Diving Into the PHN Mental Health Innovation Challenge
I am fairly new to the startup world. Wrapping your head around the unique language, or 'startup speak,' as I call it, can be challenging if you've never delved into this dynamic space.
I soon discovered that innovation challenges are like boot camps for the entrepreneurial spirit. They immerse you in a whirlwind of ideas, collaboration, and creativity, pushing you to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
Stepping into the Primary Health Network Mental Health Innovation Challenge, co-delivered by the Integrated Innovation Network at the University of Newcastle and the University of New England SMART Region Incubator, was like entering a bustling marketplace of ideas and collaboration.
Imagine a room filled with passionate individuals from all walks of life, each eager to contribute their unique perspective to the conversation (most strangers!). From tech-savvy innovators to grassroots advocates, the challenge attracted diverse participants, all driven by a shared commitment to improving mental health care in our region.
Throughout the event, teams brainstormed and pitched a wide range of creative solutions, from user-friendly, AI-integrated mobile apps and VR platforms to community-driven support initiatives. The challenge provided teams with invaluable experience in putting together pitch proposals and presenting them to judges.
This hands-on experience is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs, giving them the skills and confidence they need to bring their ideas to life. It's quite the whirlwind observing how quickly a small idea can grow and evolve over one day – they moved at lightning speed, which is seriously impressive. As an added incentive, the challenge also offered cash prizes for the most innovative ideas, adding an extra layer of excitement and motivation for the teams involved.
And hey, speaking of success, one of our founders, Sewa Emojong of E.S Emojong Consultancy, even won the third prize for her team's Songwriting for Wellbeing idea! Sewa’s success - along with the success of our other founders who represented the SRI at the challenge including Dale Macdonald from BASE FIVE CO and Bindi Walker from Ten 4 Bouldering, underscored the wealth of talent and innovation in our local startup community. #PROUD.
The challenge, which featured a strong representation of founders and innovators from the New England Region, emphasised the potential within our community. It showcased our region's entrepreneurial spirit and capacity for collaboration and innovation, serving as a powerful reminder of our collective impact when we come together to tackle pressing issues.
One thing that stood out to me was the startup mindset of embracing trial and error. Instead of fearing failure, everyone was encouraged to experiment and learn from mistakes. It was refreshing to be in an environment where taking risks was seen as part of the process.
The main takeaway? Ideas have the power to transform lives, and the culture of innovation is key. Embrace the mindset of experimentation, iteration, and relentless pursuit of improvement. Together, we can continue to push boundaries and build a brighter future for our region.
As told by Alexandra Cook, UNE SRI Regional Connector Armidale
The Mental Health Innovation Challenge was delivered in partnership with the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN), the University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network and the University of New England.
