Washington, D.C. — As part of AARP’s efforts to stimulate innovations that serve the needs and wants of Americans age 50+, the Association announced today the continuation of the Innovation@50+ scholarship program that will give three promising entrepreneurs the time and attention of leading venture capitalists and members of the media, to help turn their visions into reality.

AARP’s “Innovation@50+” scholarship program is part of a continuing collaboration with DEMO – the Launchpad for Emerging Technology. AARP will sponsor scholarships for three entrepreneurs who are focused on new solutions that help Americans age 50+, or who are themselves 50 or older. The scholarships will finance their participation at the DEMO Spring 2012 conference, where entrepreneurs looking to launch their start-ups will directly pitch their ideas to over 200 venture capitalists and members of the media.

“After the attention and interest generated from our initial scholarships at the DEMO Fall 2011 conference, we asked ourselves, ‘what else can we do to shine a spotlight on innovation to address the needs and wants of people over 50?’ Working with the DEMO team we decided to not only continue the Innovation@50+ scholarship program, but to increase the opportunity for an additional startup,” said Jody Holtzman, AARP Senior Vice President of Thought Leadership.

“In addition, we are proud to be a part of the 2012 DEMO Innovation tour, tackling the challenge of addressing the needs and wants of the 50+ population as well the market opportunity directly to entrepreneurs where they work.”

AARP has collaborated with DEMO to bring the Tour to Boulder, Col., Feb. 8 and Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 9. To learn more about the Tour visit www.demo.com.

The DEMO Spring 2012 conference will be held April 17-19 in Silicon Valley, Calif., and is currently accepting applications. Applicants chosen for the event will have access to leading start-up financiers and media, including a six-minute presentation to the entire conference. AARP’s scholarships will cover the $18,500 participation fee for up to three entrepreneurs to attend DEMO that fit within the parameters of AARP’s guiding mission of enhancing the quality of life for all as we age and by leading positive social change.

“This is about inspiring innovation for the 50+ community,” said Holtzman. “We’re excited to continue to work with DEMO, which consistently showcases entrepreneurs that develop products that are on the cutting edge of innovation and attract investors.”

To be eligible to launch on the DEMO stage, proposed products must solve a commercial problem; make an impact or change the marketplace into which it is introduced or create a new market; have a business plan and a management team capable of delivering the product to market; and make its public debut at the DEMO conference in September.

Eligibility for a DEMO-AARP Innovation@50+ scholarship requires that the applying company must either be managed by an individual (CEO and/or President) age 50 or older, or propose a product or service that is focused on serving the wants and/or needs of people over the age of 50. Applying companies cannot have any policies that conflict with AARP policies available here: http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/policies/. DEMO will determine the initial eligibility and work in conjunction with AARP to select the companies that best represent the mission and goals of AARP.

All applications must be received by March 15.

More information on DEMO is available online at http://www.demo.com/a/d/DEMOs11_WhatIs.pdf.

Application forms are available online at: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=30483&

To learn more about AARP’s Innovation @50+ initiative go to www.aarp.org/innovation50plus.