Opportunities for Innovators!

The hackathon will bring together industry professionals, academic experts, programmers and students to compile innovative, data-driven recommendations to consider opportunities to improve the efficiency of Southern Ports’ iron ore loading circuit.

The government-owned Authority operates three ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance, with a combined trade of more than 36 million tonnes. Last year alone, more than 8.5 million tonnes of iron ore was exported from the Port of Esperance.

Western Australian start-ups and small businesses are invited to apply for an Innovation Booster Grant to help get their ideas off the ground.

Designed to give innovators a leg up on the path to commercialisation grants are awarded in the following categories:

· Research and development;

· Product development;

· Technology transfer and intellectual property; and

· Commercialisation Support Services.

Applications close on 15 March 2023. More information and How To Apply

Are you looking to grow your Food or Beverage manufacturing business?

Do you need expertise in the areas of business planning, manufacturing for growth, sales & marketing, financial health or environmental sustainability?

Eligible businesses can apply for up to two vouchers with a combined maximum value of $15 000 to engage a consultant or technical expert.

Vouchers will be offered on a competitive basis and require a dollar-for-dollar co-contribution.

For more information and to start your application visit the WA Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program website.

Applications close 5pm Monday 27 March 2023.

We are pleased to annouce Innovation Cluster as a recipient of the X-TEND WA program, recently announced by the Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Innovation and ICT.

Recipients deliver innovator and/or investor educational programs that support the development of entrepreneurs and stimulate private investment in innovative projects in Western Australia.
Innovation Cluster will be opening CONNECT Sustainable Industries soon which will provide regional focused support for entrepreneurs in the sustainable industries and future energy sector. Interested in applying for the program? Please contact us.

2023 has been non-stop for us as a new provider of the Australian Government's Workforce Australia for Business Entrepreneurship Facilitator (EF) Program! It has been an honour to have the opportunity to help start-ups and micro-business through this free support service.
We launched our EF video series, online workshops including financial resilience, time and stress management, creating your company vision and mission that aligns with core values, and more Health & Wellbeing Cluster events. It is fantastic to have so many entrepreneurial minds in the room supporting each other on the rollercoaster ride that is the self-employment journey. If you are interested in learning more about this free service, or to access a 1:1 in-person or online appointment please complete the 'Get in Touch' form

The state-of-the-art Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia based in Peel - known as ‘Mereny Bidi Boodja’ which means ‘food, pathway, land/country’ in the local Noongar language- is an ecosystem for innovation in the agriculture and food spaces. It is made up of a food and beverage production centre with a food technology facility, an Innovation Centre and a Research and Development Centre.
The precinct is open to interested parties throughout WA, interstate and overseas from the commercial, public and academic domains to advance and accelerate agrifood food and beverage innovations aiming to capture new market demand. More info

Western Australia's emerging creative and immersive technology industries have received a boost, with the official launch of the State's first Creative Tech Innovation Hub.

The WA Creative Technology Innovation Hub (WACTIH) is a State-wide network which will bring together and support tech creatives both online and in person at its headquarters in Bunbury.

The hub aims to build industry partnerships with regional innovation hubs, the startup community and the education sector. A first for the State, the Hub will be focused on supporting creative industries such as design, music, advertising, film, and media, as well as emerging technologies including gaming, digital software development and immersive technology.

The CONNECT Sustainable Industries program has supported 12 businesses focused on sustainability from across the state, from Broome to the Great Southern. Several of our alumni were selected to receive $2000 in support to participate at AgriFutures Australia's evokeAG 2023 Down to Earth conference in Adelaide on February 21 and 22, the Asia Pacific region's largest agrifood tech event, examining the future possibilities of agrifood technology and investment. 👉 More info here: https://loom.ly/O_a_5N0

📷 Source and Photo: DPIRD [evokeAG participants with DPIRD Director General Heather Brayford and DPIRD staff.]

The SET is a vibrant co-working space for entrepreneurs to connect.
The building features individual offices, hotdesks, meeting spaces and a modern training room with video conferencing facilities for workshops with up to 20 people and event space for up to 50.
The SET provides content creation facilities at an affordable rate, including rodecaster podcast with 4 mics and headphones; green screen, lights and camera for filming. More info and bookings
Photo: A visit from staff of Indonesia's Singhasari SEZ, who have partnered with WACTIH for its first international initiative.