Winners of the call for projects

In total, 192 start-ups and small businesses submitted their solutions for the call for projects aimed at improving the day-to-day lives of older people living at home. During the presentation process of the 17 finalists selected by the jury, five companies were selected to be the winners.

The winners will be paid to pilot their solutions and receive support from EDF and its partners to help them implement the tested solutions. They can also receive technical support and help from experts at EDF. Favourite companies from the group of winners will be featured through EDF's marketing channels.

You Take Care is a solution developed by Blue Radar, a start-up located in Niort. This monitoring system makes it easier for vulnerable people to stay at home and helps their family caregivers, healthcare providers, and care professionals. YouTakeCare offers a connected GPS tracking service in the home that doesn't require any sensors or worn devices and can be easily incorporated into any type of home.

YouTakeCare addresses important societal issues such as our ageing population, individuals' desire to live at home as long as possible, the reduction of digital and intergenerational divides, and the lack of home care assistants and coordination within the system when it comes to caring for vulnerable people.

President and founder: Patrick CATURLA

Coorganiz develops digital solutions that simplify the day-to-day organisation of peer groups. As part of the call for projects, Coorganiz presented a mobile and online solution that makes it easier to organise visits to and care of an older person. This solution lets the primary caregiver work with friends, family, and healthcare and service professionals to easily coordinate everyone's schedule. It also makes it possible to share the information, including appointment times, activities, to-do lists, and important documents, needed for successful visits with an adapted level of confidentiality. Finally, it makes it easier to remotely monitor the individual thanks to special features like a digital home diary.

By making visits more organised and improving treatment monitoring, Coorganiz helps the elderly enjoy a better quality of life and stay in their homes for longer. The company is based in London and Paris.

Co-founders and directors: Anne-Beatrice SONNIER and Emma BERGER

Merci Julie a company based in the social and solidarity economy and located in Fontenay-sous-Bois (94), develops a unique collection of services dedicated to adapting and outfitting the environments of people who are vulnerable and/or dealing with a loss of independence. Its team is made up of occupational therapists (medical specialists trained in outfitting patients' living environments and providing technical assistance to help increase independence) and a housing and technology adviser. Merci Julie offers its expertise in providing services (home care support and solutions that boost independence) and adapting the home environment in accordance with strict ethical guidelines (informed consent of each recipient, free choice of services, etc.). The company also never fails to take into account the quality of life of family caregivers and the well-being of professionals.

As part of the call for projects, Merci Julie presented its remote occupational therapy service, which provides patients with advice to help increase their independence within their environment depending on their specific needs—all via a remote platform. This new method of communication, which is easier to use and access, makes it possible to answer individuals' quick questions about organising their living environment, regardless of their location in France.

President: Michaël CARRE
General Manager: Christophe BERLY
Director of Development and Coordination: Mickaël BRIQUET

Geekzie lets specially selected students teach older people how to use digital technologies via private, at-home lessons. The goal is to help promote digital inclusion among the elderly while also fostering intergenerational bonds. This friendly approach makes it easier for people to communicate with their family and friends, entertain themselves, and carry out tasks online. As part of the call for projects, Geekzie was selected as a "favourite" in the "Maintaining home independence" category. Based out of Paris, the company also provides services in several other cities, including Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and Bordeaux.

President and founder: Paul GAUDRY

Les Talents d'Alphonse is the first platform that helps build bridges between generations through the transmission of experiences. It currently allows 1,000 "Alphonses" and "Alphonsines", a group of fascinating and passionate retirees, to teach their talents to children and younger adults in Paris and Lille. Les Talents d'Alphonse is convinced of the importance of intergenerational ties and believes that retirees are a key component of a well-balanced society. The company was selected as a "Favourite" in the "Remote monitoring and peace of mind" category.

Co-founder and president: Thibault BASTIN
Co-founder and CEO: Barthélemy GAS