Accelerating sports technology & innovation in WA

This panel session explores the theme of accelerating sports technology innovation in Australia (and more specifically WA), with a focus on funding and support programs for startups.

Australia has developed one of the leading sports innovation ecosystems in the world – from world-class facilities and major sports events, to leading sports science, sports systems & pathway programs. Despite this, Australia’s sportstech investment market has historically been immature, meaning that capital raising and support for startups have been challenging and often opportunistic. However, the landscape is changing. In the last few years the industry is starting to attract a pool of sophisticated investors, there has been the emergence startup programs that better cater for the specific needs of the sportstech and health tech sectors, and government is taking a greater lead on supporting local startup communities.

In the panel session we will hear insights from key stakeholders supporting the next-generation of innovators – from experienced early-stage investors, startup program leads, government, researchers to founders that have raised investment. We will also explore the emergence of Western Australia’s early-stage investment funding landscape and hear from key stakeholders leading the local eco-system.

Panel Members:
* Derek Gerrard – Director at Purpose Ventures
* Oliver Bazzanni – Mentor / Investor at Startmate & Program Designer at Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program
* Will Poot – Co-Founder at Omni Biotech
* Sandra Draper – Manager Innovation, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science & Innovation at State Government of Western Australia

Moderator – Craig Hill – Co-Founder at Australian Sports Technologies Network & Advisor in ASTN Accelerator and ASTN-GSIC Pre-Accelerator Programs