WA Innovation Calendar

Future in Question
2025-12-09 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Bloom Centre for Youth Innovation, 2 Park Road, Crawley, WA, 6009
Future in Question is a live, unscripted conversation where two seasoned technologists cut through the noise to unpack what’s really at stake. No hype, no fluff — just sharp insights, big questions, and honest takes on the future of AI.
Expect a mix of deep technical context, accessible discussion, and audience Q&A, followed by networking with WA’s innovation community.
This satellite event brings one of the most urgent conversations of our time into the heart of West Tech Fest: the societal impact of AI. By sparking dialogue between builders, researchers, founders, policymakers, and students, we’ll explore both the promise and perils of emerging technologies — and what it all means for WA’s future.
Speakers
Jeroen Van Dalen | Founder & AI Technologist | CEO @ Integral | CPO @ Able | Startups via AITIA & Bloom
Aidan Morgan | Fractional CTO at Run Level Five | Former Principal TPM @ Atlassian | Startup VP/CTO/Founder

Quantum Internet Summit
2025-12-10 08:30 - 13:00 | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
In an age where AI can fake almost anything — from voices to “breaking news” — and trust online is collapsing, the Quantum Internet promises something revolutionary: a network of proof, where authenticity and identity are guaranteed by the laws of physics, not algorithms or corporations.
The Quantum Internet Summit – Perth 2025 organised by the Western Australia Web3 Association together with Quantum Australia and UWA as a satellite event of the West Tech Fest – marks the world’s first gathering dedicated to the next great leap in communication technologies and digital economy. Quantum Internet is a revolutionary step that could transform our world and ignite a new multi-trillion-dollar global economy built on trust, security, and sovereignty, as never experienced before. It promises ultra-secure communication, super-powered computation, and unprecedented sensing capabilities transforming all sectors.
You will learn what quantum internet is and why it is so exciting; have a quick intro to quantum tech in plain language; learn about the opportunities in the new quantum-digital diversified economy for individuals, investors, businesses, entrepreneurs ($funding opportunities), corporations and governments; connect with innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the field. Hear how quantum will change web3, blockchain and all other sectors. You will also hear about the exciting vision for Quantum R&D and innovation revolutionising and diversifying the Western Australian economy.
Entrepreneurs (including creatives) and researchers who explore quantum or quantum related projects will learn about exciting funding opportunities with Quantum Australia!

Show us the Data: Building a Fairer Funding System
2025-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 | The Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI), Level 1, 22 Stirling Highway Nedlands, WA 6009, 6009, Australia
Show Us the Data: WA Roundtable at West Tech Fest
Moving from anecdote to evidence.
Who’s getting funded – and who’s missing out – is only half the story.
Right now, Australia lacks visibility into the pipeline that shapes those outcomes.
Join Equity Clear for the WA Roundtable of our national Show Us the Data series, as we bring investors, accelerators, policymakers and ecosystem leaders together to ask:

What would it take for the investment sector to start tracking its diversity pipeline?
How can we build the infrastructure for fairer, more transparent funding flows?

Who should attend

Venture capital, private equity and angel investors
Accelerators, incubators, and venture builders
Government and policy leaders shaping innovation and inclusion
Family offices, foundations, and ecosystem enablers
Anyone committed to making Australia’s funding landscape fairer and more transparent

Tranche Two Unlocked: Tech Solutions for Accountants
2025-12-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Automation Unlocked: Tech Solutions for Modern Accountants

Join Personr and Sustainable Edge Accounting & Advisory for an exclusive event on how technology is transforming compliance and helping accountants prepare for Australia’s Tranche Two AML/CTF reforms. Featuring a panel discussion and networking session, this event will spotlight Personr’s WA-built innovation, a solution redefining how accounting and regulated industries manage compliance, streamline onboarding, and protect client trust.
Why attend:

Get Tranche Two ready: Understand what the new AML/CTF obligations mean for accountants and how technology can make compliance simple and sustainable.
Leverage local innovation: Discover how Personr, a Western Australian technology company, is empowering accountants to automate risk checks, save time, and stay audit-ready.
Connect and collaborate: Meet founders, compliance leaders, and forward-thinking professionals shaping the future of financial and professional services.
Explore the intersection of tech and trust: Learn how innovation in RegTech is driving growth and resilience across Australia’s most dynamic industries.
Have the chance to win a door prize!

