Winner of the John Hopper Leadership Award...Bruce Elliott | Memory Lane Games
Bruce Elliott is the Co-Founder and CEO of Memory Lane Games, where he is pioneering the use of simple, personalized games to support reminiscence, connection, and cognitive well-being for people living with dementia. Drawing on decades of experience in technology and user engagement, he has shaped a platform that resonates with families and clinicians across the globe. “It's a tremendous honor to receive this award. We believe deeply in the power of stories to connect people—especially those navigating the challenges of dementia. This recognition affirms our mission to deliver joyful, person-centered care through technology that's accessible, respectful, and rooted in empathy.”– Bruce Elliott Connect with Bruce here 2025 Finalists...
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Advancing Innovation in Aging
The John Hopper Impact Award recognizes exceptional entrepreneurs who have introduced transformative solutions to improve the lives of older adults. Inspired by John’s legacy as a pioneer in age-tech investing, we seek founders who combine operational grit with a deep commitment to the people they serve. This award isn't just a recognition of past success — it is a platform designed to accelerate the next generation of visionary leaders in the aging landscape.
2026 Innovation Spotlight: Empowered Care
This year, the award focuses on Empowered Care, targeting solutions that strengthen independence, dignity, and agency for older adults while providing essential support to their entire care team. As the aging landscape shifts toward more personalized, proactive models, we are looking for innovations that empower the individual rather than just managing a condition. Our 2026 search prioritizes tools that:
- Support All Care Settings: Solutions assisting both family and professional caregivers, whether in a private home or a clinical environment.
- Enhance Autonomy: Technologies that help older adults maintain self-determination and stay in control of their day-to-day wellbeing.
- Scale the “Human” Element: Resources that streamline caregiving workflows and reduce burden without losing the personal connection.
Now Accepting Nominations
The 2026 award cycle is officially open. We have streamlined our process to welcome both self-applications and peer nominations:
- Nominate a Peer: If you know a visionary founder, identifying them takes less than 60 seconds—we will handle the follow-up.
- Apply for Your Company: Share your impact and data to join our network of innovation alumni.
Applications are accepted through April 17, 2026!
RECOGNITION
WHAT’S NEXT LONGEVITY VENTURE SUMMIT INVITE
Finalists of the John Hopper Leadership Award will be invited* to the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit on June 16-18, 2026 in San Francisco, California, where the Award Recipient will be announced prior to a reception honoring John. The What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit is the first, and one of the most significant, gathering of venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives focused on the longevity economy.
* Invitation to conference includes complimentary registration and a travel stipend
ONE-YEAR ADVISOR PARTNERSHIP
The recipient of the award will receive a one-year Advisor partnership with an Award Advisor of the Recipient’s choosing. Biographies for each of the members in the Advisor Pool found here. The 2026 Advisor Pool includes a robust list of highly experienced individuals including senior living provider leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and venture specialists. Advisory relationship subject to terms outlined in the Advisory Agreement.
ACCESS TO INVITATION-ONLY EVENTS
The winner of the Award will receive an invitation to the Ziegler Link•age Symposium in Chicago in July 2026. The Ziegler Link•age Symposium is an investor-exclusive and invitation-only event that brings together over 100 industry leaders and innovators to discuss the future of technology and its potential to revolutionize the aging and post-acute fields. The Recipient will have an opportunity for a brief speaking engagement at the Symposium.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The John Hopper Impact Award welcomes both Peer Nominations and Self-Applications. We have streamlined our submission process to be as efficient as possible:
- Peer Nominations: Simply provide the nominee’s basic contact information and a brief summary of their impact . Our team will then reach out to the nominee to invite them to provide the deeper technical data required for final selection.
- Self-Applications: Founders are invited to complete our condensed application to provide the Selection Committee with the necessary data to evaluate their solution’s impact and scalability.
Defining Empowered Care: Evaluation Criteria
The Selection Committee reviews all nominations against the following required criteria:
- Innovative Solution: The nominee must have a unique solution that improves the lives of older adults through the lens of Empowered Care.
