria.
    • Phase 2: Target Persona Identification & Mapping User Journey
      • Understand your audience and map out their interactions with your solution.
    • Phase 3: Prototype Development, Testing & Iteration
      • Develop prototypes, test with real users, and refine based on feedback.
    • Phase 4: Data Insights & Recommendations
      • Consolidate test data, derive actionable insights, refine the product, and tailor investor pitches.

The participation fee for the Invention Lab is $20,000. However, scholarships are available for startups in the first cohort of 2025. Contact us to learn more about financial assistance.

The Invention Lab runs in phases, with the full program spanning approximately three months. The timeline includes orientation, user testing, prototype refinement, and final recommendations.

We focus on solutions that:

  • Empower seniors to live independently.
  • Address critical caregiving challenges.
  • Enhance usability and accessibility in senior care.
  • Leverage technology such as AI, IoT, and health innovations.

We connect startups with seniors, caregivers, and healthcare providers who:

  • Test your prototype.
  • Provide detailed feedback on usability and performance.
  • Highlight potential improvements to meet real-world needs.

Startups receive guidance from:

  • Experienced executives and industry leaders in technology and aging innovation.
  • Venture capital advisors and accelerators.
  • Senior care providers who understand the needs of the aging population.

Applications are open now for our 2025 cohort. Submit your application through our website [link]. For questions or assistance, contact our team at [email protected].

By the end of the program, startups will have:

  • A refined product or service ready for market launch.
  • Comprehensive user testing reports and actionable insights.
  • A polished investor pitch tailored to the AgeTech market.
  • Networking connections with potential investors and partners.

By 2050, the global senior population will reach 1.5 billion, creating an urgent need for solutions to improve aging and caregiving experiences. With a growing caregiver-to-senior gap, the Invention Lab supports innovations that address these challenges while driving growth in the AgeTech industry.

The Invention Lab is unique because:

  • It provides third-party validation for AgeTech solutions.
  • Participants benefit from real-world feedback from seniors and caregivers.
  • The program combines the expertise of nonprofits, startups, and accelerators.
  • We focus specifically on addressing the needs of aging populations and caregivers.