Manulife and UpLink announce winners of the ‘Shaping Canada’s Longevity Advantage’ Challenge

Ten innovators selected for solutions that help Canadians live longer, healthier, more financially secure lives

Manulife also launched a new approach to rewards, rooted in health, wealth and longevity, with new Visa Infinite® and Visa Platinum® cards

Toronto, ON (Oct. 13, 2026) – Manulife, in collaboration with UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s early-stage innovation initiative, is pleased to announce the winners of the ‘Shaping Canada’s Longevity Advantage Challenge,’ the third and final challenge in a multi-year partnership focused on advancing longevity innovation. Open to innovators from Canada and around the world, the challenge sought practical, near-term solutions that can improve health, financial resilience and social connectedness for Canadians while fostering purpose and opportunity across generations.

As Canadians live longerⁱ and more multi-stage lives, new solutions are needed to help people thrive across those additional years through better health, stronger financial resilience, meaningful social connection and a greater sense of purpose. The winning cohort showcases innovative approaches to helping Canadians navigate longer lives while supporting caregivers, families and communities.

The 10 winners of the ‘Shaping Canada’s Longevity Advantage Challenge’ are:

• Amical (Quebec City, QC), which delivers an AI-powered companion through a familiar telephone interface to support older adults and people living with cognitive disorders.
• Childfree Trust (Mount Juliet, TN, USA), which provides estate planning, fiduciary and emergency response services designed for childfree individuals and solo agers.
• Clay Financial (Toronto, ON), which enables older Canadians to unlock home equity through Home Equity Sharing Agreements without taking on debt or monthly payments.
• Cosm Medical (Toronto, ON), which uses AI, software and 3D printing to create personalized pelvic health devices that help people maintain active and independent lives.
• Idem (Montreal, QC), which develops connected cognitive aids that support independence and care coordination for people living with dementia.
• LINK Plans (Calgary, AB), which helps expand access to workplace retirement savings plans through financial institutions and payroll providers.
• MIMOSA Diagnostics (Toronto, ON), which uses portable imaging technology to detect pressure injuries before visible skin breakdown occurs.
• Myant Health (Mississauga, ON), which transforms everyday clothing into continuous health monitoring tools through smart textile technology.
• Pontosense (Toronto, ON), which uses AI-powered wireless sensing technology to detect falls, monitor vital signs and support independent living without cameras or wearables.
• PragmaClin (St. John’s, NL), which has developed an AI-powered neurological assessment platform for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

“Living longer is one of the greatest opportunities of our time, but it also challenges us to think differently about health and financial wellbeing,” said Patrick Graham, President & CEO, Manulife Canada. “The innovators recognized through this challenge are tackling some of the biggest questions that come with living longer: how we stay healthier for longer and how we build greater financial resilience. These are big challenges, and we need bold ideas to take them on.”

Nearly 40 per cent of Canadians are already over the age of 50ⁱⁱ, while many are balancing their own health and financial goals alongside caregiving responsibilities for aging parents and loved ones. At the same time, insights from the National Institute on Ageing‘s Ageing in Canada Survey, conducted by the NIA with support from Manulife, shows 43 per cent of older Canadians are at high risk of social isolation and only 29 per cent feel they can afford to retire, highlighting the need for innovative solutions that improve health, financial resilience and social connection. The challenge focused on three key areas: helping people plan for and navigate longer lives, supporting prevention and care coordination, and strengthening belonging and intergenerational connection.

“Longevity is reshaping how people work, save, care for others, and prepare for retirement,” said Paul Lorentz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management. “Canada has an opportunity to lead by advancing solutions that help people remain healthy, connected, and financially resilient throughout longer lives. This winning cohort demonstrates how innovation can turn that opportunity into meaningful action for individuals, families and communities.”

The winning ventures will gain access to UpLink’s global innovation ecosystem, connecting them with corporates, investors, policymakers and other partners that can help accelerate their growth and scale their impact.

“Through the World Economic Forum’s UpLink and Global Longevity Innovation Initiative, we are proud to partner with Manulife to source and scale early-stage ventures that empower people to lead healthier, more financially resilient and fulfilling lives,” said John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum. “With Manulife’s support, this new cohort builds on the progress of previous editions and highlights how breakthrough solutions can help drive transformation across Canada’s health, financial and care systems, strengthening people’s ability to plan for and navigate longer lives.”

The Shaping Canada’s Longevity Advantage Challenge builds on Manulife’s multi-year partnership with UpLink, announced at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in 2024. The partnership is designed to help identify and scale innovations that support healthier, more financially resilient and fulfilling lives as global populations age. This challenge follows the successful ‘Prospering in Longevity Challenge‘ in 2024 and ‘Innovating for Asia’s Demographic’ Future Challenge in 2025.

This initiative underscores the efforts of the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that is driving action to help people thrive at every age.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC, SEHK: 945) is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.manulife.com.

About Manulife Longevity Institute

The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife’s Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. For more information, visit www.manulife.com/longevity.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation

Manulife Bank Introduces a New Approach to Rewards, Rooted in Health, Wealth and Longevity

New Visa Infinite® and Visa Platinum® cards bring Manulife Better Rewards™ to everyday spending

Toronto, ON (Oct. 22, 2026) – Manulife Bank has launched the Manulife Bank Visa Infinite* and Manulife Bank Visa Platinum* cards with Manulife Better Rewards™, a new credit card offering that rewards the everyday spending Canadians make to support their health, wealth and longevity.

