Western Australia’s program providers that upskill entrepreneurs and investors can now apply for grants of up to $300,000 through the newly rebranded Innovation Pathways Program, which has more than doubled its total funding pool to $2 million.
Previously known as X-TEND, the program has been restructured to provide more targeted support for accelerator programs alongside entrepreneur and investor education initiatives. Maximum grant amounts have increased from $150,000 to $300,000 for accelerator programs and to $200,000 for entrepreneur or investor programs.
The expanded funding aims to support startups in becoming investment-ready, equip entrepreneurs with commercialisation and scaling skills, and better inform investors, thereby increasing the capital available to WA’s innovation ecosystem.
Reduced matched funding for underrepresented groups
A significant change to the program is the reduction in matched funding requirements from 50% to 25% for programs that target regional, First Nations, and female participants. This change is designed to make it easier for organisations to deliver programs that support underrepresented groups in the startup ecosystem.
The Innovation Pathways Program builds on the foundation of X-TEND, which, over the past four years, invested more than $3 million into education programs for the innovation sector to increase skills and capacity.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the changes would open new possibilities for Western Australian innovators.
“The Innovation Pathways Program is the Cook Government’s next generation of X-TEND grants and will now be able to fund even more support programs for local innovators,” Dawson said.
“With maximum grants being doubled from $150,000 to $300,000, a lot of new possibilities are opened for WA innovators and the great work they do.”
Strengthening WA’s innovation ecosystem
The minister emphasised the program’s role in building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem in Western Australia.
“Increasing the number of investment-ready startups and strengthening the skills of founders and investors moves WA closer to a globally competitive innovation ecosystem, strengthens the State’s future economy, and creates new high-value jobs,” Dawson said.
Grant-funded programs will focus on three key areas: supporting startups to become investor-ready, providing entrepreneurs with the skills needed to commercialise and scale their businesses, and educating investors to increase the capital available to WA’s innovation sector.Program providers interested in applying can find more information and application details at the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification website.
