West Aussie innovators are invited to submit their applications to the WA Innovators of the Year Awards.
The annual competition has been highlighting some of the state’s most inventive products and companies, and shining a bright light on the founders and innovators behind them. Now in its 18th year, previous award winners have included Portable PPB, Earflo, innovation Energy Solutions, Mining & Process Solutions and many, many more. You can see last year’s winners here.
What’s new this year
There are a few changes to the WA Innovators of the Year awards this year.
Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson told Startup News, “It is exciting that this year the prize pool has an extra $20,000 and there will be additional awards, boosting it from 6 to 8, including a government category, which means more businesses and innovators can receive the recognition they deserve.”
Firstly, the overall prize pool has been increased to a record $240,000.
Along with the extra prize money, additional awards have been announced with the total number of innovators acknowledged rising from six to eight.
Together with the Emerging (pre-revenue) and Growth (post-revenue) category winners, there will be two runners-up, and three additional awards in new energy, well-being, and ‘Great for the State’. These seven award recipients will share in the $240,000 prize pool.
A brand-new category, ‘Government Innovator of the Year’, has been added, to acknowledge innovative public servants who create novel products, services, technology, and innovations as part of their work that improve and value add to public service delivery.
Important dates and how you can apply
This year’s finalists will be announced in August. The finalists will then participate in an accelerator program to help them grow their ideas and business.
A ceremony to announce the winners of WA Innovators of the Year 2024 will be held in October.
“I encourage any Western Australian innovators to consider applying for the awards program. It is a fantastic opportunity to not only boost your business but also receive some real hands-on support to take your innovation to the next level” Minister Dawson added.
Applications close at 11:00 am AWST on Friday, May 31st.
More information can be found here and you can submit an application here.
