Accelerating Healthtech Innovation: Applications Open for LuminaX 2025

5 minute read

The future of healthcare is being shaped today, and you can be part of it. LuminaX, Australia’s leading healthtech accelerator program, is officially accepting applications for its 2025 cohort. Designed to support healthtech founders tackling some of the sector’s biggest challenges, LuminaX offers the vital resources and mentorship needed to commercialise and scale innovative solutions.

We met with Dren Xerxa, the Creator and Director of LuminaX at Cospaces, to find out more about the upcoming 2025 Program.

What LuminaX Offers to Healthtech Innovators

The LuminaX program is a 12-week, in-person accelerator based at the Cohort Innovation Space within the Gold Coast’s Health and Knowledge Precinct. It is tailored to nurture early-stage healthtech entrepreneurs by providing access to a powerful suite of resources:

• Expert Mentorship: Guidance from seasoned leaders, including founders and clinicians, who understand the challenges of scaling startups in healthtech.
• Investor Readiness: With the addition of the Queensland Investment Corporation’s Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF), the program now connects participants to a robust network of venture capital funds and angel investors.
• Collaboration and Networking: Participants gain access to a thriving ecosystem of healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders.
• State-of-the-Art Resources: From specialised facilities to expert-led workshops and pitch events, startups receive the tools needed to refine their solutions and succeed globally.

The program focuses on helping startups develop impactful, scalable solutions by supporting every stage of their journey.

What’s New for 2025?

Every year, LuminaX evolves to address the needs of the healthtech ecosystem, and the 2025 cohort is no exception. Firstly, the ever-growing network of healthtech supporters has expanded, particularly in the critical area of access within the health system.

“This year, we’ve strengthened partnerships with Gold Coast Health, which will give startups access to clinicians and real-world healthcare feedback,” says Xerxa. “This collaboration is a big step forward for the program.”

Secondly, the Program has made significant advances in connecting and strengthening the pipeline to investment for startups. “This year, we’re strengthening our investment focus, providing startups with more opportunities to connect with venture capital funds and angel investors,” says Xerxa

“By the end of the program, founders will have met around 20 investors and be ready to secure funding.”

The introduction of a LuminaX Syndicate is attracting great interest in the surrounding community of health-focussed angel investors. In years past, LuminaX has had significant interest from its own program mentors, members of the broader Health and Knowledge Precinct and from other angel groups. “For example, our recent investment in Bloody Good Tests, a standout from 2024, was supported by multiple mentors who also contributed funds to the startup,” Xerxa explains. The LuminaX syndicate will smooth the process for both investors who are interested in finding out more about the latest opportunities to invest, and for the healthtech startups within the LuminaX cohorts.

Growing its access to Venture Capital for scaling healthtechs, LuminaX is now part of Queensland Investment Corporation’s Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF). For healthtechs that are moving beyond angels into seeking investment for scale, “this means we have access to a lot of VC funds, a strong network of investors, and a pipeline to help startups become investor-ready by the end of the program,” says Xerxa.

Why the Gold Coast?

The LuminaX Accelerator is strategically located at the heart of the Lumina development area, within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct. The Lumina development and community is a hub of innovation growing connection and collaboration between startups and hospitals, universities, and research facilities.

This integrated approach allows startups to test, refine, and implement their solutions in real-world healthcare settings. “Being here means having access to clinicians, advanced facilities, and industry experts. “The network effect is what makes LuminaX so valuable. You gain access to experienced founders, respected clinicians, and industry leaders like Vu Tran from Go1, Nick Blair from Midnight Health and Kelvin Ross, one of the leading AI experts in Australia.”

“Startups benefit from the proximity to this talent and the collaborative community we’ve built.”

A Proven Track Record and a Vision for the Future

Since its inception, LuminaX has supported startups that have gone on to secure significant funding and form industry-shaping partnerships. To date, LuminaX startups have raised $24 million in funding, with notable contributions from mentors and angel investors within the program. “One of our mentors, has invested in one startup from every cohort,” shares Xerxa. “He’s an example of how deeply involved our mentors become in the success of these companies.”

Startups like Bloody Good Tests from the most recent 2024 cohort have seen rapid growth, leveraging the mentorship and resources offered by LuminaX. “The program helps founders take their ideas from early-stage concepts to market-ready solutions,” says Xerxa.

And there’s a long term ambition behind the program. “We want LuminaX to be known globally as the place for early-stage healthtech innovation. We want to become the ‘Y-Combinator’ of healthtech,” Xerxa shares. “A place where founders from around the world want to come to develop their startups.”

Who Should Apply?

LuminaX invites applications from startups with solutions that solve significant problems in the healthcare space. Whether your focus is on AI, medical devices, digital health platforms, biotech, sportstech, LuminaX is open to a diverse range of innovators.

“Our sweet spot is digital health solutions,” Xerxa notes. “But we also love working with medical devices and biotech companies. If you’re solving a problem in health, we want to hear from you.”

“My advice to applicants is to show your commitment and determination. Focus on the problem —how big it is and why you’re passionate about solving it. And we always love those that submit early and reach out through our network. It shows they’re keen and ready to take full advantage of the program.”

Your Journey Starts Here

LuminaX isn’t just about launching startups—it’s about reshaping the future of healthcare. By joining the accelerator, you’ll become part of a movement solving the most pressing challenges in the industry.

Don’t wait—applications for the 2025 LuminaX Healthtech Accelerator are now open. Apply early to maximise your engagement with the program and secure your place in the cohort. Apply now, applications close 7 March 2025.