Social isolation among seniors is a critical issue influenced by various factors such as living alone, being divorced, separated, or widowed, chronic illness, mobility issues, and the loss of family or friends.
This isolation in seniors has significant health implications:
The technology barrier for seniors can significantly contribute to social isolation by limiting their ability to connect with others and engage with the wider community. While technology has the potential to reduce isolation by facilitating communication and interaction, many seniors struggle with adopting these technologies due to a lack of familiarity, training, and support. This gap in digital literacy among older adults means they are less likely to benefit from the social connectivity that technology can provide.
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Innovators, students, developers, researchers, software experts, technologists and other stakeholders are invited to develop practical, real-world solutions which can be developed further as a research and development project or implemented into production for our senior population.
Over four months, this challenge will guide participants through developing practical solutions, with full immersion into the problem via a series of skills development workshops to support design and business development.
These workshops will help in translating ideas or research into prototypes or minimum viable products. Participants will receive mentorship, throughout the project, culminating in a final pitch submission.
Here’s your chance to take part in an extended Hackathon. Giving you time to make a difference!
The challenge will be broken into 2 phases:
2 x $10,000 for the two winning solutions plus equity free seed funding to support prototype developing for those teams that make it past the Hackathon pitch.
Starting in February 2025, you will take part in a life changing challenge and be guided by mentors and industry experts along the way, culminating in seeing your idea come to life.
Milestone |
Date |
| Stage 1 | |
| Registrations Open | 1 February 2025 |
| Participants Notified | 10 - 14 March 2025 |
| Information Session | 19 March 2025 |
| Stage 2 - Hackathon | |
| Real Life Immersion | 26 - 27 March |
| Ideation & Team Formation | 28 March |
| Pitch Validation | 28 March - 4 April |
| Pitch Night | 4 April |
| Stage 3 | |
| Weekly Development Sessions & Mentoring | 9 April - 21 May 2025 |
| Every Wednesday from 3pm-5pm | |
| Demo Night & Program Conclusion | 21 May 2025 |
This challenge is made possible by Meshpoints, an initiative supported by Lotterywest and Spacecubed, which exists to build a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in WA.
We thank our program partner Venture UWA for their support.
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The Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge is a challenge to improve the mental and physical health issues which can be caused by social isolation.
The challenge will proceed over four months, commencing in February 2025 and concluding at a finale in May 2025.
More details about the launch event, workshops, challenge and finale will be released soon.
The challenge will be a collaborative and innovation focused program encouraging participants to build prototype solutions. The solution could be software-based programs, AI initiatives, new designs, or improvements to processes etc.
The Tech Innovate challenge will provide you with plenty of time to develop your solution and the opportunity to help a vulnerable part of our community.
We will require all participants to be part of a team for the challenge. There will be an opportunity to join forces and create teams at the launch.
You will need to register your team prior to the launch date and then your solution in April.
No, but if you are under the age of 18, you will need to be accompanied by a guardian at all times.
Yourselves, an open mind and a laptop!
More details about the venues will be released in the lead up to the challenge.
Food platters and drinks will be provided at milestone events over the course of challenge.
If you have any questions, you can contact Brightwater via LinkedIn or reach out to [email protected]
All participants are required to agree to Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge Terms of Participation.
Download Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge Terms of ParticipationTo ensure a fair, productive, and impactful experience for all participants, the following rules and guidelines will be enforced throughout the Brightwater Tech Innovate Challenge:
Team Composition: Teams must consist of a minimum of 2 members. Participants can form teams within their own organisations or collaborate across different institutions and backgrounds.
Age and Affiliation: There is no minimum age as we would love school students to join this challenge. University students, young entrepreneurs, and professionals are all encouraged to participate.
Registration: All teams must register by the specified deadline and provide all required information.
Attendance: Team members must endeavour to attend all workshops, mentoring sessions, and events.
Commitment: Teams are expected to commit the necessary time and effort to develop their solutions. This includes meeting project milestones and deadlines set by the organiser.
It's important that all participants review and sign the Participation Agreement before the event. Please take a moment to read through it to ensure you're ready for the Challenge (every member of your team must be registered to take part).
Ownership: Intellectual property (IP) created during the challenge remains with the respective teams. However, teams must agree to share their solutions with the organiser for evaluation and promotional purposes.
Original Work: All work submitted must be the original work of the team. Plagiarism or the use of existing solutions without proper acknowledgement will result in disqualification.
Professionalism: Participants must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times. This includes interactions with other teams, mentors, judges, and organisers.
Collaboration: While competition is encouraged, teams should also foster a spirit of collaboration and support within the challenge community.
Scope: Solutions must address the specific theme and challenge outlined at the beginning of the Challenge. Out-of-scope solutions may not be considered for final evaluation.
Feasibility: Solutions must be realistic and implementable. Teams should consider technical feasibility, market viability, and potential impact in their proposals.
Mentor Engagement: Teams must actively engage with assigned mentors and utilise available resources. Regular updates and feedback sessions are required.
Resource Utilisation: Teams should responsibly use the resources provided by the challenge organisers, including information, tools, and materials.
Documentation: Teams must submit all required documentation, including project reports, prototypes, and pitch decks, by the specified deadlines.
Presentation: Teams will present their solutions, in person, to a panel of judges during the pitch submission and final event. Presentations should be clear, concise, and demonstrate the solution’s value proposition. If your team is shortlisted your solution must be demonstrated in person at the finale.
Innovation: The creativity of the solution.
Feasibility: Technical and practical viability of the solution.
Impact: Potential positive impact on the target audience or industry.
Presentation: Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation.
Winning Teams: Prizes will be awarded to the top two performing teams based on the judges’ evaluations. Each team will receive an amount of $10,000.
Seed Funding: Equity free seed funding of $500 will be allocated per team to support prototype development for those teams that make it past the Hackathon pitch.
Follow-up Support: Winning teams may receive additional support for implementing their solutions, including funding, mentorship, and access to resources. The organiser may choose not to implement the winning solution/solutions but will help to promote the initiative.
Adherence to Rules: All teams must adhere to the rules and guidelines set forth by the Tech Innovate Challenge organiser. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
Changes to Rules: The organiser reserves the right to modify the rules and guidelines at any time. Participants will be notified promptly of any changes.
