Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025
The Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025 is being delivered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cogniss and The Validitron, with support from the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC), Talking HealthTech and NextGen. A part of the Ripple initiative, the Challenge focused on supporting solutions for underserved populations and health conditions.
Winners have gained access to an exclusive, complimentary programme that offers guidance and support through the accelerated creation, validation and deployment of digital health solutions. This includes a rapid development bootcamp, co-design and usability services, 12-month access to the Cogniss no-code platform, access to The Validitron Sandbox and a chance to connect with international investors and healthcare ecosystems.
Here are highlights from the Challenge Pitch Day.
Winners
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Dr Sarah Hanieh
University of Melbourne
Sarah is working on Project SHINE, a nutrition education app for migrant families who face barriers in accessing mainstream dietary advice. The app will deliver multilingual content to help families make healthier food choices and lower risk for diseases.
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Prof Caroline Donovan
Griffith University
Caroline is building Lights Out, an evidence-based app for parents of children aged 3–12. The app will deliver accessible sleep interventions that have proven to improve issues related to child sleep, anxiety and behaviour, supporting family wellbeing.
Delivery partners
Cogniss is a no-code ecosystem that enables healthcare experts and organsations to create advanced patient-facing digital health apps. No coding or design skills required. Its unique point-and-click interface empowers healthcare experts and organizations to build highly customized apps, at a fraction of the time and cost required by traditional code-based development.
AWS is the trusted technology and innovation partner to the global healthcare and life sciences industry, providing unmatched reliability, security, and data privacy. AWS for Healthcare & Life Sciences provides an offering of AWS services and AWS Partner solutions used by thousands of customers globally.
The Validitron is a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and research experts in digital health implementation, human factors, and evaluation. Based at state-of-the-art simulation and design facilities within Melbourne Connect – The University of Melbourne's innovation precinct.
Challenge partners
Talking HealthTech features content and community for those wanting to learn and connect about technology in healthcare. The podcast features regular discussions with doctors, developers and decision makers involved in digital health and innovation.
The Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) is Australia’s peak body for digital health representing a united and influential single voice for health informatics and digital health leaders and practioners.
Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) is advancing digital health innovation by linking academia, industry and government to accelerate research implementation, enable effective us of data, connect care, empower the health workforce and support consumers to confidently be in control of their health and wellbeing.
NEXTGEN is the growth engine helping technology companies successfully launch, scale and grow. It connects emerging tech solutions with the right ecosystem of partners and infrastructure.
Judging panel & emcee
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![Headshot of Amanda Cattermole, CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency, judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Amanda Cattermole PSM
CEO, Australian Digital Health Agency
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![Headshot of Dr Jill Freyne, Healthcare Industry Lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS), judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Dr Jill Freyne
Healthcare Industry Lead, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
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![Headshot of Annette Schmiede, CEO of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC), judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Annette Schmiede
CEO, Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC)
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![Headshot of Leon Young, CEO and Founder of Cogniss, judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Leon Young
CEO & Founder of Cogniss
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![Headshot of Anja Nikolic, CEO of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Anja Nikolic
CEO, Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH)
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![Headshot of Prof Lauren Ayton AM, Associate Dean of Innovation and Enterprise at the University of Melbourne, judge in the Ripple Priority Digital Health Challenge 2025.]()
Prof Lauren Ayton AM
Associate Dean - Innovation and Enterprise, University of Melbourne
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![Peter Birch]()
Peter Birch (Emcee)
Founder and CEO of Talking HealthTech
Impact and media interest so far
The Challenge was covered by Pulse+IT and Health Services Daily.
Professor Caroline Donovan was interviewed by Channel 7, Channel 9 and ABC Radio to discuss the challenges with child sleep and her Lights Out app that she is developing as part of this Challenge.