Enabled by Visa, a global leader in digital payments, the new cards help Canadians earn more rewards on the purchases that are already part of their lives – from health and wellness to travel, dining and entertainment. Whether it’s a monthly gym membership, tickets to a favourite concert or dinner with friends and family, cardholders can turn everyday spending into meaningful value.

This launch expands the banking solutions available through Manulife Bank’s advisor network. Through more than 23,000 financial professionals across Canada, Manulife Bank helps Canadians access everyday banking products alongside the financial advice that supports their long-term goals. The addition of these new credit cards gives advisors another way to complement the financial advice they provide–bringing everyday banking and long-term financial planning together.

“Canadians are increasingly investing in their health, wellness and the experiences that enrich their lives – from staying active and taking care of their well-being to travelling and spending time with family and friends,” said Tom Oddie, Vice President, Head of Retail Products, Manulife Bank. “We set out to create a card that rewards those investments. Through Manulife Better Rewards™, cardholders can turn spending that supports their well-being and the experiences that matter most into meaningful value, with a rewards experience designed around how they live. And for our advisors, it’s another way to help clients bring their everyday spending and long-term goals together.”

Powered by Manulife Better Rewards™, both Visa cards offer enhanced rewards on eligible health and wellness purchases. The program reflects Manulife’s belief that financial well-being is connected to broader life goals and rewards Canadians for the everyday spending that support their health, wealth and longevity.

Rewards Built Around Everyday Spending

Cardholders can choose between two offerings designed to meet different financial needs and spending habits.

Manulife Bank Visa Infinite

• Earn 2% rewards on eligible health and wellness purchases^[1]
• Earn 1.5% rewards on travel, dining and entertainment^[1]
• Earn 1% rewards on everyday purchases^[1]
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage^[2]
• Access to Visa Infinite benefits and experiences

Manulife Bank Visa Platinum

• No annual fee
• Earn 1.5% rewards on eligible health and wellness purchases^[3]
• Earn 1% rewards on travel, dining and entertainment^[3]
• Earn 0.5% rewards on everyday purchases^[3]
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

The Manulife Bank Visa Infinite and Manulife Bank Visa Platinum cards are available through Manulife Bank’s network of advisors and mortgage professionals, as well as through digital banking channels. Eligible new Manulife Bank Visa Infinite cardholders can also take advantage of a limited-time welcome offer featuring 10% rewards on eligible purchases for the first three months, a first-year annual fee waiver for the primary card holder and an introductory balance transfer rate – helping them unlock meaningful value from their everyday spending from day one.

Terms and conditions apply. To learn more about Manulife Bank credit cards, including eligibility, rewards and benefits, visit ManulifeBank.ca.

About Manulife Bank

Manulife Bank, established in 1993, was the first federally regulated bank opened by an insurance company in Canada. Manulife Bank delivers banking solutions designed to make financial decisions easier and unlock greater possibilities for better financial outcomes. Through its partnerships with independent financial advisors and mortgage brokers across Canada, the Bank helps Canadians achieve their broader financial goals.

Manulife Bank is a Schedule I federally chartered bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, and part of the Manulife Financial Corporation group. A member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), the Bank offers a full range of banking, lending and credit solutions, including everyday banking, high-interest deposit accounts, customizable mortgage solutions, specialized lending, and credit cards. For more information, visit ManulifeBank.ca.

Notes

1. Cardholders will earn 2% rewards on the first $25,000 they spend in each calendar year at merchants classified by Visa Inc. and determined by Manulife Bank to be in the Health, Wellness and Medical category. Cardholders will earn 1.5% rewards on the first $25,000 they spend in each calendar year at merchants classified by Visa Inc. and determined by Manulife Bank to be in the Travel, Dining and Entertainment categories. All other purchases earn 1% rewards. The $25,000 annual spending limits will reset to zero on January 1st of each year. Terms, conditions and eligible merchant/merchant categories may change without notice. Rewards are earned on card purchases less returns and not on cash advances, interest, fees, service/transaction charges, balance transfers and payments.

2. Insurance is subject to exclusions, limitations, and conditions. Clients should refer to the Certificates of Insurance included with their Cardholder Agreement for complete details on each benefit. Clients should read the Certificates of Insurance then keep the Cardholder Agreement in a safe place with other valuable documents and take it with them when they travel. Insurance is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife. Manulife, PO Box 670, Stn Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2J 4B8.

3. Cardholders will earn 1.50% rewards on the first $15,000 they spend in each calendar year at merchants classified by Visa Inc. and determined by Manulife Bank to be in the Health, Wellness and Medical category. Cardholders will earn 1.00% rewards on the first $15,000 they spend in each calendar year at merchants classified by Visa Inc. and determined by Manulife Bank to be in the Travel, Dining and Entertainment categories. All other purchases earn 0.50% rewards. The $15,000 annual spending limits will reset to zero on January 1st of each year. Terms, conditions and eligible merchant/merchant categories may change without notice. Rewards are earned on card purchases less returns.

Manulife, Manulife Bank, Stylized M Design, Manulife Bank & Stylized M Design and Manulife Better Rewards are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by Manulife Bank of Canada under license.

* Trademark of Visa Int., used under license.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation

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