Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge

The Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge is an extended hackathon where student teams collaborate to design innovative technology-based solutions aimed at reducing social isolation among older Australians, particularly those living in Brightwater residential aged care.

Innovation in Action: Brightwater Tech Innovate Pitch Night

Last week, Venture UWA and Brightwater came together to host an inspiring Pitch Night as part of the Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge—an extended hackathon focused on reducing social isolation among older Australians through innovative technology solutions.

The event saw six talented student teams take the stage, presenting their business ideas and working prototypes to a panel of expert judges. Each team showcased months of hard work, creativity, and empathy-driven design, aiming to make a real impact on the lives of older people living in residential aged care.

From communication platforms to interactive tools that foster connection, the ideas brought forward were not only innovative but deeply human-centred.

After a tough deliberation, three standout teams were selected to move forward to the next stage of development, where they will continue refining their solutions alongside mentors from Brightwater and Venture UWA.

Congratulations to all participants for their incredible work—and stay tuned as we follow the journey of these teams turning their tech ideas into real-world change!

Hackathon Overview:

🎯 Key Objective

Develop practical, tech-enabled innovations that:

• Improve social connection

• Enhance communication

• Foster a sense of belonging and engagement among older individuals, especially those at risk of isolation

🧩 What Teams Are Expected to Produce

1. Follow a design thinking approach to deeply understand user needs, including:

   • Empathising with older adults and their support networks

   • Defining key pain points and opportunities

   • Ideating and testing viable solutions

2. Prototype a technology-based concept, which could be:

   • An app or digital platform

   • A wearable or smart device

   • A communication tool

   • An interactive digital experience

3. Deliver a 3–5 minute pitch on Pitch Night, including:

   • A clear explanation of the problem

   • Research insights and empathy-driven design

   • How the proposed tech solution works

   • Real-world applicability within Brightwater

   • Evidence of user feedback/testing (if available)

   
   

🏁 Outcome

• Teams are not just showcasing ideas—they’re offering feasible innovations that could be piloted or further developed to directly improve the lives of socially isolated older adults in aged care.

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