- Measurable Impact to Relative to the Award Theme: The nominee must demonstrate a clear, quantifiable impact on independence, dignity, and agency. This includes:
- Autonomy & Support: Evidence of improved functional independence for older adults or increased agency in care decisions.
- Caregiver Capacity: Data showing reduced burden or improved efficiency for family and professional caregivers across all care settings.
- Quality of Life: Data showing increased engagement, social interaction, or emotional well-being for individuals and their care teams.
- Financial Viability and Sustainability: Winners must be financially viable with a clear, demonstrated pathway to scale their impact across the broader healthcare and aging ecosystem.
Guidelines and Eligibility
Eligible candidates must:
- Be an active entrepreneur within the aging and healthcare industry.
- Have made a significant, demonstrable contribution to this year’s theme of Empowered Care.
- Have at least two signed customers.
- Ideally have at least $100,000 in annually recurring revenue (ARR) with strong growth potential.
Note: Candidates may not currently be a member of the Ziegler Link-age team, affiliated with Ziegler Link-age Fund portfolio companies, or the Selection Committee.
ABOUT JOHN HOPPER
John Hopper was someone who always strived for greatness, who achieved nearly all of his life goals, and who lived life with purpose. Born in a tiny town in Ohio as the youngest of four, he learned the value of an All-American work ethic from his parents and from the western Pennsylvania steel mills that set him to work as a teenager. He would never brag about his “humble beginnings,” but he carried a quiet yet palpable pride about the way his life turned out. He was naturally bright and driven, putting himself through college, then an MBA, then a JD, and subsequently achieving success in corporate, legal, business, and entrepreneurial settings. He was someone who used his natural intellect to great effect: when he wanted something, he put one foot in front of the other and walked purposefully towards it. This focus and determination helped John Hopper achieve success in all of his endeavors from stock broker, to legal counsel, and from tech CEO, to investment banker, and venture capitalist.
John Hopper was a founding member and the Chief Investment Officer of the Ziegler Link-age Funds where he leveraged his tenacity and creativity to help craft an investment policy designed to support innovation, collaboration, and growth among entrepreneurs, and senior living and healthcare providers. As one the first fund focused on raising venture capital from senior living and care providers to invest in companies innovating in the space, John Hopper’s vision, network and ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible way, was instrumental in its success.
John Hopper’s attitude of intentionality and purpose served him well in life, and allowed him to raise a family, enjoy his passions, and build and live the exact life he wanted. He loved learning new things and was constantly looking ahead to the next big opportunity — his dreams were limitless.
PRIOR-YEAR RECIPIENTS
Winner of the John Hopper Leadership Award...Jimmy Zollo | Joe & Bella
Jimmy is the co-founder and CEO of Joe Bella, an adaptive-apparel startup that’s revolutionizing the industry. Joe & Bella’s mission is to create the world’s finest adaptive apparel, ensuring everyone can wear the style and quality of clothing they love, regardless of any physical or cognitive changes. “I’m humbled by being honored with this recognition and inspired by John Hopper’s legacy. We have an opportunity to improve the lives of so many older adults and those who care for them and that’s what motivates our team every day.”– Jimmy Zollo Connect with Jimmy here 2024 Finalists...
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Winner of the John Hopper Leadership Award...Virginie Rafael | FullCircle
Virgnie Raphael is the founder of FullCircle, a perpetual pre-seed fund investing in a better workforce with much greater economic potential where fulfilled individuals gain pride and agency over their work. “I was deeply proud and touched to receive the inaugural John Hopper Leadership Award. John was such a dedicated, thoughtful and effective mentor to so many entrepreneurs. Following John’s leadership, I am inspired to continue supporting the entrepreneurs I back with the same authenticity, enthusiasm, transparency, dedication and kindness.”– Virginie Raphael Connect with Virginie here 2023 Finalists...
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