Winner of the John Hopper Leadership Award...Jimmy Zollo | Joe & Bella
Jimmy is the co-founder and CEO of Joe Bella, an adaptive-apparel startup that’s revolutionizing the industry. Joe & Bella’s mission is to create the world’s finest adaptive apparel, ensuring everyone can wear the style and quality of clothing they love, regardless of any physical or cognitive changes. “I’m humbled by being honored with this recognition and inspired by John Hopper’s legacy. We have an opportunity to improve the lives of so many older adults and those who care for them and that’s what motivates our team every day.”– Jimmy Zollo Connect with Jimmy here 2024 Finalists...
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John Hopper was a true innovator. Between establishing one of the first funds to invest in age-tech solutions and supporting its portfolio company entrepreneurs, John dedicated himself to driving innovation while inspiring growth in people, teams, and relationships. John’s significant influence, impact, and contribution to those with whom he collaborated will never be forgotten. Through this Award, we remember John and celebrate his legacy by recognizing an Entrepreneur whose solution makes a meaningful impact in the aging landscape.
The John Hopper Impact Award recognizes an exceptional Entrepreneur who has introduced an innovative solution or technology that improves the lives of older adults. Each year, the award will spotlight a specific area of innovation within aging services.
2025’s Award Theme – A Spotlight on Cognitive and Behavioral Health
This year’s innovation focus is on cognitive and behavioral health, recognizing entrepreneurs whose work enhances the quality of life, care, and overall experience for individuals living with dementia, cognitive decline, and behavioral health challenges associated with aging. Cognitive and behavioral health has become one of the most pressing challenges in senior living and healthcare. With the number of people living with Alzheimer’s, other dementias, and age-related cognitive disorders expected to double by 2050, the demand for innovative, scalable solutions in this space has never been greater. Families and care providers face significant emotional, physical, and financial burdens, while the senior living industry struggles to meet the rising need for effective support systems and interventions. The John Hopper Impact Award seeks to highlight and accelerate solutions that improve cognitive health, enhance caregiving models, and create more dignified, engaging environments for those affected by dementia.
RECOGNITION
WHAT’S NEXT LONGEVITY VENTURE SUMMIT INVITE
Finalists of the John Hopper Leadership Award will be invited* to the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit on June 11th, 2025 in San Francisco, California, where the Award Recipient will be announced prior to a reception honoring John. The What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit is the first, and one of the most significant, gathering of venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives focused on the longevity economy.
* Invitation to conference includes complimentary registration and a travel stipend
ONE-YEAR ADVISOR PARTNERSHIP
The recipient of the award will receive a one-year Advisor partnership with an Award Advisor of the Recipient’s choosing. Biographies for each of the members in the Advisor Pool found here. The 2025 Advisor Pool includes a robust list of highly experienced individuals including senior living provider leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and venture specialists. Advisory relationship subject to terms outlined in the Advisory Agreement.
ACCESS TO INVITATION-ONLY EVENTS
The winner of the Award will receive an invitation to the Ziegler Link•age Symposium in Chicago in July 2025. The Ziegler Link•age Symposium is an investor-exclusive and invitation-only event that brings together over 100 industry leaders and innovators to discuss the future of technology and its potential to revolutionize the aging and post-acute fields. The Recipient will have an opportunity for a brief speaking engagement at the Symposium.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Anyone may submit a nomination for the John Hopper Impact Award with the candidate’s permission. Self-nominations are accepted. It is the responsibility of the nominator to summarize the nominee’s achievements in sufficient detail to document why this individual should be considered, above all others, for this distinguished award.
Nominations must contain sufficient information to inform the selection process without additional research. Please complete the Nomination Form in full for Nominee to be considered for the Award.
The Recognition Committee reviews nominations for the leadership award against the following required criteria:
- Innovative Solution: The nominee must have a unique and innovative solution that will seek to improve the lives of older adults from the lens of the year’s Award Theme.
- Measurable Impact to Relative to the Award Theme: The nominee must demonstrate a clear, quantifiable impact on the cognitive and behavioral health space. This may include:
- Clinical Outcomes – Evidence of improved cognitive function, reduced agitation, delayed disease progression, or enhanced daily functioning.
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Quality of Life Enhancements – Data showing increased engagement, social interaction, or emotional well-being for individuals facing cognitive or behavioral health challenges.
- Operational or Cost Improvements – Measurable efficiencies in caregiving, staffing, or cost reductions that make high-quality cognitive and behavioral health support more accessible.
- Adoption & Scalability – Demonstrated usage by senior living communities, home care providers, or healthcare systems, with a clear pathway to expanding impact.
- Financial Viability and Sustainability: Winners will be financially viable with a plan to scale to drive broader future impact.
GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY
The John Hopper Impact Award is a distinguished recognition and is awarded only once per individual.
Eligible candidates must:
- Be an active entrepreneur within the aging and healthcare industry
- Have made a significant, demonstrable contribution to the year’s Award Theme
- Have at least two signed customers
- Ideally have at least $100,000 in annually recurring revenue (ARR) with strong growth potential
Candidates may not currently be a member of the Ziegler Link-age team, affiliated with Ziegler Link-age Fund portfolio companies, the League of Advisors, or the Recognition Committee.
ABOUT JOHN HOPPER
John Hopper was someone who always strived for greatness, who achieved nearly all of his life goals, and who lived life with purpose. Born in a tiny town in Ohio as the youngest of four, he learned the value of an All-American work ethic from his parents and from the western Pennsylvania steel mills that set him to work as a teenager. He would never brag about his “humble beginnings,” but he carried a quiet yet palpable pride about the way his life turned out. He was naturally bright and driven, putting himself through college, then an MBA, then a JD, and subsequently achieving success in corporate, legal, business, and entrepreneurial settings. He was someone who used his natural intellect to great effect: when he wanted something, he put one foot in front of the other and walked purposefully towards it. This focus and determination helped John Hopper achieve success in all of his endeavors from stock broker, to legal counsel, and from tech CEO, to investment banker, and venture capitalist.
John Hopper was a founding member and the Chief Investment Officer of the Ziegler Link-age Funds where he leveraged his tenacity and creativity to help craft an investment policy designed to support innovation, collaboration, and growth among entrepreneurs, and senior living and healthcare providers. As one the first fund focused on raising venture capital from senior living and care providers to invest in companies innovating in the space, John Hopper’s vision, network and ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible way, was instrumental in its success.
John Hopper’s attitude of intentionality and purpose served him well in life, and allowed him to raise a family, enjoy his passions, and build and live the exact life he wanted. He loved learning new things and was constantly looking ahead to the next big opportunity — his dreams were limitless.
PRIOR-YEAR RECIPIENTS
Winner of the John Hopper Leadership Award...Virginie Rafael | FullCircle
Virgnie Raphael is the founder of FullCircle, a perpetual pre-seed fund investing in a better workforce with much greater economic potential where fulfilled individuals gain pride and agency over their work. “I was deeply proud and touched to receive the inaugural John Hopper Leadership Award. John was such a dedicated, thoughtful and effective mentor to so many entrepreneurs. Following John’s leadership, I am inspired to continue supporting the entrepreneurs I back with the same authenticity, enthusiasm, transparency, dedication and kindness.”– Virginie Raphael Connect with Virginie here 2023 Finalists...
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