Accelerator Programme
Our Accelerator Programme invests in innovations to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
Do you have an idea for a product or service that will change lives?
Engineers, designers, developers, innovators, entrepreneurs, or anyone with a good idea – we want to hear from you.
Your idea could be a simple product that makes an everyday task easier for a person living with dementia. You may have an innovative idea for a new service or way of working for care home staff.
To bring your idea to life, our programme offers a 12-month partnership including:
- bespoke business support and investment up to a value of £100,000
- an expert innovation buddy from Alzheimer’s Society to develop their idea during a 12-month partnership.
Who can apply?
By backing passionate people with innovative ideas, we’ll accelerate the development of new products and services with the potential to benefit thousands of people.
We are looking for applications from teams or individuals at any stage of the product development journey, from a great idea that needs testing through to proven products that need a push to maximise their reach.
Please note that we will not be accepting submissions for our Accelerator programme this autumn due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will update this page as soon as we have more information on dates for the next round of our Accelerator programme.
In the meantime, if you are able to, please help support more people affected by dementia through this difficult time by giving to our emergency appeal. This will help us to fund companion calls and virtual services so that we can reach isolated and vulnerable people affected by dementia during this crisis. Thank you.
- Last update 24 August 2020
- Create a two-minute video introducing yourself and your idea for a product or service. Your video doesn’t need to be professional – a recording from a smartphone uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo would be suitable.
- Download and complete the application form and include a link to your video. Make sure you've thought about the details of your idea, and really focus on the benefits for people affected by dementia.
- Fill in our project partnership plan and budget template to outline how you will work and forecast how you will use the investment across 12 months.
- Submit your application via email to our Innovation team with a subject including 'Accelerator Programme application'. Attach your completed application form, project partnership plan and budget template. Please include your name (or your team’s name) in the file name for all three documents.
1. Alzheimer’s Society will review and shortlist applications in November 2019. Shortlisting will be based on a number of criteria, such as:
- Originality of the product or service
- Impact on people affected by dementia
- Desirability and feasibility of the product or service for people affected by dementia
- Scalability
2. The shortlist will then be invited to interview by a panel including people affected by dementia and industry experts who will decide which applicants to accept into the programme.
3. Successful applicants will be announced in December 2019.
Alzheimer’s Society will work closely with successful applicants to establish the terms of our investment in order to ensure our Accelerator Programme remains sustainable and can continue to invest in ideas that will help people affected by dementia.
We know that bringing a great idea to life and making it grow is not just about the money.
In addition to financial support, we are teaming up with leading experts to provide you with bespoke business support, and each successful applicant will be assigned a buddy from our Innovation Team to guide you through the process of bringing your idea to life.
Business support will be tailored for your needs and could include guidance on effective product development, securing further investment, and benefiting from expertise and industry connections.
Your Innovation Team buddy will help you benefit from the depth of knowledge and experience held by people affected by dementia, our staff and volunteers.
Read the full list of frequently asked questions.