Picture of Andrew working on his Idiom project

Andrew Guo: Bridging the connection gap for the aging population

Young Achievers Award finalist, Andrew Guo, is tackling one of society's most overlooked challenges, the profound isolation of the aging population.

Claire Dunton

29 April 2026

4 minute read

For the fourth consecutive year, Luminary is proud to sponsor the Young Achievers Award in the Tech Visionary category. This award isn’t just about celebrating the quickest coder; it’s about honouring the disruptors who use technology to solve deeply human problems. In a year where we have received a record-breaking number of entries, more than any other year in our history, the following candidate stands out for his ability to turn a personal challenge into a global solution.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce one of our finalist nominees: Andrew Gao, the founder of Idiom.

Moving into a new reality

For Andrew Gao, the journey to becoming a tech visionary began with the silence of a new country. Moving from China back to Melbourne at age 13 with limited English, the once-extroverted child found himself retreating into a world of introversion. It was this early brush with social isolation that ignited a lifelong obsession: how can technology bridge the gap of human loneliness?

Now, as the founder of Idiom, Andrew and his dedicated team are tackling one of society's most overlooked challenges, the profound isolation of the aging population. He is doing this by developing an AI companion that doesn't just process data, but provides a genuine connection.

The labour of solving one's own problem

Andrew’s path was heavily influenced by his mother, a serial entrepreneur. This spirit led him to experiment with various "side hustles" throughout high school and university. However, his true north remained social connectivity. His first venture, an app called Magnet, was born from a desire to move beyond the surface-level interactions of Facebook or dating apps and connect people through shared values and ambitions.

The road wasn't easy. Andrew faced a "rejection therapy" phase, reaching out to technical co-founders on LinkedIn only to be told his vision wasn't viable. Undeterred, he founded the Venture Capital and Innovation Labs club at his university to create the physical space for creators that he himself lacked.

"I've always believed that if there’s something I want, there must be others who want it too," Andrew says. A clinical psychologist eventually pointed out the common thread in all his work: Andrew was trying to solve the problem of loneliness.

Picture of Andrew Guo talking to a man about his use needs

Pivoting toward "Ily"

While Idiom began as a broad social companion, Andrew’s focus shifted after volunteering to visit elderly residents living alone. He witnessed firsthand how technology often leaves the older generation behind, creating a steep learning curve that results in frustration rather than connection.

The solution is ily—a wearable AI system named because "Idiom Loves You". Unlike current tech that requires screens and complex menus, Ili is designed to be voice-native.

"The next frontier is no screens at all," Andrew explains. "When there's a screen, there’s a learning curve. We want technology that adapts to humans, not the other way around".

Technical hurdles and "killing your darlings"

The development of Ili has been a masterclass in resilience. The team moved through three or four major pivots—from a general companion to an assistant, then a memory aid, and finally a "second brain".

Strategic and technical setbacks were frequent:

  • Hardware limitations: Early prototypes using the ESP32 chip couldn't support emergency phone calls or SMS, and battery life was insufficient for the multi-day wear users required.
  • User reality: Andrew had to learn to let go of features he loved when feedback from 1,500 hospital and home visits proved they weren't what the market needed.
  • Design for aging: The team realised that simple details, like "wear-proofing" for the shower, were deal-breakers for the elderly who didn't want to constantly manage a device.

"It’s hard on the team to scrap months of work," Andrew admits, "but the market pulls the great product out of the founder. You have to listen rather than defend what you’ve built".

The Idiom prototype for the aged care community

A five-year vision for aging in place

Andrew’s vision for the next five years is to fundamentally shift what it means to "age in place". Currently, the decision to stay at home is often shadowed by fear—fear of a fall, an emergency, or the quiet creep of isolation.

By providing a wearable that acts as both a safety net and a conversational companion, Idiom allows the aging population to remain in the environments they love without feeling like a burden to their families. For the families, it provides a "dashboard" of peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are connected and safe.

Picture of the Idiom team

Why the Tech Visionary Award matters

For Andrew, success isn't just about the technology—it’s about the team and the values behind it. He has shifted his perspective from being a solo athlete to building a collective capable of tackling global issues.

Winning the Luminary Tech Visionary Award would validate a mission to rewrite the story of aging. Andrew doesn't want to replace human care; he wants to use technology to ensure no one is left behind by the digital revolution.

Andrew’s goal is to leave a legacy where technology is invisible and intuitive, ensuring that as we age, we don't lose our independence or our connection to the world around us.


Stay tuned as we announce the winner of the Young Achievers Award. Will Andrew’s vision for a more connected and independent aging population win him the trophy?

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