February 2022

A word from the new Minister

As the new Minister for Innovation and ICT, I’m pleased to bring you the first edition of the New Industries Fund newsletter for the year 2022.

In my first few months in this exciting portfolio, I have been very privileged to witness firsthand the amazing innovation talent and potential that exists in our state. 

In the Innovation and ICT portfolio, the McGowan Labor Government is supporting WA entrepreneurs, small to medium businesses and investors to accelerate new and emerging business, and encourage innovation and diversity in our economy, through the New Industries Fund.

The McGowan Government will look to increase investment in WA’s startup ecosystem and diversify it by supporting more multicultural, First Nations and female entrepreneurs and innovators.

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to visit Curtin University's WA School of Mines at Kalgoorlie along with Ali Kent MLA- Member of Kalgoorlie. While Kalgoorlie-Boulder is well known for its mining industry, it’s great to see what innovation is taking place in other local industries. The innovation and technological prowess that exists here in Western Australia is immense.

I recently announced the results of Round 3 of the successful X-TEND WA program supported by the New Industries Fund. The X-TEND program is designed to help you, the entrepreneur, and your business, progress along the commercialisation journey. I encourage all WA startups and SMEs to utilise the X-TEND WA programs we have announced. 

We will be looking forward to the launch of the popular Innovation Booster Grants (previously the Innovation Vouchers Program) next month.

The state government’s investment of $500,000 will support the inclusion of a public Innovation Showcase in the West Tech Festival- WA’s premier tech festival- to promote the state’s home-grown, world class innovation talent.

I look forward to meeting with stakeholders and engaging with our innovation communities in the coming months. I understand there is much to do and much to be achieved. Be assured, I will be working and engaging with stakeholders to ensure the state government can work towards enriching our innovation ecosystem, diversifying the economy and creating more jobs.

I encourage you to visit and explore the many resources available to SMEs and startups on the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation's (JTSI) website, remain subscribed to this newsletter, and/or visit JTSI’s LinkedIn page  for more regular updates.

Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Minister for Innovation and ICT

More than $615,000 to grow entrepreneur and investor education programs

The Western Australian Government is investing more than $615,000 to grow entrepreneur and investor education programs that support the commercialisation of Western Australian innovations.

Eight programs will receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 through round three of the WA Government’s X-TEND WA program, funded through the New Industries Fund.

A diverse range of programs have been selected from more than 40 competitive applications, including initiatives developed for female founders, First Nations entrepreneurs and regional entrepreneurs.

To learn more about the programs and how it can help your business, follow the link: X-TEND WA Round 3 program 

Vital research informs industry on best practice to recycle and divert e-waste from landfill

Innovation and ICT Minister Stephen Dawson, and Environment Minister Reece Whitby hosted an industry presentation with three recipients of the WasteSorted E-Waste Grants. The three recipients- Curtin University, CSIRO and Epichem- discussed their research findings from projects funded through this grant. Their research aimed at assisting in the development of long-term innovative ways to process e-waste.

Click the following link to know more: WasteSorted E-Waste Grants 

$2.4 million for data science and cybersecurity innovation hubs to support startup and SME growth

Support for the expanding fields of cybersecurity and data science is set to continue across the State, with the Western Australian government committing a total of $2.4 million to the Western Australian AustCyber Innovation Hub and the WA Data Science Innovation Hub. 

Click the following link to know more: WA Innovation Hubs 

Meet the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation's (JTSI) new Director for Innovation, Charlie Gunningham,  and new Principal Policy Officer, Rebecca Davidson

What does your role involve?
I head up the Innovation team, within the Science and Innovation division here at JTSI. The people have been incredibly welcoming, and work really hard for the sector. 

We run the New Industries Fund, an election commitment of the Western Australian government. This includes the Innovation Booster Grant (previously known as the Innovation Vouchers Program), the X-TEND WA grant and WA Innovator of the Year as well as the three Innovation Hubs and various sponsorships.

What are you looking forward to most about working for JTSI?
I’ve not worked in state government before, so this is a whole new experience for me. I did work for the federal government on their Accelerating Commercialisation program (Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources) a few years ago. I have mainly worked in and for tech businesses of some kind or another, including being CEO of Business News and GM of reiwa.com.

I’ve spent the last 23 years in the local tech/startup sector, so have a pretty good understanding of its needs, and where government can assist. I look forward to rolling out some new initiatives that will help accelerate local startups and further diversify our state’s economy. There’s just so much potential out there.

