Brightwater’s Manager of Corporate Partnerships, Nicola Bedwood, joined the 2025 Team Western Australia mission to Singapore’s Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). Representing Brightwater alongside a dynamic delegation of WA startups, founders, innovators and ecosystem builders. Across five packed days, the delegation championed WA innovation, forged new relationships, and explored ideas with the potential to improve aged care through technology and evidence-based practice.
A week of connection, learning and possibility
Monday 27 October – Curtin Singapore & the High Commission
The week began at Curtin University Singapore with a roundtable hosted by the Australian High Commission. WA startups shared their solutions in a dynamic startup showcase with His Excellency Allaster Cox, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, welcoming the delegation and highlighting the growing partnership between Singapore and Western Australia.
Tuesday 28 October – MedTech immersion
Day two was spent at the MedTech Innovator Showcase in Science Park and included a “lab crawl” across leading innovation hubs. From digital health to medical devices, the focus was on practical tools that can improve care, safety and quality of life.
Wednesday 29 October – SWITCH opens at Marina Bay Sands
Day one of SWITCH brought thousands of innovators together across health and biomed sessions. A proud moment for Team WA was seeing Graeme Speak of BankVault Cybersecurity on the global Slingshot stage, the only WA representative among hundreds. The day closed with a WA Government networking dinner hosted by Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, celebrating the growing collaboration between WA and Singapore’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
Thursday 30 October – Built in WA takes the stage
With over 400 exhibitors and multiple program streams, day two showcased the breadth of global innovation. Team WA presented ‘Built in WA: Bold Ideas from the West’, spotlighting homegrown capability. The evening wrapped with Invest and Trade WA’s Founders & Ecosystem Builders networking dinner.
Friday 31 October – Flying the Brightwater flag at West Tech Fest
On the final day, Nicola supported the West Tech Fest stand, representing Brightwater and sharing how the Brightwater Centre for Research & Innovation (BCRI) is improving lives through innovative, evidence-based care.
(And yes, the WA team mascot, Kevin the Quokka, made time for a little exploring, too!)
Why SWITCH matters for Brightwater clients and families
- Real-world benefits, not hype: We look for practical, safe, and proven solutions that help older people live well, whether at home or in residential care.
- Partnerships that speed up progress: Connections formed at SWITCH can turn into pilot projects, research collaborations and knowledge-sharing that benefit the people we support.
- Evidence at the centre: Through BCRI, we embed research into care. SWITCH helps us find partners who share that commitment to evidence-based practice.
Gratitude to our partners
A heartfelt thank you to Meshpoints for the opportunity, West Tech Fest for stellar organisation, and the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification for supporting the WA delegation. Our thanks also to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and Minister Dawson for hosting founders and ecosystem leaders, and to all the inspiring delegates who generously shared their insights. Go Team WA!
