INNOVATION RESOLVING DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES
With the French population counting 20 million people over the age of 60 by 2020, the issues surrounding an ageing population are becoming a major challenge for public policy and businesses.
In this context, the start- up Zoe Care, founded in 2022 by Piotr Antonik and Thomas Saphir, is bringing a technological response to a question that is central to the demographic transition:
how can we enable senior citizens to grow old safely in their homes, without intruding on their private lives?
DEMOGRAPHICS AND STAYING AT HOME: A KEY ISSUE
Current demographic trends suggest a dual challenge:
the accelerated ageing of the population and the reduction of the number of care workers. Today, 85% of older people say they would prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible, but families and institutions struggle to provide effective monitoring. In addition, the growing dearth of medical staff and nursing assistants means that
technological solutions are becoming a necessity.
It is here that Zoe Care comes in with its solution Zoe Fall, a revolutionary smart plug that uses Wi-Fi waves to detect falls.
In contrast to bracelets and smart watches, which are often rejected by the elderly, or cameras deemed intrusive, this technology enables
discreet and continuous surveillance, adapted to an ageing population.
A BUSINESS MODEL DESIGNED FOR A CHANGING POPULATION
Zoe Care’s business model relies on a monthly subscription, which includes:
- the provision of the equipment with no need for an initial purchase, facilitating the solution’s adoption by low-income households;
- access to a mobile application enabling relatives to receive alerts in case of falls;
- a dashboard for healthcare professionals, strengthening the link between the home and medical monitoring.
With continuously growing targets thanks to the demographic transition, Zoe Care is betting on a burgeoning market.
The company has already established partnerships with nursing homes, local authorities and remote assistance service providers, which consider Zoe Fall as a complementary solution to reduce hospitalisations linked to falls.
ACTIVITY CHARACTERISED BY GROWING STRENGTH
The year 2024 marked a turning point for the start-up.
In January, Zoe Care presented its technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, garnering international recognition and making contact with manufacturers looking to integrate the solution in their domestic equipment.
To accelerate its development, the start-up is planning to raise funds dedicated to:
- large-scale production to meet growing demand;
- the development of new functionalities, such as the early detection of physical frailty;
- international expansion, particularly in Europe where demographic challenges are similar to those faced in France.
INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION
An ageing population is not just a social challenge; it is also an economic opportunity for companies able to anticipate these developments. The silver economy, estimated to reach over €130 million in France by 2030, is seeing innovative solutions emerge to meet the needs of an ageing – but ever more connected – population.
Zoe Care forms part of this dynamic by developing an approach that combines artificial intelligence and demographic data analysis. By relying on INSEE and INED forecasts, the company is able to refine its predictive models to identify the areas where remote assistance needs will be most critical in the years to come.
ONE GOAL: TO RETHINK HOW WE HANDLE AGEING
Beyond detecting falls, Zoe Care is aiming to widen its sphere of activity by developing tools able to predict changes in older people’s mobility and, thus, anticipate the first signs of dependence. Their objective is to offer more preventive treatment, reducing the costs linked to hospitalisations and long-term care.
With populations undergoing profound transformation and growing pressure on health infrastructure, solutions like those developed by Zoe Care are no longer just an option: they are a necessity. At a time when the demographic transition is redefining economic and societal priorities, this start-up illustrates how innovation can support a major structural change.
Romain Proglio – Partner, Accuracy
Accuracy Talks Straight #12 – Start-up stories