What does your role involve?
I am a Principal Policy Officer in the JTSI Innovation Team and have joined from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to undertake this role. My role will focus on Regional WA and ensuring regional perspectives and issues are factored into the ongoing delivery of the New Industries Fund and the evolution of its programs. 

How do you see innovation growing in Regional WA in the near future?
I see the regions as being very ripe for innovation, given the ever-present structural challenge for regional business and service providers, deriving from sparse populations, vast distances, diminished access to resources and generally higher costs.  I think the broader challenges of climate change, the emissions reduction agenda across regional industries, digital infrastructure challenges, ageing demographics and the imperative for better economic and social inclusivity of Aboriginal people will also be key influences on the regional innovation agenda. The absence of regionally based state universities presents another significant challenge for innovation in Regional WA . Regions do have to work creatively to achieve the desired innovation nexus of academia, business and government collaborations, needed to support the research and development agenda on ground and address the knowledge and skills challenges.

That said, WA’s regions offer some amazing opportunities to attract the world’s best to create ‘sandboxes’, which push the research and development agenda in the fields of renewable energy, resources, agriculture, marine science, space sciences, rural and remote heath delivery, to name a few. There are also specific research centres already on the ground throughout regional WA in recognition of this.

WA startups in the media

Sky the limit for WA Vertical Farm
WA company, Eden Towers Pty. Ltd. has secured a $200,000 grant that will allow for the research, development and commercialisation of an Australian-first vertical farming system. 
(Source: Startup News, January 2022)

WA startup Cognisium featured in recent Forbes article
WA startup Cognisium finds a mention in Forbes article, for adding value through its CEO and investment coaching.
(Source: Forbes, January 2022)

VentureX launches to support WA female founders
Five of WA's most experienced businesswomen have set up VentureX HQ- a new "dynamic, inclusive and education" network for female founders based in WA. 
(Source: Startup News, December 2021)

Opportunities & Events

iPREP Biosdesign is a program that aims to grow Australian industries by harnessing research excellence and to provide students with paid industry placements to gain a competitive advantage across a broad range of future career paths.

Round 1 industry applications close Wednesday 23 February 2022
Round 2 industry applications close Wednesday 10 August 2022

For more information: iPREP Biodesign (perthbiodesign.com.au)

WOMEN IN STEM AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROUND 4

Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants encourage participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics leading to STEM education and careers. 

Closing Date: Wednesday 02 March 2022, 05:00pm AEDT

For more information: Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Round 4 

ACCESS ASIA BUSINESS GRANTS 2022

Expressions of interest now open

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from export-ready Western Australian-owned and/or operated small and medium enterprises and organisations that want to advance their international business efforts in Asian markets.

Deadline: Friday 04 March 2022, 12:00pm

For more information: Access Asia Business Grants 2022

CLINICAL TRANSLATION AND COMMERCIALISATION-MEDTECH (CTCM)

Round 1 expressions of interest now open

The CTCM program can provide between $250,000 and $1.5 million to SMEs to support early clinical development of medical devices with commercial potential. 

Closing Date: Friday 11 March 2022, 04:00pm AEDT

For more information: CTCM Round One Funding Opportunity : MTPConnect

Don't miss the next WA MTP Sector Spotlight Event!

February's Spotlight features PYC Therapeutics (ASX: PYC) – offering a new generation of RNA therapeutics to meet unmet need in disease. 

Dr Rohan Hockings and Professor Sue Fletcher AO were part of the team who won the 2021 WA Innovator of the Year, a New Industries Fund program.

To join the conversation, REGISTER HERE

Join to be part of the conversation, be motivated to make a difference and be part of the solution that addresses two grand challenges: a more just and equitable world post COVID-19, and Climate Change. 

Location: The University Club of Western Australia
Date:       Wednesday 23 February 2022
Time:       09:00am to 02:30pm includes networking lunch
                (registrations open from 08:15am)

For more information: UWA Grand Challenges Summit

The Core Innovation Hot 30 2022 Awards are almost here!

The Hot 30 Awards exist to showcase the next generation of businesses who are successfully developing technology and using innovation to shape the future of their industries, today.

Date: Thursday 24 February 2022
Time: 04:30pm-07.30pm 
Place:191 St George's Terrace, Perth

To register your interest to attend, visit Core Innovation Hot 30 2022 Awards

SAVE THE DATE!
This exciting event will bring together up to 800 WA industry professionals and data science providers to explore how data science can be used for business growth.

Place: Pan Pacific Hotel, Perth WA

To secure your seat: REGISTER HERE