Flanders has set its sights on becoming a European leader in AgeTech, the fast-growing field of aging-related technology, led by dynamic startups like Antwerp’s Nobi.
The company recently showcased its investments at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, signifying its ambitious goal to excel similarly to how biotech has done in Flanders.
Nobi, alongside other European and Belgian firms, also invested in Birdhouse, a European accelerator installed in Belgium.
Foreign firms collaborate in Flanders, allowing local businesses to glean from their expertise. “We aim to bring the best startups and join forces here,” explained Roeland Pelgrims, CEO of Nobi, which has developed intelligent lamps embedded with artificial intelligence to prevent and detect falls at home among elderly, enabling many to age at home rather than in institutions.
The Antwerp company’s presence in Las Vegas was strategic, following an “exceptional” year, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
It invested over €160,000 in an impressive booth situated near one of the fair’s largest – the AARP, the largest American interest group for the elderly.
At CES, Nobi extended its range and transitioned its elderly care from institutional settings to the vast American consumer market, with the goal of enabling them to age at home.
The company hopes to grow further in the US while exploring other markets.
According to Pelgrims, CES 2024 was a great success, attracting high-profile interest and valuable contacts with CEOs and financial directors from large US and Asian tech and telecommunications firms, potential additions to Nobi’s portfolio. “The return on investment is beyond measure,” the Antwerp boss said.
In the past six months, the company has seen “revolutionary” results in collaboration with the British National Health Service. By working with care staff in nursing homes, Nobi was able to prevent 80% of falls, switching healthcare’s approach from curative to preventative.
Age tech’s future looks bright with Europe’s growing elderly population.
By 2040, a quarter of the European population will be over 65. The age tech sector in Europe was valued at €2.8 trillion last year by Belgian expert Dirk Schyvinck, equating to the GDP of a country like France.