Entangled Workshop - Connecting Quantum Researchers with Entrepreneurs
2025-12-10 13:00 - 16:00 | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of quantum research and entrepreneurship at the Entangled Workshop.
A Satellite Event of West Tech Fest – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/entangled-workshop-connecting-quantum-researchers-with-entrepreneurs-tickets-1831479487449

[UIIN Webinar] A Living Lab for Entrepreneurship: Inside H-FARM’s Innovation Campus
2025-12-10 22:00 - 22:30 | online
How do you turn entrepreneurship education into ventures that land real corporate pilots — and do it in a way that fuels regional innovation? In this Fireside Chat, Timothy O’Connell, Senior Partner at H-FARM and Director of its Entrepreneurship & Startup Center, takes us inside Europe’s leading campus where education, startups and corporates co-exist.
Drawing on H-FARM’s experience bridging academia, venture creation, and industry innovation, Tim will share how his team develops “pilot-ready” ventures directly out of coursework, and how their Veneto-based ecosystem has become a launchpad for startups, corporates, and talent alike.

Accelerating Innovation Systems: how ICBs can drive innovation adoption
2025-12-11 18:30 - 19:30 | online
Innovation Unit will unpack their work with The Health Foundation and nine ICBs across the country. They have been exploring how strategic commissioning can be used to accelerate evidence-based innovations that reduce inequalities and improve lives.
This session is designed for those doing the work moving beyond the theory to share practical insights on:

Embedding innovation in commissioning cycles
Leveraging the wider innovation ecosystem
Real-world examples of successful adoption

KPMG High Growth Ventures: The Exit Readiness Gap
2026-01-28 07:00 - 08:00 | online
​On Wednesday, 28 January 2026 (10:00AM – 11:00am AEDT), KPMG will launch their KPMG High Growth Venture Exit Readiness Gap Report with a live webinar with key insiders on the topic to open up the conversation and share actionable ways to build towards successful outcomes.
In this session, hear about:

Why exits stay in the shadows: and the ecosystem‑level impact of that silence
Making exit planning a standing agenda item: practical steps across financial, legal, strategic, and governance disciplines
Rebuilding the exit flywheel; how better preparation recycles capital and talent while strengthening resilience, and improving outcomes for founders, teams, investors and the broader ecosystem

You’ll hear real talk from three operators and advisors on their insights and honest advice they wish they’d had sooner, plus a first look into data‑backed insights that reveal where readiness most often breaks down and how to fix it.

How Meshpoints is building a thriving WA innovation ecosystem
2026-02-04 07:30 - 09:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
In this session, Charlie Gunningham, Head of Ecosystem Engagement at Meshpoints, will outline how the next phase of Meshpoints will operate, building on the foundations of 2022–2025.
This includes:

Refreshed funding opportunities for the ecosystem
New ways for partner organisations and individuals to contribute and collaborate

There will be time for open Q&A, followed by an optional 90-minute workshop (9:00–10:30am) for those who want to dive deeper into the first upcoming funding round. Applications for this round will open on 4 February 2026.
This session is ideal for founders, ecosystem builders, community leaders, and organisations interested in shaping the future of innovation in WA.

TERN Webinar - Lifelines in the Desert – the critical role of oases in biodiversity and heritage
2026-02-04 13:00 - 14:00 | online
This webinar brings together leading experts to explore the multifaceted value of Australia’s desert springs and oases, examining both the challenges they face and innovative approaches to their conservation.
Speakers will discuss the ecological significance of these systems, their role in supporting biodiversity resilience, and practical management strategies being implemented across the continent.

From Vision to Approval: Building the Right Regulatory & Clinical Evidence
2026-02-05 07:30 - 09:30 | Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6000, Australia
Join the Respiradigm team with guest speaker Hugo LeMessurier for a candid & insightful discussion on regulatory & clinical trials strategy.
In this panel, Respiradigm will share what the team is building and why a robust regulatory and clinical trials strategy is non‑negotiable if you want to move fast without costly missteps.
Expect a candid discussion focused on clarity, sequencing, and capital efficiency, so the next steps are the right steps.

World Renewable Energy Congress Lecture: Renewables Will Save The Planet: How?
2026-02-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Murdoch University
Join Professor Peter Newman for this WREC 2026 public lecture exploring the global and local impacts of our transition to renewable energy
We open the 2026 World Renewable Energy Congress at Murdoch University with a public lecture from Professor Peter Newman AO, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University exploring the topic ‘Renewables Will Save the World: How?’ This lecture is open to the public, not just conference delegates.

