Manulife and the World Economic Forum's UpLink Initiative Launch Canadian Longevity Innovation Challenge

Rhea-AI Summary

Manulife (NYSE:MFC), in partnership with UpLink and the World Economic Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems, launched the Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage innovation challenge on April 22, 2026.

The initiative seeks practical solutions for financial resilience, healthy aging, and social connection to help Canadians live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

News Market Reaction – MFC

+0.21%

+0.21% Session close to close

In the Apr 22 session, MFC gained 0.21%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement expands MFC’s longevity agenda through a Canadian innovation challenge targeting h...

Analysis

This announcement expands MFC’s longevity agenda through a Canadian innovation challenge targeting health, financial resilience and social connection, in partnership with the World Economic Forum’s UpLink initiative. It builds on earlier longevity tools and thought-leadership events highlighted in recent news. While strategically aligned with demographic trends, investors may still weigh it alongside core earnings, capital deployment actions, and MFC’s trading near its 52-week high and above its 200-day MA.

Key Figures

Older Canadians at high risk of social isolation: 43% Older Canadians who feel they can afford to retire: 29%

2 metrics

Older Canadians at high risk of social isolation 43% National Institute on Ageing's Ageing in Canada Survey

Older Canadians who feel they can afford to retire 29% National Institute on Ageing's Ageing in Canada Survey

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 14 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Apr 14	Longevity tool launch	Positive	+1.5%	Launch of personalized Longevity Preparedness assessment tool with MIT AgeLab.
Apr 13	Longevity symposium	Positive	+2.1%	Third Longer. Healthier. Better. Symposium and new Vitality cardiac offerings.
Mar 27	Annual report, circular	Neutral	-2.4%	Release of 2026 Management Information Circular and 2025 Annual Report.
Mar 18	Conference participation	Neutral	-0.7%	CFO fireside chat announcement at National Bank Financial conference.
Mar 10	AI platform partnership	Positive	+1.1%	Selection of Akka to operationalize agentic AI enterprise platform.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent news on longevity initiatives and AI/value creation has often coincided with modest positive price moves, while routine corporate/meeting updates have sometimes seen negative reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last six weeks, MFC has released multiple updates tied to longevity, innovation and capital management. On Mar 10, it highlighted an AI partnership expected to generate $1 billion+ in enterprise value by 2027, and subsequent longevity-focused initiatives on Apr 13 and Apr 14 saw positive price reactions. More routine items, such as the annual report/circular on Mar 27 and a conference appearance on Mar 18, aligned with small declines. Today’s Canadian longevity challenge extends this innovation and longevity theme.

Key Terms

ai-enabled financial planning solutions, preventative health, chronic illness

3 terms

ai-enabled financial planning solutions technical

"AI-enabled financial planning solutions, modern retirement and care planning platforms"

Software that uses artificial intelligence to analyze a person’s financial information, goals and market data to create and adjust tailored budgets, investment plans and retirement projections. It matters to investors because it can lower advisory costs, scale personalized advice like a GPS guiding financial decisions, and change how firms win clients — while introducing model accuracy and data‑privacy risks that can affect performance and trust.

preventative health medical

"preventative health and wellness innovations that help delay or manage chronic illness"

Preventative health covers services and actions—like screenings, vaccinations, wellness programs and early monitoring—designed to stop disease or catch it early rather than treating late-stage illness. It matters to investors because spending shifts from one-time acute treatments to ongoing care, creating steadier revenue, changing cost structures for insurers and providers, and driving demand for consumer health tools and diagnostics; think of it as routine maintenance that reduces costly repairs later.

chronic illness medical

"preventative health and wellness innovations that help delay or manage chronic illness"

A chronic illness is a long-term medical condition that persists or recurs over months or years and usually requires ongoing treatment, monitoring, or lifestyle changes; think of it like a household appliance that needs regular maintenance rather than a one-time repair. For investors it matters because chronic illnesses create sustained demand for drugs, devices and care services, influence overall healthcare spending and workforce productivity, and shape long-term revenue and regulatory risk for companies in the health sector.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage' challenge will invite innovators to deliver solutions that strengthen health, financial resilience and social connection across longer lives

The challenge is an initiative of Manulife's Longevity Institute, driving Canadian solutions for a longer‑living society

TORONTO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife, in partnership with UpLink, the World Economic Forum's early-stage innovation initiative, and the Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems today announced the launch of a new innovation challenge, 'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage,' focused on enabling lifelong health, wealth and purpose across multistage lives.

Canadians are living longer, more complex lives, often balancing their own health and financial needs while supporting ageing parents or caregiving for others. Insights from the National Institute on Ageing's Ageing in Canada Survey, conducted by the NIA with support from Manulife, highlight the urgency of this challenge: 43 per cent of older Canadians are at high risk of social isolation, while only 29 per cent feel they can afford to retire. These realities underscore the need for practical, near-term solutions that help people live not just longer, but better, supported by stronger financial resilience, meaningful connections, and confidence across life stages. The 'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage' challenge invites innovators to deliver integrated solutions that create measurable improvements in critical areas impacting longevity in Canada.

