Academic Focus: The Live Well Collaborative

The Live Well Collaborative at the University of Cincinnati is an academic-industry innovation incubator for regionally, nationally and internationally prominent firms.  The focus of LWC is the aging population.  Firms partner with UC to address product or service needs for the 50+ market. The UC students and faculty conduct research and develop ideas incorporating expertise from fields including design, business, engineering, medicine and anthropology.

From the Live Well website:

The Live Well Collaborative is an invaluable resource of up-to-date, ever-growing information about the 50+ market. As a member of the LWC, your organization will have access to unique research and consumer insights on the Baby Boomer population. We work with industry leaders, experts in the fields of design, engineering, marketing, nursing, and medicine, and utilize a host of young creative talent. LWC is perfecting this new model, harnessing the vast potential of interdisciplinary problem solving and innovation.
Working with the University of Cincinnati (UC), a major research university, the Live Well Collaborative taps the talent of the top-ranked College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, College of Business, College of Medicine and Nursing and College of Engineering, each with a long track-record of successful industry-sponsored research and studio projects.
The Live Well Collaborative presents innovation and problem-solving workshops to meet the needs of industry partners as well as interested organizations. The LWC also provides yearly collaborative events focused on the 50+ consumer.

LWC uses a structured innovation and design process.  The process begins with the sponsoring company identifying an opportunity to be explored. This could be a product or a service solution. Next, the interdisciplinary faculty and staff team is created. During the 10-12 week studio project, the sponsoring company provides background information and reviews progress. Based on qualitative research, consumer insights, and company feedback, the teams then design innovative products or services which can include prototypes, technology solutions, and business models.

Craig Vogel, President of LWC and Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the College of Design Architecture Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati said that the over-50 consumer of today wants to continue their current quality of life as they age.  “Younger consumers look for the latest technology breakthrough while 50 plus consumers look for comprehensive innovation. A new product for over-50 consumers must be technologically advanced but also easy to adopt into and support the needs of aging consumers’ diverse and active lifestyles.”

To get your company involved with the Live Well Collaborative, contact info@livewellcollaborative.org.