Webinar: The Smart Processing Mine
2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:00 | online
Join Austmine on Monday 9 February as we continue the series with The Smart Processing Mine. Learn how AI, automation, and digital solutions are helping miners maximise yield and optimise plant performance in this session.
Monday 9 February 2026 | 11:00AM AWST

Our Ocean, Our Future: A Conversation with Mr Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean
2026-02-10 18:00 - 19:30 | The University Club of WA, Ground Floor Auditorium, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
The UWA Oceans Institute is pleased to welcome Mr Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, for a public address on the ‘Oceans health and what we are trying to do to fix it’.
Mr Thomson will deliver a personal address on the health of the ocean, the pressures it faces, and the actions required to reverse decline and secure a sustainable and resilient future. The address will be followed by a panel discussion with Professor Christophe Gaudin (Director, UWA Oceans Institute) and special guests, and an audience Q&A.

Innovative engineering in practice across health and energy
2026-02-17 08:45 - 16:00 | Engineers Australia, 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth
This full-day event showcases how innovative engineering is being applied across diverse sectors, from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to energy infrastructure.
The morning sessions focus on bioengineering, highlighting the critical role biomedical and clinical engineers play in patient care within Western Australia’s public health system. Through real-world case studies, presenters will demonstrate how advanced design, analysis and rehabilitation technologies are improving clinical outcomes, supporting surgeons and care teams, and enabling patients with complex needs to return meaningfully to the community.
By attending this presentation, attendees will:

understand how bioengineering and rehabilitation technologies are applied in clinical environments to improve patient care and outcomes
recognise the role of additive manufacturing as a complementary tool in modern manufacturing, enabling new design and production opportunities
gain insight into transmission line planning and infrastructure developments required to support increasing renewable energy penetration in Western Australia
appreciate how technological advances have transformed anaesthesia practice, highlighting the intersection of engineering, physics and healthcare.

“Solving the wicked problem of the gap from research to translation”- Dr. Noel Chambers, CEO, National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation
2026-02-17 10:30 - 11:30 | QEII Medical Centre, Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009
Learn about NFMRI’s strategy, grants and processes. With a focus on supporting translation across the ‘valley of death’, NFMRI CEO, Dr. Noel Chambers will explain how research applicants can increase their chances of success when applying for NFMRI support.
This is an interactive presentation which explores current philanthropic giving/culture and expectations. It will address early translational research pathways, gaps and how NFMRI’s strategy supports preclinical research to become attractive and competitive when seeking next-step partners that can bring your innovations to communities in need.

Aeroecology: challenges, opportunities and its societal relevance
2026-02-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Murdoch University
University of Amsterdam Professor Judy Shamoun-Baranes shares insights from her study of Aeoecology and its relevance in society.
The first event as part of the Murdoch University HBI Visiting Scholar Lecture Series
Through several examples of long term collaboration and societal engagement, Judy will demonstrate how they have used aeroecological research to sup-port aviation safety, the energy transition and inspire fascination and appreciation for life in the air.

Seminar #1: The “stupid” decisions guaranteed to kill your startup
2026-02-20 12:30 - 13:30 | online
Join us for this brutally honest, highly practical webinar built around real world case studies of founders who did everything they thought was right… and still walked away with scars, sunk costs, and very expensive lessons. This is your chance to learn from their stories so you don’t repeat the same errors.
Guess what? You’re not special. You are in the same situation as every innovator who came before you – including the 90% who didn’t make it.
We cut through the buzz and hype to focus on what actually matters: translating excitement into decisions that hold up in the real world.
We’re not promising you’ll be a unicorn by Tuesday. What we are promising is a clear eyed look at exactly how most startups fail, so you don’t have to repeat their mistakes.
Friday, 20 Feb | 12:30pm – 1:3opm AWST | ONLINE | Register here
About the presenter
Stephen Carroll is a 25-year startup veteran who has seen the good, the bad, and the very ugly of Innovation. Thousands of startups and innovation projects have crossed his desk, giving him a unique insight into the patterns that drive success and the pitfalls that lead to failure.
In this session, Stephen shares the common mistakes founders can avoid and the smart, grounded decisions that separate those who survive from those who don’t.

