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After witnessing his patients fall victims to financial scams, Dr Dexter Penn (Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Dementia Research Centre) founded Kalgera. The award-winning platform protects the finances of vulnerable adults.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Faculty of Brain Sciences is a world leader in dementia research and education. We are proud of our patient-centred support for those with dementia and their families. Dexter saw how his patients’ money worries impacted on their health and was compelled to take action.

Financial fraud is a huge problem. In the UK, five million older people are scammed every year, losing a total of £1.2 billion. Kalgera, which means ‘good old age’ in Greek, uses neuroscience and machine learning to pinpoint suspicious activity on a bank account. The app then alerts carers, family or friends.  

Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Innovation & Enterprise helped Dr Penn develop his idea, and he joined The Hatchery, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøվ’s startup incubator. Kalgera has since been recognised as one of Tech Nation’s ‘Top New Financial Inclusion Startups’ and one of Centrica’s ‘Top 20 Global Ageing Startups’. The business has secured £100,000 from Nesta Challenges and Open Banking Limited as well as over £300,000 additional investment. Dr Penn has advised on public policy at 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office.

Read the Kalgera Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ case study