Advancing brain health and attracting global investment with Canadian innovation

As populations age around the world, dementia rates continue to rise, making the need for innovative solutions more urgent than ever before. In Canada alone, dementia cases are expected to reach 1.7 million by 2050, at an annual cost of $110 billion. 

World Alzheimer's Month is about more than raising awareness and mobilizing knowledge about dementia detection, prevention, treatment, and care. It is also an opportunity to recognize the Canadian scientists, researchers, and innovators developing solutions that ensure every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment, and dignity, while helping build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy. 

With Canada now one of a growing list of super-aged nations, driving aging and brain health innovation is critical for economic growth, global competitiveness, and trade diversification. Canadian companies are not only developing solutions that help people age well by closing the near-decade gap between healthspan (the number of years a person can live a healthy, active life) and lifespan, but are also positioning Canada as an international leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and other critical technologies. 

CABHI-supported companies have gone on to secure over $1 billion in follow-on investment, and create $97 million in Canadian jobs. Many of these companies go on to attract significant investment into Canada’s economy in support of economic resilience and sovereignty.  

FluidAI Medical, a Canadian company developing AI-powered technologies that enable earlier detection of post-surgical complications and continuous patient monitoring, is a great example of homegrown intellectual property creating global impact. By helping clinicians identify complications sooner, FluidAI (a participant in CABHI’s former MC2 funding program) supports safer surgical recoveries and better patient outcomes.  

In addition to positive health outcomes, FluidAI is increasing Canada’s trade capacity and attracting investments from abroad. In July 2026, during the Canadian Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia, FluidAI signed two memoranda of understanding with Gulf Medical Company Limited and Al Muhaidib Group, alongside the Ministry of Investment, supporting expansion into the Saudi market through new trade and investment partnerships.  

While FluidAI demonstrates how Canadian innovation is creating new trade and investment opportunities abroad, Xandar Kardian showcases Canada's ability to commercialize breakthrough technologies and scale them globally. Xandar Kardian, creator of a contactless health monitoring platform, uses advanced radar technology to track movement, sleep, breathing patterns, and vital signs. The technology enables earlier detection of health episodes, helping healthcare providers make more informed decisions for patient safety.  

Xandar Kardian has successfully expanded into international markets, with operations and partnerships spanning South Korea, Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Its growing global presence and ability to attract international investment demonstrate the export potential of Canadian agetech innovation, strengthening Canada's position as a leader in AI-enabled health technologies while creating new opportunities for trade, economic growth, and global collaboration. 

Another success story is AdHawk Microsystems, whose advanced eye-tracking technology measures cognitive load, neurological health, and mental fatigue. Previously supported by CABHI, the company transformed groundbreaking Canadian intellectual property into a globally competitive technology platform used across healthcare, accessibility, and consumer technology. The company's breakthrough innovation attracted international attention and investment, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Google. AdHawk's journey demonstrates how Canadian-made intellectual property can compete on the global stage and attract foreign investment. 

Together, these extraordinary companies are proof that investing in aging and brain health innovation is investing in Canada's future prosperity and sovereignty. As the country adapts to the realities of a super-aged society, Canadian innovators are improving health outcomes, attracting global investment, expanding international partnerships, and creating groundbreaking technologies that will help shape the future of aging around the world.