Challenge Overview
At the BYO Innovation Challenge, you bring the ideas, and we'll bring the support you need to refine them and make a real impact.
This immersive day is designed to equip participants with essential tools, provide invaluable multidisciplinary feedback, and offer personalised mentorship - all aimed at refining your medical or health solutions.
Whether you're a student or staff, this is your chance to turn your ideas into actionable innovations that make a difference.
Scroll down to see what to expect on the day.
Innovation Workshop
Stephen Rutter’s workshops are designed to challenge conventional thinking and reconnect participants with the core purpose of their work. Through engaging sessions on problem definition, ideation, prototyping, testing, and pitching, Stephen guides participants to step outside their comfort zones and reframe their approach.
These creatively unconventional workshops help ensure that ideas are not only innovative but also deeply aligned with the needs of the target audience—delivering solutions that truly meet the 'why' behind the work.
Mentoring Session
Participants also benefit from dedicated mentoring sessions with a diverse network of experts, including UNSW academics, industry professionals, and successful entrepreneurs.
These sessions offer a space to explore ideas in depth, receive constructive feedback, and refine their approach with the support of experienced mentors. The goal is to strengthen each idea’s clarity, relevance, and potential for real-world impact.
Pitching Workshop
Participants are taken through a dynamic and interactive session, diving into the art of pitching. This workshop focuses on building confidence in stage presence, learning how to effectively engage an audience, and mastering the structure of a compelling pitch.
Whether refining delivery or clarifying messaging, participants gain practical tools to communicate their ideas with clarity, impact, and authenticity.
Submitting Your Pitch Deck
To wrap up the day, participants are given dedicated time to consolidate their learning and refine their pitch decks.
This session is an opportunity to incorporate feedback from mentors and workshops, polish their messaging, and prepare a compelling submission with the help of Founders staff.
Final slide decks will be reviewed as part of the selection process for the BYO Innovation Challenge Pitching Showcase, where standout ideas will take the stage.
Personalised Support
For those selected to pitch at the BYO Innovation Challenge Showcase, tailored support will be provided by UNSW Founders to help you shine on stage.
Founders will offer:
Personalised feedback on your draft pitch deck
Pitch coaching and guidance to refine your delivery and storytelling
Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to pitching, this support is designed to help you feel confident, clear, and compelling.
Challenge Details
When: TBD October 2026
Where: Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, Kensington
Who: Open to all members of the Faculty of Medicine and Health and affiliated MRIs. We welcome individual participants, or teams.
How: Expressions of interest will be announced later in the year.
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Join us at our next BYO Innovation Challenge!
For any enquiries about the BYO Innovation Challenge, please contact Soph Kloosterman at s.kloosterman@unsw.edu.au.
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