Spotlight on Stirling: Herdsman MedTech Innovation Hub
What started as a simple sketch during an entrepreneurship program has grown into one of Western Australia's most exciting collaborative innovation spaces.
Based in: Osborne Park, City of Stirling
Industry: Medical Technology
Connect: Website | LinkedIn
Located beside Herdsman Lake, the Herdsman MedTech Innovation Hub was established in 2025 as a shared home for medical technology companies, researchers and innovators working to improve patient care. Founded by local medtech companies VeinTech and Lubdub, the Hub has quickly become a centre for collaboration, bringing together five innovative businesses under one roof.
A vision years in the making
The idea behind the Hub began long before the doors officially opened.
In 2017, VeinTech and Lubdub co-founder Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo was asked to draw his long-term vision during an entrepreneurship program. Rather than sketching a product, he envisioned a place where scientists, engineers, clinicians and entrepreneurs could work side by side, helping medical technologies move more efficiently from concept to real-world healthcare.
Eight years later, that vision became reality.
The Hub was created to address a gap in Western Australia's biomedical ecosystem by providing emerging medtech companies with access to the infrastructure, expertise and collaborative environment needed to grow and succeed.
Innovation with purpose
Everything happening inside the Hub is driven by a common goal: improving patient outcomes.
The five resident companies are developing technologies focused on challenges ranging from cardiovascular diagnostics and vascular access to infant health, paediatric care and heart valve technologies. While the products are diverse, the mission is shared: creating solutions that improve healthcare outcomes for patients and clinicians alike.
The Hub also demonstrates how ideas developed in Western Australia can achieve global impact, with several resident businesses building international partnerships while continuing to grow locally.
Why Stirling felt like the right fit
The decision to establish the Hub in the City of Stirling came from both necessity and opportunity.
After outgrowing its previous office and laboratory space, VeinTech needed room to expand. Rather than simply finding larger premises, the opportunity emerged to create a shared innovation environment that could support other early-stage medtech businesses facing similar challenges.
Stirling's central location, accessibility and strong business community made it the ideal place to bring that vision to life. Today, the Hub provides a collaborative base for a growing network of medical technology companies.
More than just shared office space
What makes the Herdsman MedTech Innovation Hub unique isn't just the technology being developed within its walls, but the culture of collaboration that exists between its members.
More than a workspace, the Hub has become a community built on shared learning, shared momentum and a commitment to improving healthcare. Founders regularly exchange practical insights on areas such as regulation, capital raising, clinical development and manufacturing, helping one another navigate the challenges of bringing innovative products to market.
It is a powerful example of what can happen when local talent, industry collaboration and patient-centred innovation come together.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Bringing a medical device from concept to market is a long and complex process. Regulatory requirements, funding milestones and clinical validation all present challenges for emerging businesses.
For companies within the Hub, collaboration has played an important role in overcoming these barriers. Sharing knowledge, resources and lessons learned has helped founders accelerate development and navigate the path towards commercialisation more effectively.
Advice for other local businesses
The team believes one of the biggest advantages a business can create for itself is a strong network of peers and collaborators.
"Surround yourself with people building similar things. Shared spaces and communities shorten the learning curve, open doors to collaborators and make the hard days easier."
It's a philosophy that underpins the Hub itself, where collaboration and knowledge sharing help businesses grow faster and tackle challenges together.
What's next?
Looking ahead, the Hub aims to expand its capabilities and support more WA medtech companies to develop, test and manufacture products locally.
By building this capability in Stirling, the Hub hopes to keep more innovation, talent and jobs in Western Australia while helping local businesses take ideas from concept to patient impact.
To learn more, visit the Herdsman MedTech Innovation Hub website.
Spotlight on Stirling shines a light on the people and businesses helping shape our local economy. Each feature shares the stories, ideas and experiences behind businesses operating within the City of Stirling, celebrating their achievements, innovation and contribution to the community.
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