The challenge will focus on innovations across three opportunity areas:

• Financial resilience across life stages, including budgeting and saving tools designed for longer lifespans, AI-enabled financial planning solutions, modern retirement and care planning platforms, and financing solutions that support caregivers balancing work, family and care responsibilities.
• Healthy aging for all, including digitally enabled health navigation solutions, preventative health and wellness innovations that help delay or manage chronic illness, and tools and platforms that directly support caregivers in coordinating care and maintaining their own wellbeing.
• Purpose and connection, including digital, physical and nature-based spaces that foster social engagement, AI-supported platforms that reduce isolation, and intergenerational initiatives that strengthen community ties, belonging and shared purpose.

Through this Canada-focused challenge, Manulife, UpLink and the Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems aim to surface and support solutions that respond to the realities of longer lives, helping individuals build resilience, stay connected, and maintain a sense of purpose at every stage.

This initiative is aligned to the Manulife Longevity Institute, a recently launched global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people thrive at every age.

A call to strengthen Canada's approach to longevity

"Living longer should also mean living healthier—and Canadians need the right support to make that possible. As lifespans increase, people need help navigating care, preventing illness, and managing chronic conditions. Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage reflects our commitment to giving Canadians the tools and confidence they need to live healthier lives at every stage."

-     Naveed Irshad, President and CEO, Manulife Canada

"As Canadians live longer, financial planning is no longer about a single life stage, but a multi-decade journey with growing complexity. Financial resilience is becoming central to healthy longevity. Investing in innovators developing AI-enabled modern savings and planning tools, and caregiver support reinforces our commitment to offering advisors and plan sponsors the resources they need to help individuals secure their financial futures and live longer lives with confidence." 

-     Paul Lorentz, President and CEO, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

"The longevity economy is emerging as a defining force shaping future growth and resilience. With Canada officially becoming a 'super-aged' country in 2026, the time to turn challenges into opportunities is now. Through our partnership with Manulife and the Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems, the Global Longevity Innovation Initiative strengthens the conditions needed to scale early-stage innovation and drive real-world impact that promotes healthy ageing, purpose, and financial resilience across generations."

-     John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum

Challenge details

Full details and entry information can be found here.

The challenge is part of Manulife's broader, multiyear partnership with the World Economic Forum's UpLink initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to accelerating innovation in the longevity economy and supporting solutions that improve quality of life as people live longer. It also supports the World Economic Forum's broader efforts to address the demographic and financial realities of global ageing.

Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage marks the third challenge in this partnership, building on successful challenges previously delivered in the United States and Asia. Together, the Manulife-powered UpLink challenges support a global ecosystem of innovators accelerating solutions across health, financial resilience and well-being, reflecting the company's commitment to driving global change through locally relevant, place-based solutions.

For more information on the Manulife Longevity Institute, visit Manulife.com/Longevity. 

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation 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 additional information, please visit 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. Canada, Asia, and the US.

For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.  

About UpLink

UpLink, the World Economic Forum's early-stage innovation engine, connects purpose-driven innovators with the partnerships, resources and capital they need to scale solutions for the markets and economies critical to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous world. UpLink envisions a future where profit and purpose go hand in hand — where innovation drives competitiveness, inclusion, and long-term value, where economic growth uplifts people while restoring the planet, and where resilience is the foundation of thriving, future-proof economies. For further information, click here.

Media contact

Manulife:

Emily English
Emily_English@manulife.ca
647-544-2800

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

FAQ

What is the Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage challenge announced by Manulife (MFC) on April 22, 2026?

It is an innovation challenge to source solutions that strengthen financial resilience, healthy aging, and social connection across longer lives. According to Manulife, the challenge will target integrated, measurable innovations that address caregiving, retirement planning, and social isolation in Canada.

Which opportunity areas does the Manulife (MFC) longevity challenge prioritize for innovators?

The challenge prioritizes three areas: financial resilience, healthy aging, and purpose and connection. According to Manulife, examples include AI-enabled financial planning, digital health navigation, caregiver support tools, and platforms that reduce social isolation and boost intergenerational engagement.

Who are Manulife (MFC) partnering with for the Canadian Longevity Innovation Challenge?

Manulife partnered with UpLink and the World Economic Forum's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems. According to Manulife, the collaboration builds on prior UpLink challenges and aims to scale early-stage innovations addressing longevity across health, finance, and social wellbeing.

Why did Manulife (MFC) cite urgency for the April 22, 2026 longevity challenge?

Manulife highlighted rising risks of isolation and retirement unaffordability as drivers for action. According to Manulife, survey insights show 43% of older Canadians face high isolation risk and only 29% feel they can afford to retire, underscoring near-term solution needs.

How can innovators participate in Manulife's (MFC) Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage challenge?

Full entry details and submission criteria are available through the challenge portal and partner platforms. According to Manulife, applicants should present measurable, near-term solutions aligned to the three priority areas and follow the posted application timeline and requirements.

What broader initiative does the Manulife (MFC) challenge support within the company?

The challenge supports the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research and innovation platform focused on thriving at every age. According to Manulife, the institute aims to drive research, thought leadership, and place-based innovation tied to longevity solutions and impact.