CHALLENGE ADVANCES HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES AND MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE MEDTECH SECTOR Building Better Futures for Health Reaches 11 Year Milestone
With
George Sidis, Managing Director,
IDE Group
Teneille Murray,
Innovation & Growth Lead
Medical Technology Association of Australia
Nick Northcott, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
Eudaemon Technologies
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | August 2026
In July IDE Group launched the 2027 Building Better Futures for Health (BBFH) Challenge, a program supporting early-stage MedTech innovators move from concept to commercialisation. Delivered with Medical Technology Association of Australia’s (MTAA) MedTech Compass, the 2027 program marks 10 years of impact.
Now in its 11th year, BBFH supports researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures tackling urgent healthcare needs. Selected teams will pitch to industry experts, gaining feedback to strengthen commercial potential.
BBFH combines IDE Group’s commercial and technical expertise with MTAA’s sector knowledge to help high-potential innovators validate, develop and commercialise health technologies. Since 2018, it has become a key platform for Australian MedTech innovation.
Participants will compete for up to $40,000 in IDE Group services: a $30,000 jury prize and $10,000 People’s Choice Award. Finalists also receive tailored guidance from IDE Group’s engineers, designers and clinicians.
The winning team will join MedTech Compass, MTAA’s program supporting early-stage medical device and digital health ventures with regulation, reimbursement, investment and market access guidance.
Over the years several start-ups have reached maturation to enter or soon to enter the market such as the inaugural Building Better Futures for Health (BBFH) Winner 2016 Eudaemon Technologies.
Applications close 31 August 2026, followed by a Semi-Finalist Showcase on the 12 November 2026 in Sydney and the Grand Final at the MTAA MedTech Conference on 3 March 2027 in Sydney. To apply, please visit the BBFH Challenge website at www.ide.group/bbfh-challenge.
Source: Adapted from joint IDE Group and MTAA media release, July 2026
-
From University to Pharmacy Industry
The transition from full time academic study to industry can be both rewarding and challenging. Intern programs and an association for pharmacists, makes the transition easier.
The National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) represents students from 17 universities nationwide studying either an undergraduate or postgraduate program. The association advocates for Australian pharmacy students to ensure their future is prosperous and their status, rights and privileges are protected.
-
Chiropractors commence Spinal Health Month with research in mental health
A new Australian-first clinical research study has found promising results for reducing the mental health impacts of chronic musculoskeletal pain by combining online psychological therapies with routine physical care. The research, funded by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) and conducted through CQUniversity and Macquarie University’s MindSpot programme, highlights the strong connection between chronic pain and mental wellbeing.
-
Enhancing occupational therapy service provision with military veterans
Almost half a million Australians have served with the Australian Defence Force. Given the high prevalence of physical and mental health conditions and complexity of civilian life adjustment after military service, high-quality occupational therapy services are critical. However, there is limited description of occupational therapy service provision to individuals funded by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs to inform government policy.
A cross-sectional study, led by Professor Carol McKinstry, Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean with La Trobe University’s Rural Health School at the Bendigo campus has used an online survey to collect information from occupational therapists providing services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs clients.
