Posted: 10 December 2024
Breakthrough Victoria is investing $2 million in Umps Health, a Victorian company developing sensors and AI to enable proactive aged care at home.
The Umps Link, a smart home platform, is the product of six years of research and development. Since launching the platform in 2023, the company has grown to support thousands of households across Australia.
The technology is easily installed in the homes of older adults and uses data collected from proprietary wearables, sensors and AI to generate real-time insights about declines in health and wellbeing. If required, the Umps Link connects users directly to a 24/7 emergency response centre or family caregivers, providing earlier and proactive support at home.
By 2030, there is predicted to be a shortage of more than 100,000 aged care workers in Australia*. The company aims to alleviate this shortage in the face of increased demand for care by augmenting existing aged care workers with technology.
Designed in collaboration with Victoria’s largest aged care providers, Umps’ products are already offered across Australia under the Home Care Package Program, Commonwealth Home Support Program and NDIS – programs that support more than 1.5 million Australians.
Breakthrough Victoria has invested alongside Intervalley Ventures, with strong follow-on support from shareholders including existing investors Sprint Ventures, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the 5Point Foundation and Agnes Health.
Breakthrough Victoria’s investment in Umps will accelerate ongoing research, development and commercialisation of the technology, creating up to 40 jobs over the next two years.
*Based on a report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA).
