Santander X Global Challenge | Reimagine Silver Age

We are looking for the most innovative startups and scaleups across 11 countries who are revolutionising the future by improving the health, well-being, independence, and financial stability of older generations.

Apply now
Apply now

Santander X Global Challenge | Reimagine Silver Age seeks innovative companies developing transformative solutions to support the challenges and opportunities of an aging population - one that is both living longer and striving for a better quality of life. The challenge focuses on advancing preventative health, mental wellbeing, personal independence, and financial stability.

 

Led by Banco Santander, Philips, and the Oxentia Foundation, the initiative supports businesses across 11 countries who are working to shape a longer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

11 countries

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay.

2 categories

For companies developing cutting-edge solution to support active, healthy aging.

6 winners

120,000 euros in cash, access to the global Santander X100 community and other benefits.

As life expectancy continues to rise, so do the challenges of ensuring healthy aging and a high-quality, fulfilling life.

We are looking for companies with innovative solutions that empower people to live longer, more active, and enriching lives - whether through groundbreaking technologies in preventive healthcare, mental wellbeing, or tailored financial models.

If your company is ready to revolutionise the way we live and age, submit your application by August 04, 2025.

Participation is free, and you don't need to bank with Santander to take part.

Apply now

The companies and solutions we are looking for

Prizes

Cash prize

Cash prize

€ 120,000 for the winners:

 

3 startups: €10,000 each

 

3 scaleups: €30,000 each

Santander X Community

Santander X 100

The Santander X community offers the most outstanding start-ups and scale-ups networking and access to the resources they need to grow. 

Connection with Fintech Station

The winning start-ups and scale-ups will have access to Banco Santander's open innovation team to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Support from Philips

  • Mentoring for the winners
  • Connections to relevant business units, e.g. Open Innovation
  • Connections for potential investment opportunities.
Apply now

Key dates

From
09
Jun
2025
To
04
Aug
2025
Registration open

Registration is open for startups and scaleups.

17
Sep
2025
Finalist announcement

Announcement of the 20 finalists, 10 startups and 10 scaleups.

 

From
24
Sep
2025
To
25
Sep
2025
Pitch day

The 20 finalists receive support from international mentors to pepare their pitch to the jury. 

05
Nov
2025
Awards ceremony

Announcement of the 6 winners, 3 startups and 3 scaleups from 11 countries. 

Categories

Technology-based startups and scaleups with innovative solutions to improve the user experience.

 

Startups

Must be legally constituted in one of the participating countries and fulfil at least one of the following criteria: annual income not exceeding $300,000, capital raised between $100,000 and $1 million, or between 2 and 25 full-time employees.

 

Scaleups

Be legally constituted for at least two years in one of the participating countries and fulfil at least one of the following criteria: annual income greater than $300,000, capital raised greater than $1 million or more than 25 full-time employees.

Convocado por

 

Banco Santander

At Banco Santander we have been supporting education, employability and entrepreneurship for more than 27 years. This unique and global initiative sets us apart from other financial institutions around the world.

To date, Santander has invested more than 2.3 billion euros and supported more than 1.5 million people and companies through collaboration agreements with universities and institutions around the world.

 

Philips

Royal Philips, a leader in health technology, improves health and well-being through patient-centered innovation, combining advanced technology with clinical expertise.

It offers personal and professional solutions in both hospitals and homes. Headquartered in the Netherlands, it stands out in diagnostics, image-guided therapy, monitoring, and health informatics, with 67,800 employees in over 100 countries.

 

Oxentia Foundation

Oxentia emerged from the University of Oxford's technology transfer company, Oxford University Innovation, with the aim of providing specialised innovation management services to clients in the public and private sectors around the world.

Oxentia's approach is based on Oxford's strong tradition of providing global support to innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs to promote innovative projects that have an impact on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

We answer your questions

Eligible startups and scaleups should work in one of the following 4 areas and be developing solutions in fields such as:
 

  • Preventive Healthcare & Early Detection: We are looking for solutions that leverage AI for the early detection of chronic disease. This includes biomarkers or data, wearable devices for real-time health monitoring and predictive insights, generative AI-powered personalised health plans based on lifestyle and genetic factors, telehealth platforms that enable preventive care and continuous health monitoring, and predictive analytics tools that assess movement or speech patterns to detect early signs of cognitive decline.
  • Assistive Technologies & Independent Living: Innovative solutions such as AI-driven home sensors to detect unusual behaviours, fall detection sensors, voice-controlled smart assistants for daily tasks and security, mobility assistance solutions enhanced with real-time navigation and stability feedback, remote care and monitoring dashboards for families and professionals, and AI companions that adapt to user preferences and offer emotional support.
  • Finances for Longevity & Economic Planning: Innovative financial solutions such as AI-powered pension estimators, intelligent financial advisors offering personalised guidance, fraud detection tools for older adults, apps for family financial coordination and shared expense management, savings and micro-investment applications tailored to aging populations, and digital reverse mortgage solutions.
  • Well-being, Connection, and Continuous Learning: Solutions such as educational platforms which enhance digital skills for older generations, AI-powered platforms or games for age-adapted cognitive entertaiment, community apps that connect older adults with volunteers or peers for companionship and support, immersive therapies which stimulate memory, and accessible learning platforms with personalised content.

Candidate companies must be incorporated in one of the countries participating in the programme (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay).

In the case of a start-up, you must fulfil at least one of the following criteria: annual income not exceeding $300,000, capital raised between $100,000 and $1 million, or between 2 and 25 full-time employees.

In the case of a scaleup, you must fulfil at least one of the following criteria: annual income greater than $300,000, capital raised greater than $1 million or more than 25 full-time employees.

Yes, you need to register on the platform to apply for the Global Challenge.

To register, click on the ‘Apply now’ button and you will be registered in Santander X. Remember to complete the registration between DATE and DATE. Send your application by filling in the requested fields about your company.

You can apply without any problem. A group of experts who evaluate the applications will decide whether or not your application applies to the theme of the Challenge.

If your company is selected as one of the finalists, the Global Challenge organising team will contact you to invite you to participate in the online semi-final, which will be run as a ‘pitch session’.
 

In this session, you will present your company to a group of experts, who will then validate and decide on the winners of the Challenge. 

The pitch presentation needs to be prepared and delivered in English.

When receiving a monetary prize, we request that it is deposited in a Banco Santander account. If you do not have an account, we will help you to open one as efficiently as possible.