What Investors Want: Capital Raising in 2026
2026-02-23 08:00 - 09:00 | online
What are investors looking for in 2026?
​The bar for capital raising has never been higher. With greater competition, and AI making timelines from MVP to market much faster, the funding landscape for 2026 looks very different from even a few years ago. For funding, this means increased selectivity, heightened due diligence and a focus on clear pathways to revenue, adding new pressure for founders.
​So what do founders need to know? And what do investors really want? Join us online this February 23rd as we pick the brains of two investors and a KPMG specialist to unpack what they’re looking for in 2026.
​This session is designed to give founders the insights and practical actions they need to prepare for the funding environment in the year ahead.
​You’ll hear from:

​Andrew Poesaste, Partner at Rampersand

​Justine Carzino, Investment Principal at OneVentures

​Sarah Josey, KPMG Partner who has helped early‑stage startups raise with confidence on what she’s hearing on the ground

Hydrogen Pathways: Scaling the Value Chain for a Net-Zero Industry
2026-02-24 10:00 - 11:30 | online
On 24 February, from 10:00 to 11:30 CET, the Net-Zero Industries Mission (NIM), the Alliance for Industry Decarbonisation (AFID), and the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) will jointly host a webinar dedicated to the hydrogen value chain.
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of how hydrogen ecosystems are being developed and scaled, with a particular focus on hydrogen valleys, transport infrastructure, and storage solutions.
Participants will gain insights into key technologies, flagship projects, and collaborative initiatives and funding that demonstrate how interconnected hydrogen systems can enable large-scale industrial deployment. By showcasing practical approaches and real-world examples, the webinar will highlight how hydrogen can move from pilot projects to a cornerstone of regional and industrial decarbonisation strategies.
Join us to explore how integrated hydrogen value chains can accelerate the clean energy transition, strengthen energy security, and enhance the competitiveness of net-zero industries.

An evening with John Van Der Wielen, FHRI Fund Advisory Council Chair
2026-02-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6000, Australia
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub is delivering an exciting Spotlight event in February featuring John Van Der Wielen, Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council Chair. The FHRI Fund is a major WA Government initiative, backed by sovereign wealth, to fund health and medical research, innovation, and commercialisation.
Join John and our Director Stakeholder Engagement Dr Tracey Wilkinson as they discuss the Fund’s new strategy, new programs (including the Spotlight program focused on rheumatic heart disease), reflections on the first four years of the Fund and what success looks like for the next four years.
Learn more and register here: An evening with John Van Der Wielen, FHRI Fund Advisory Council Chair

Humans Behind Tech: John Sinistaj - CTO, AFL
2026-02-25 15:00 - 16:00 | online
Where technology meets the humans who make it work – ACS x What The Heck Is Tech Series
Join ACS, the AFL and What the Heck is Tech for a fast-paced webinar featuring an insider perspective from one of Australia’s most high-performance organisations. Hear directly from John Sinistaj as they unpack how technology powers performance, security, data and fan experiences across the AFL – often under intense pressure and at national scale.
From elite performance and fan engagement to data, cybersecurity and digital platforms, this session will explore how technology quietly enables the AFL to operate at scale, adapt quickly and deliver seamless experiences on and off the field. The conversation will highlight real-world applications of technology and the critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration required to make it all work.
Designed to be informative, approachable and practical, this webinar will unpack complex tech concepts through lived examples, celebrate the impact of everyday technical expertise, and connect those insights to broader industry and career pathways. It’s a reminder of how much modern organisations rely on skilled professionals who keep systems running, innovating and evolving – often out of the spotlight.

End of Life and Decommissioning
2026-02-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000
Speakers from Centre of Decommissioning Australia, Synergy and SIA Partners join together to discuss best practices for responsibly retiring renewable energy assets and traditional infrastructure. This session highlights the growing need for structured end of life strategies as fleets mature and regulatory expectations evolve.
Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/end-of-life-and-decommissioning-tickets-1982249183669

KA-BLUEY - Tales of an explosive success story
2026-02-26 17:00 - 19:00 | The Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI), Level 1, 22 Stirling Highway Nedlands, WA 6009, 6009, Australia
Join CERI for an exclusive webinar with Kate O’Connor, the strategic mind behind Bluey’s meteoric growth, from beloved Aussie icon to a $4B global brand.
Learn how she built Bluey into what it is today, as the strategic backbone of the brand for six years. Find out how she created optimal value, how she knew when to say yes and when to say no, forged beneficial partnerships that many saw as impossible and was forward-thinking enough to spot the opportunities of a lifetime.
How does this relate to a startup in WA? Kate knows how to see all that is possible and build from there. After founding Magic Sprinkle in 2025, Kate has worked with a range of clients in a range of industries and stages of growth. This is your chance to learn from an expert on everything brand and commercial strategy. Learn how to find and navigate golden opportunities, utilise your IP and transform a good brand into an exceptional one.

