Our Time on the Launchpad
When we began DentaBlue, we had a meaningful idea but very little understanding of how to turn that idea into something real.. Being accepted onto the Alzheimer’s Society Launchpad programme in 2025 became the turning point — the moment our concept started to take shape.
Four Months of Intensive Support
The Launchpad programme gave us four months of structured, practical, and honest support. As complete newcomers to the business world, this was invaluable. We were guided through the fundamentals of building a product and a business: understanding user needs, defining our value, shaping our messaging, and beginning to think about sustainability and impact.
Weekly sessions, expert-led masterclasses, and in-person workshops pushed us to grow quickly. They challenged us, made us think differently, and helped us turn confusion into clarity. Launchpad didn’t just give us information — it gave us momentum.
Why DentaBlue Matters
Throughout the programme, one message became clearer and clearer: conventional methods of oral care aren’t always possible for everyone. For people living with dementia, routines can become difficult to manage, toothbrushes may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable, and carers often face challenges balancing support with dignity and independence.
This understanding reinforced why DentaBlue needed to exist — and why it needed to be shaped directly by the people it was created to help.
Coproduction at the Centre
A cornerstone of Launchpad was learning how to embed coproduction into our entire development process. We involved people living with dementia, carers, and professionals from the very beginning. Instead of assuming we knew what would work, we listened, tested, adapted, and tested again.
Their feedback shaped every decision. They helped us validate our assumptions, refine the design, and ensure DentaBlue offered a gentle, simplified alternative that could fit into a range of abilities and daily realities.
From Idea to Prototype
Perhaps the clearest reflection of our time on Launchpad is that we entered with only an idea and left with a prototype. The programme gave us the confidence, support, and structure to move from concept to something physically testable — something people could hold, try, and respond to.
A Platform That Changed Our Direction
Our time on the Launchpad didn’t just accelerate DentaBlue — it shaped our entire approach. It taught us how to build with intention, how to listen openly, and how to create a product that genuinely reflects the needs of the dementia community.
The journey is continuing, but the foundations laid during those four months will guide us every step of the way.