ACE.SG Delegation Welcome Reception x WA Spotlight event

This event combines a welcome reception for visiting Singaporean health and medical life sciences companies who are in Perth with the ACE.SG x Invest and Trade WA delegation, and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s WA Spotlight series.

This event is brought to you by Invest and Trade WA, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) , the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, ACE.SG and Spacecubed.

Session 1:

Learn about the collaboration between WA and ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship), the national voice for the Singapore startup ecosystem and a key trade association representing the interests of startups in Singapore, as well as hear about innovations being developed in Singapore.

Session 2:

Join Dr Matthew Oldakowski and Dr Intan Oldakowska (founders of Earflo and Rex Ortho and founding directors of Perth Biodesign) in conversation with Oliver Bazzani (Perth Biodesign and Biodesign Australia Director) as they discuss their insights as Perth Biodesign directors, innovators, and founders of medtech startups about how individual success creates platform effects for broader ecosystem development.

About ACE.SG

ACE.SG is the national representative for Singapore’s startup ecosystem, dedicated to advocating for, supporting and growing the startup and innovation sector.

In December 2024, the WA Department Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation signed a MoU with ACE to elevate the innovation ecosystems in WA and Singapore through enhanced knowledge-sharing, exchange, and collaboration opportunities. WA is now the first and only Australian jurisdiction to have a formalised arrangement to leverage ACE’s strong connection and deep understanding of Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, which includes over 5,000 startups.

About our Spotlight speakers

Dr Intan Oldakowska

Dr Intan Oldakowska is a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur focused on developing medical devices. In her research she collaborates with clinicians to design and develop innovative medical devices that solve unmet clinical problems and have commercial potential. She completed her PhD at Curtin University developing a novel expandable orthopaedic screw which resulted in a spin-out company REX Ortho where she remains the Chief Scientific Officer. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Earflo, developing a non-invasive device to improve the treatment of chronic ear infections in young children.

She is a 40under40 2025 winner and her companies have received several awards including the 2023 WA Innovator of the Year for the Emerging Innovation category and more recently named Start-up of the Year at the 2024 INCITE Award. Alongside working in her medtech start-ups, she teaches the next generation of medtech entrepreneurs on how to innovate in this space as part of Perth Biodesign and Biodesign Australia as well as lectures Biomedical Engineering students at the University of Western Australia.

Dr Matthew Oldakowski

Dr Matthew Oldakowski is a biomedical engineer, researcher and entrepreneur. He is CTO and co-founder of Earflo and REX Ortho, and a Senior Lecturer at UWA. He has led multiple devices from concept to clinical trial and commercialisation, securing over $3.5 million in funding. A former Stanford Biodesign Global Fellow, he co-founded Biodesign Australia. His work has received national and international recognition, including the NHMRC Ten of the Best, WA Emerging Innovator of the Year and the Australian Innovation competition. He serves on the WA Health and Medical Life Sciences Industry Advisory Group, supporting statewide medtech strategy and growth.

About our MC

Oliver Bazzani

Oliver Bazzani is a Director of Biodesign Australia and Perth Biodesign, where he fosters the next generation of innovators to solve important problems in healthcare through technology.

With broad experience across the Australian startup ecosystem, Oliver is recognised as a trusted advisor and investor to leading startups, accelerators, and venture funds. He also serves as a founding member of the WA State Government’s Innovation Advisory Board, judge at the INCITE Awards, and mentor to emerging founders, operators and investors.

Previously, Oliver built businesses in the digital health and creative industries, designed the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur and Dream Venture Programs and led the Child and Adolescent Health Service’s innovation function. He also managed WA’s largest angel investor network, was Chair of Regional Arts WA, and was an ambassador for the West Tech Fest, which connects local startup founders and tech entrepreneurs with global thought leaders.

Do you have any questions? Contact our Engagement and Communications Manager Rebekah Hinton at Rebekah.hinton@mtpconnect.org.au

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