Blocksquare: Liquidity Unlocked
2026-02-26 17:30 - 19:00 | Quay Perth, 18 The Esplanade, Perth, WA, 6000
Liquidity Unlocked: How to stake real estate on Oceanpoint.fi
Learn where real estate tokenization is heading in 2026 and beyond. Learn how to stake real estate on Oceanpoint.fi and help support marketplaces launching using Blocksquare technology.
Connect with investors, marketplace operators, and builders in the RWA space.
Get inspired by local and global success stories from the Blocksquare ecosystem.
Whether you’re in real estate, finance, blockchain and crypto or Web3, this is your opportunity to engage with pioneers leading the tokenization movement.
This event is made possible thanks to the support of our ambassadors:
Orange Brick Road, TecStack, Story Community Downunder and Spektrumlab Pty Ltd.

Circular Design & Innovation: Empowering the Commercial Transition ahead of Climate Action Week
2026-02-27 08:00 - 09:00 | online
Businesses are consuming more resources than ever — yet waste, inefficiency and lost value remain built into how many products and systems are designed. As pressure mounts from climate targets, procurement expectations and rising costs, circular design is no longer a niche sustainability concept, but a commercial imperative.
This webinar explores how circular thinking can be applied across design, materials and business models to unlock efficiency, reduce waste and create long-term value. From early design decisions through to production, use and end-of-life, the session will unpack how designers and businesses can move beyond linear approaches and embed circular principles in ways that are practical, scalable and commercially viable.
Join us for a grounded, real-world discussion featuring practitioners working at the intersection of innovation, design and sustainability. Through case studies, lived experience and panel discussion, speakers will share what’s working, what’s challenging, and where the biggest opportunities lie for organisations ready to transition from intention to action.

Smart Systems Engineering for Sustainable Networks
2026-03-04 10:30 - 12:00 | online
In recognition of World Engineering Day (WED) 2026, join us in celebrating Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future Through Innovation and Digitalisation.
This panel discussion explores how smart systems, AI, and real-time data are being applied across transport, energy, water, and built assets to create sustainable, resilient, and high-performing infrastructure networks. The session brings together leading experts in systems engineering, digital advisory, and complex infrastructure integration to share practical insights, emerging digital practices, and lessons learned from real-world applications.
The discussion will highlight:

how systems engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) underpin smart, resilient infrastructure
the role of digital intelligence, AI, and real-time data in optimising asset performance and sustainability
socio-technical considerations, organisational barriers, and governance challenges in digital transformation
practical approaches for embedding emerging digital engineering practices into legacy systems

Transforming How Industries Connect
2026-03-04 17:15 - 19:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
The difficulty of getting independent systems to share data and work together — the interoperability challenge — has been navigated ad hoc for decades, but the problem continues to grow. And while industry change is never easy, the time is right for a more complete and audacious vision.
Tim will introduce us to an innovative open and federated platform, rooted in DevOps and Agile principles, that is designed to help organisations address interoperability challenges in ever more complex environments. This platform, and the approach behind it, is currently being considered by a federal industry body to support upcoming conformance testing challenges.

Women in Data Science (WiDS) Perth 2026
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:30 | UWA Oceans Institute, Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009
The University of Western Australia, in collaboration with the UWA Data Institute and Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, is excited to bring you Women in Data Science (WiDS) Perth 2026.
Our expert panel of leading WA-based data science experts will share their different stories and perspectives on what it takes to build a successful career in data science. Our panel discussion will be followed by Q&A and light refreshments with networking.

Women in Energy: Balancing the Scales: It’s Time to Break Down the Barriers
2026-03-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Ernst & Young, 11 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Join Women in Energy Perth for their 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.
An engaging International Women’s Day panel sharing journeys of change, breaking barriers, and shaping a more balanced future for all.
