WA Innovation Calendar

[webinar] Introduction to the R&D Tax Incentive
2026-02-05 11:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Are you new to the Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI) program?
This introductory webinar on Thursday, 5 February will explain how the program works and what benefits it can offer your business.
What is covered:

the application process
how self-assessment works
eligibility of activities and expenditure
the importance of record-keeping to substantiate claims
how to access further support and resources.

Speakers include R&DTI program experts from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

WASEC Information Session
2026-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 | online, Australia
Held every second month, these sessions are your chance to connect, learn and share.
Get an inside look at WASEC, meet fellow social entrepreneurs, ask big questions, explore the world of social enterprise, and let WASEC know how they can better support your impact.

Freo Founders Sundowner @ National Hotel Rooftop Bar
2026-02-05 17:00 - 19:00 | The National Hotel, 98 High Street, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
This is a catchup for startup and tech founders who are keen to shoot the breeze with other founders whilst enjoying a drink and taking in the ambience of Fremantle.
This is a casual event with no agenda but with a mission to inspire and help founders grow their businesses by sharing successes, failures and a few laughs.
The group is open to startup founders and founders who have been there and done that, as well as those just starting out and looking for a group to learn from and vent with.

Wholesale Investor: Annual Investor Meetup
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Catch up with top investors and industry pros in Perth.
Join Steve Torso, Founder and CEO of Wholesale Investor and CapitalHQ, for an evening where he’ll share what he’s observing, reading, and experiencing firsthand – giving you the insights to position yourself ahead of the curve.
This intimate session is designed for sophisticated investors who want to understand where the opportunities are emerging and connect with like=minded investors in their city.
Register here: Wholesale Investor: Annual Investor Meetup

DEADLINE: Tech Ready Women Investment Ready Program
2026-02-06 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
An inclusive, accessible and supportive online program, equipping women with the skills, network and confidence to raise capital and take their innovative businesses to the next level.

This program gives you a clear, practical pathway to:

understand your funding options
prepare properly for investor conversations
build confidence in your pitch, financials and commercial story

So you can move toward capital with clarity, confidence and support!
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Westpac, there are 20 part-scholarships on offer for participants selected for the program. With this support, the $6,250+GST program fee has been heavily subsidised, leaving you to pay just $1,250+GST.
Learn more and apply before 6 Feb 2026: DEADLINE: Tech Ready Women Investment Ready Program

Perth City Founders Walk - February 2026
2026-02-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Quay Perth, 18 The Esplanade, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Walk. Talk. Connect. Join the Perth City Founders Walk and meet entrepreneurs, startup & scale-up founders, innovators and business leaders. 5km networking walk through the CBD & riverfront. Starting February 6th 2026 – Every Friday After, 3pm–4pm. $20 registration fee

World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC): 2030 Horizon
2026-02-08 08:00 - 2026-02-11 17:00 | Murdoch University, Australia
The World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC) in Western Australia has been a premier energy event since 1999, uniting industries, researchers, and policymakers. It is a major recognised forum for networking between these sectors. Hosted by Murdoch University, WREC fosters global collaboration on innovations and strategies for a zero-carbon future by 2030.
WREC offers a welcome reception, a Swan River gala dinner, and exclusive networking events. Attendees can join free field visits, technical tours, and expert-led instructional forums. This landmark event continues to drive impactful dialogue in renewable energy advancements.
The conference gives delegates the opportunity to either register physically attend or attend online. If a delegate registers to attend Perth and changes his/her mind and wishes to attend remotely then a refund, less a nominal fee, will be given. Conversely an online registration can be upgraded to a personal attendance.

World Renewable Energy Congress Lecture: Renewables Will Save The Planet: How?
2026-02-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Murdoch University, Australia
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, Australia
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

Spacecubed Breakfast Club, February 2026
2026-02-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Flux, 191 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA, Australia
Start your year with great coffee, meaningful conversations and new connections at our first Spacecubed Breakfast Club for 2026 – Valentines Day edition!
Join on Tuesday 10 February at FLUX, powered by Spacecubed, for a relaxed morning catch-up bringing together founders, freelancers, operators and teams from across our community. Whether you’re reconnecting after the break or meeting new faces for the first time, this is the perfect way to ease into the year ahead.
Come along to share what you’re working on, swap ideas, and build relationships, all over breakfast in one of Perth’s most dynamic coworking spaces.

WiTWA 101 Networking Event
2026-02-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Market Grounds, 10 Telethon Avenue, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Join for an evening of connection, collaboration, and community to kick off WiTWA’s 2026 events calendar.
This is your chance to be part of an inspiring and welcoming community, where women in technology and related fields come together to connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships to start the year strong.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Market Grounds, Perth WA

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.

Building with AI without breaking the product, the business or your reputation
2026-02-11 07:30 - 09:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Presented by: Amar Karisik, Made Apt
Morning Startup is a fortnightly morning catchup where founders, potential entrepreneurs and others in the startup community (VCs and Angels welcome) get together to learn something interesting, get feedback on idea, vent frustrations, and meet some new friends in the game.
Founders are using AI to brainstorm and plan to write code… and to make design work like graphics or artwork for their product. Eventually, the planning leads to legal or trust issues

2026 Perth Biodesign Flagship Program Info Session
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | online, Australia
​​​Thinking about applying for the Perth Biodesign 2026 Flagship program? Wondering if it’s right for you?
​​​You’ll learn all about the program structure, what’s involved, how past cohorts went, tips for the application process and the time commitment. You’ll also hear from Biodesign alumni about their experience!

