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Figure b: Stages and Stakeholders of the Gerontechnology Ecosystem

Collaboration Between
Innovative Stakeholders Gap 21-24
Entrepreneurs
Government Angel Investors
Gap 1-4 &
Venture
Capital Firms

Applied Research Prototype Enhancement Market
Stage Stage Stage Stage
Gap 5-7 Gap 8-11 Gap 12-14 Gap 15-20 Non-
Research
Institutions Governmental
Organisations

Universities Foreign Product
Distributors
Incubators
& Large Business
Accelerators

8. The gerontechnology ecosystem in Hong Kong, as illustrated by the
above diagram, can be divided into four main product development
stages: 1) Applied Research Stage; 2) Prototype Stage; 3) Enhancement
Stage; and 4) Gerontechnology Market from both the product developer’s
and consumer’s perspective.

i. The gerontechnology business process begins with stage 1, where
universities and research institutions carry out applied research. The
applied research being carried out may inspire an idea for a product
or a service. (Gaps 5-7)
ii. Stage 2 is the prototyping stage, where applied research is transformed
into an early-stage model for a commercial product or service by
innovative entrepreneurs. (Gaps 8-11)
iii. Stage 3, the enhancement stage, is where product designs are
enhanced and refined to suit the target consumer market. (Gaps 12-14)
iiii. Stage 4 is the final stage, where products and services enter the
gerontechnology market. (Gaps 15-20)

In this report, a total of 24 gaps and difficulties, involving different
stakeholders across various stages of the ecosystem have been
identified. These are grouped into six main categories: the four product
development stages as mentioned above, the government (Gaps 1-4)
and collaboration between stakeholders (Gaps 21-24).

Executive Summary 7