JAIN Challenge 2025: Winners known!

This year marked the fifth edition of the JAIN Challenge, a Dutch initiative that recognises innovative prototypes and products designed to support people living with dementia, their carers, and healthcare professionals. Central to these challenges is promoting self-reliance, improving the quality of life, and extending the time people with dementia can continue living in their own home environments. Additionally, the JAIN Challenges support healthcare professionals in optimizing care while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.

INTERDEM was again a great supporter of this challenge in the role of jury members and chair of the challenges*. Also people with dementia and informal caregivers shared valuable insights as jury members.

We had seventeen submissions for the categories prototype or market ready product. Six of them reached the semi-final, with various technologies such as AI-based assistants at home to smart help systems in case of emergencies. All finalists showed how their technologies can make an impact in the care of people with dementia.

After careful deliberation, two winners were chosen:

Prototype Category Winner: Clef’r Radio by Rik Wesselink—praised for its calming nature, ease of use, and contribution to autonomy and caregiver support. It was co-developed with end users and enhances quality of life rather than solving a specific problem.

Rik has worked during his PhD on this prototype and aims to continue with it in order to make impact with his device in daily lives of people with dementia.

Product Category Winner: Maatje doll by Richard Kuijpers of Smartrobot Solutions—valued for its multiple functions, interactive features, attractive design, and support in providing structure and companionship.

Richard explained that the doll is often used in intramural settings, but also at home and he has already plans how this can be made affordable at home.

Congratulations to both winners! JAIN will support these winners and also the other participants. Each one has gained insights to improve their prototype or product, based on feedback of the jury.

More information can be found on the JAIN website: JAIN homepage – JAIN

Franka Meiland, chair of the JAIN challenges and Hans Arnold, Founder JAIN

And thanks to:

Our INTERDEM members of the jury: Marco Blom, Hannah Christie, David Neal, Carolien Smits, Jenny van der Steen, Hilde Verbeek, Marjolein de Vugt (all jury members can be found here: https://www.jainprojects.com/jc-quality-assurance/)

Alzheimer Nederland and Brain Power