On June 15th, 2026, in Valencia, Spain, Savia Residencias launched Savia Innova 2026, the latest edition of its open innovation programme designed to identify and support solutions that improve the quality of life, independence and well-being of older adults, particularly in residential care environments. Now in its third year, the initiative continues to expand through collaboration with ‘The Terminal Hub’ and technology partner ISECO by Sensio. These partnerships aim to strengthen connections between Savia and a broad network of startups, researchers, universities and healthcare professionals developing solutions for the future of elderly care. Within Valencia’s innovation ecosystem, The Terminal Hub plays a central role by advancing collaboration between companies, academic institutions and public organizations, helping transform ideas into practical applications. It regularly brings together researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to address pressing societal challenges. Recent initiatives have included participation from leading international institutions such as Harvard and Cambridge, reinforcing Valencia’s position as a hub for knowledge exchange and talent development.

According to Alfredo Sanmartín, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Savia’s Innovation Committee, innovation remains a central part of the company’s long-term strategy. He said, “Innovation is one of Savia’s strategic axes and we want to continue to be close to talent, entrepreneurship and research with the aim of continuing to improve our healthcare model and offer better tools to our professionals.” His remarks underline Savia’s commitment to embedding innovation into daily care practices while strengthening support for healthcare teams.

The programme is structured around two main pillars. Savia Emprende is aimed at startups, entrepreneurs and spin-offs developing innovative solutions for the social and healthcare sectors. Savia Investiga focuses on completed research projects, including doctoral theses, postdoctoral work and studies exploring aging, person-centered care, artificial intelligence, digital health tools and emerging care models.

Applications for participation in Savia Innova 2026 opened today and will remain open until October 15. Participants can submit proposals through the Savia website. Selected projects will be announced at the end of October, with awards presented during the annual SaviAvanza forum later in the year.

This year’s edition also introduces SAVIAINNTALENT, an internal hackathon bringing together professionals from Savia’s 22 residential centres and across departments. The initiative aims to harness frontline experience by encouraging staff to contribute ideas based on their daily work with residents. The hackathon will take place on June 26 and 27 at The Terminal Hub, reinforcing its role as a space for collaboration and applied innovation.

Savia Residencias operates 22 centres across the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante, providing more than 2,600 residential places and employing over 1,500 professionals. As the leading operator in the Valencian Community, the company accounts for approximately 10 percent of the region’s residential care capacity. It also ranks among the 12 largest elderly care groups in Spain. The launch of Savia Innova 2026 builds on this scale and responds to the growing need for practical, scalable solutions in elderly care. The program brings together research, entrepreneurship and frontline expertise to help shape how care is delivered in the years ahead. Stakeholders across healthcare, technology and research are encouraged to participate and contribute to solutions that can make a measurable difference in the lives of older adults.

Report by Lilly Salvador

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’