OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canadian startup Tuktu has won the 2026 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge for its AI-driven platform that connects older adults and caregivers with on-demand support from trusted community helpers for everyday needs like personal shopping, driving to an appointment, technology support, or companionship.
Recognizing that loved ones cannot always be there to help and that many older adults don't need ongoing PSW care, Tuktu offers access to support through its app, email or phone, without requiring a service contract. Clients can arrange lighter support, such as casual check-ins, companionship or help with housework after a hip replacement, or more intensive care, including overnight PSW support or dementia care.
In the winning pitch, Cindy Wei, Business Development Lead at Tuktu, highlighted how social isolation, prevalent among older adults, can harm physical, emotional and mental health. Tuktu's on-demand, cost-effective services help older adults access practical and social support when they need it, fostering connection and a sense of belonging, she said.
Using AI, the platform matches individuals with trusted helpers based on language, cultural background, location and personal preferences. All Tuktu helpers are vetted through interviews, criminal background checks, and reference checks. The startup serves individuals living independently at home, as well as care homes looking to offer residents extra support.
Rustam Sengupta founded Tuktu four years ago after his father, who lives in Singapore, developed dementia. As Sengupta grappled with supporting his father from North America, he envisioned a way to book and pay trusted neighbours remotely to help with everyday needs.
For Wei, this issue resonated personally. Her 97-year-old grandfather, who lives 40 minutes away from her parents, doesn't need PSW-level support, just a little help here and there.
"Many family caregivers are part of the sandwich generation, with kids to look after and full-time jobs, which can make it challenging to have the time to support their aging parents when they need it," explained Wei. "Having a convenient, safe, affordable way to seek help for loved ones is a great use of tech and AI. At the end of the day, despite having a digital backend, Tuktu is about front-facing, neighbourly support."
Tuktu entered the market in British Columbia four years ago and has since grown to serve more than 10,000 families, supported by a network of approximately 300 providers. The company is currently building a network in Ottawa, where it has already vetted and trained 40 helpers, while beginning to expand into southwestern Ontario and the United States.
Throughout product development, the Tuktu team has consulted with older adults to ensure the interface is intuitive and accessible, including its layout, font type and size. The team also continually gathers feedback from older adults and caregivers to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure the platform remains responsive to their needs.
Winning the 2026 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge--which includes a $20,000 grant award along with various in-kind prizes and access to the AGE-WELL Innovation Studio--will help the Tuktu team collaborate with researchers to evaluate and determine how to further reduce caregiver stress and reach more older adults.
"Our support from AGE-WELL through this competition will ultimately allow us to help more older adults in more communities," said Wei. "It was a real privilege to be on the National Impact Challenge stage among the other finalists who are visionaries bringing tech to the table that is so inspiring."
This year's AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Solutions That Change Lives took place during the AGE-WELL Annual Conference in Ottawa. Four finalists were selected through an application process, while a fifth was chosen by conference attendees.
"Tuktu is a great example of how innovation can help meet the needs of older Canadians, supporting independent living and stronger connections while providing greater peace of mind for family caregivers," said Bridgette Murphy, CEO of AGE-WELL. "The AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge showcases the strength of AgeTech innovation in Canada and demonstrates how AGE-WELL helps Canadian innovators advance their solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and caregivers."
The 2026 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge was generously supported by Desjardins Group and the Ontario Brain Institute (Silver Sponsors), and Perley Health (Bronze Sponsor). Promotional partners were CanAge, CIHR Institute of Aging and YouAreUNLTD.
For more information about the finalists and the competition, visit https://agewell-nce.ca/national-impact-challenge.
About AGE-WELL
AGE-WELL is Canada's Technology and Aging Network. As a dynamic pan-Canadian network with global reach, AGE-WELL has mobilized a vast community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older Canadians and their caregivers. AGE-WELL serves as a catalyst for technological innovation that supports healthy aging while driving Canada's growing AgeTech sector. AGE-WELL's groundbreaking programs are funded by the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Research Council Canada, with additional support from the University of Toronto's Institutional Strategic Initiatives program. Discover how AGE-WELL is changing the future of aging at: https://agewell-nce.ca/.
SOURCE AGE-WELL
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