IDE Group and MTAA drive the development of emerging health innovators with the Building Better Futures for Health Challenge 2025
Sydney (29 July, 2025) — IDE Group has launched the 2025 Building Better Futures for Health (BBFH) Challenge, a national program designed to accelerate the development of early-stage medical technologies. Delivered in collaboration with the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) MedTech Compass membership initiative, the BBFH Challenge offers a hands-on opportunity for Australia’s emerging innovators to navigate the journey from concept to commercialisation. Applications are now open until September 7, with this year marking the first live semi-finals event, scheduled for October 15. The program will culminate in the grand final on October 22, held during the MTAA MedTech Conference 2025 in Sydney, Australia.
Now in its ninth year, this year’s BBFH Challenge focuses entirely on the Australian ecosystem, with the goal of strengthening local innovation and supporting founderscommitted to advancing the country’s MedTech capabilities. The program is aimed at researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and early-stage ventures that are building solutions to address pressing healthcare needs. Through an immersive and collaborative structure, selected participants will take part in a competitive pitch process, where they present their solutions to a panel of industry experts. This interaction offers direct feedback from leaders in the sector and helps sharpen each venture’s potential for real-world application.
Partnering with the MTAA enhances the BBFH Challenge by combining IDE Group’s product development expertise with MTAA’s strong commitment to supporting the Australian MedTech industry. Through the MedTech Compass initiative, winners receive guidance on regulation, reimbursement, investment, and market access, complementing the hands-on design, development and commercialisation support provided by IDE Group.
Supporting Australia’s Medtech Future
Bringing health technologies to market requires more than innovation, as it demands a coordinated effort across technical validation, clinical relevance, business strategy, and regulatory compliance. The BBFH Challenge was created to meet these demands, combining IDE Group’s technical expertise, and now with MTAA’s sector knowledge to provide structured support to innovators with high potential. Since its launch in 2018, the BBFH Challenge has become a key contributor to MedTech innovation in Australia, fostering a community of professionals and ventures dedicated to advancing patient care.
“The BBFH Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s a collaborative journey that fosters innovation and propels promising MedTech products and service ideas towards commercial success. This year, we’re proud to partner with MTAA to further strengthen that journey, bringing together industry insight, strategic guidance, and development expertise to support the next generation of MedTech innovators in Australia,” said George Sidis, Managing Director of IDE Group.
This year’s participants will compete for up to $40,000 in IDE Group services, including a $30,000 main prize awarded by an expert panel of judges and a $10,000 People’s Choice Award selected by public vote. Beyond financial support, the Challenge is defined by its collaborative and partnership ethos. Finalists will receive personalised guidance from an IDE Group’s multidisciplinary teams of engineers, designers, and clinicians, all of whom bring deep sector experience and a shared commitment to fostering innovation.
This year the winning team will also be invited to join MedTech Compass, a strategic initiative led by MTAA and designed to accelerate commercial success for high-potential ventures. Built specifically for early-stage medical device and digital health companies, MedTech Compass provides targeted support in regulation, reimbursement, investment, and market access.
“Australia is home to world-class MedTech talent, and programs like the BBFH Challenge play an important role in transforming great ideas into real-world solutions. MTAA is proud to partner with IDE Group through our new membership-based MedTech Compass initiative to help emerging innovators navigate the challenging path to commercialisation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and strengthening Australia’s MedTech ecosystem.” Ian Burgess, Chief Executive Officer, MTAA
BBFH Challenge track record of impact along the years
Since its inception, the BBFH Challenge has become a launch‑pad for high‑potential ventures that address critical health needs and demonstrate strong commercial promise.
In last year’s competition Syncricity secured the jury prize for its miniature, wirelessly powered neuromodulation implants that aim to provide controllable relief from spasticity in conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal injury, delivering a less invasive and more cost‑effective alternative to current therapies. The People’s Choice Award went to OOXii, a social‑impact venture whose Vision Kit enables frontline health‑workers to test eyesight and dispense customised spectacles on the spot, expanding access to vision care in low‑resource settings.
The 2023 BBFH Challenge recognised Restorabite with the main award for its portable, 3‑D‑printed device that restores jaw function after head‑and‑neck cancer surgery, bringing tele‑rehabilitation and affordability to an area of significant unmet need. Also, Plio Surgical earned the People’s Choice accolade for its novel approach to reducing anastomotic leakage following colon resection, a complication that drives morbidity and healthcare cost worldwide.
The BBFH Challenge 2025 is now open for submissions and the deadline for entries is 7 September 2025. To apply please visit the BBFH Challenge website at www.ide.group/bbfh-challenge.
