We are thrilled to share that AIRE has been named the Most Promising Sustainability Start-up at the OCBC Emerging Enterprise Awards 2026. For a small team in Singapore, it is a proud moment. It also belongs to the seniors, caregivers and community partners who helped shape everything we make.
For us, sustainability is about creating lasting social change. It means challenging the stigma around incontinence, making care more accessible and helping seniors continue to participate fully in the lives they love.
AIRE started three years ago with our founder, Nivedita Venkateish, and her grandmother. “When my grandma started needing incontinence wear after a difficult bout of COVID, I wanted to give her more freedom, security and options,” says Nivedita. “The products available were expensive, did not fit well and lacked personality. She deserved so much better, and so does every older adult in her shoes.”
That wish became the starting point for AIRE: creating products that put comfort, dignity and independence first.
Built with seniors, for seniors
Our seniors have spent a lifetime caring for their families, their work and their communities. They deserve products that care for them in return. But many of the products available simply did not fit well or feel comfortable.
So rather than guessing what seniors need, we asked them. Our products are made for Asian sizing, starting from a 22-inch waist. They are soft and breathable, designed to stay comfortable in our hot, humid weather, whether it is a morning walk, a day out with the grandchildren or a good night's sleep.
That commitment continues even after launch. We read every piece of feedback and every review we receive, and we stay in close contact with our customers. Their input guides how we improve our products and keeps us true to what AIRE has always been: built with seniors, for seniors.
Helping seniors feel less alone
Early on, we noticed that many seniors found incontinence hard to talk about, even with the people closest to them. We realised that the impact of incontinence goes beyond the individual. It affects families, caregivers and the communities around them. And when one person feels comfortable speaking up, that conversation has the power to reach many more.
No one should have to feel uncomfortable or alone because of incontinence. So we went to where seniors already are. We gave talks at community centres, joined health fairs and worked with retail and healthcare partners. We invited seniors to share their own stories through livestreams and our Take on Today! docuseries, and we wrote simple articles and tips for them and the family members who care for them.
Sometimes, all it takes is one person speaking up. When a senior feels comfortable talking about incontinence, their family often feels more comfortable too. And that is when people begin to realise that support, and better products, are available.
Every conversation creates an opportunity for someone else to feel understood, seek support and experience greater confidence. This is how we believe meaningful social impact grows: one person, one family and one community at a time.
Showing up for our seniors
In under three years, we have run more than 50 community events and reached over 15,000 seniors and 45,000 caregivers across Singapore. Each conversation, event and partnership has helped us build a community that continues to shape our work. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of that journey.
Today, AIRE is available at over 200 points of sale in Singapore, and in Malaysia too, so seniors can find us wherever they feel most comfortable shopping.
Ready to take on today
Our goal is to positively impact one million lives by 2030. This award gives us fresh energy to keep going, with new products, new markets and more conversations with the seniors we serve.
To every senior, caregiver and partner who trusted us early and helped shape what we make, thank you. If you or someone you love is exploring incontinence care, our free sample pack is a simple way to experience AIRE and find the right fit before choosing a full pack.
Reframing ageing is not about making people feel younger. It is about making sure ageing does not make their world smaller.
*Take on Today!*