Society for Underwater Technology February ETM
2026-02-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
February ETM – Data and Visual Analytics in Subsea Asset Management
This evening will focus on the following three topics:

Subsea Inspection Supported by AI Driven Computer Vision
Data and Visual Analytics in Subsea Asset Management
Vibration Sensor Data Analysis and Visualisation for Asset Management of Subsea Pipelines

Discovery Innovation Minerals Exploration (DIME) Seminar 2026
2026-02-12 08:30 - 18:30 | Fraser’s Kings Park, 60 Fraser Avenue, Perth, WA, 6005, Australia
Join CSIRO’s annual Discovery Innovation Minerals Exploration seminar (DIME) for Australia’s minerals industry.
Showcasing the latest scientific and technological advances in mineral exploration and ore deposits understanding, hear how innovative R&D is redefining how we discover and develop Australia’s resources.

GRDC Grains Research Update – Perth
2026-02-16 08:30 - 2026-02-17 17:00 | Optus Stadium, 333 Victoria Park Drive, Burswood, Western Australia, 6100, Australia
A two-day program showcasing the latest research, technology, market development and innovations to improve the productivity and profitability of the WA grains industry.
The 2026 Perth Update will be held on 16 and 17 February at Optus Stadium. The Grains Research Updates are a premier event in the WA grains industry calendar, with around 750 attending each year.

Business News 2026 Leaders Summit
2026-02-17 06:45 - 14:00 | The Westin, 4480 Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Building on the success of our renowned Business News Success and Leadership series, the Leaders Summit is designed for senior executives, entrepreneurs, and prominent decision-makers. This premier event will explore the critical challenges, emerging trends, and new opportunities shaping Western Australia’s business landscape.
Running as a half-day event, the summit begins with breakfast, followed by a thoughtfully curated program of keynote addresses, insightful interviews, and dynamic panel discussions featuring some of the state’s most respected leaders.
Don’t miss this exceptional chance to connect with Western Australia’s business community, gain valuable perspectives from leading voices, and strengthen your professional network across Perth’s corporate landscape.

Innovative engineering in practice across health and energy
2026-02-17 08:45 - 16:00 | Engineers Australia, 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Australia
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.

METS Space Cluster
2026-02-17 10:00 - 11:00 | online, Australia
Join Austmine and AROSE for the next meeting of the METS Space Cluster
Tuesday 17 Feb 2026 | 1pm – 2pm AEDT
This Cluster brings together professionals from Space/ METS and Mining to connect, share knowledge and insights and identify pathways for future collaboration.

“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, Australia
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.

Emergence 2026: Life Science Sydney Investor Day [online]
2026-02-18 06:00 - 14:00 | online, Australia
Life Sciences & MedTech Investor Focus
Day 1 is designed exclusively for investors seeking access to the next wave of medical technologies, biotechnologies, and pharmaceuticals that are shaping global healthcare.

MedTech innovation
Biotechnology breakthroughs
Pharmaceuticals & drug discovery
Digital health & AI in healthcare
Advanced diagnostics

Online registration is available via the CapitalHQ platform:

Livestreams of panel sessions, keynotes, and company presentations
Virtual deal rooms for presenting companies
A virtual networking zone to connect with other attendees, exhibitors, and speakers

Learn more and register: https://emergence.wholesaleinvestor.com/home

National Industry PhD Information Session
2026-02-18 11:50 - 13:30 | Curtin CBD Precinct, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Curtin University is hosting a National Industry PhD Information Session for industry partners, researchers and organisations interested in innovation, R&D and workforce development.
The National Industry PhD Program brings universities and businesses together to co-design research that tackles real-world challenges, embeds PhD candidates across both environments, and translates research into practical outcomes.
The session will cover:
• How the National Industry PhD Program works
• What’s required from industry partners
• Funding and eligibility considerations
• University support and candidate embedment
• Examples of current National Industry PhD projects
Register here: National Industry PhD Information Session at Curtin University, 18 Feb 2026

Aeroecology: challenges, opportunities and its societal relevance
2026-02-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Murdoch University, Australia
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.

Emergence 2026 Investment Conference [online]
2026-02-19 06:00 - 2026-02-20 14:00 | online, Australia
Emergence is a flagship annual conference, bringing together the largest gathering of investors and high-growth companies, exploring impactful themes that resonate with investors, Family Offices, Fund Managers and growth-oriented companies.
In 2026, Emergence events will unite over 2,000 high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional investors from across the ASEAN and UK regions, all seeking access to high-growth and high-yield investment opportunities.
Secure your Online Ticket to stream all presentations live. You’ll also gain access to the Virtual Networking Zone to connect and exchange ideas with attendees from anywhere in the world.

Fields & Fortunes- Regional Business Forum 2026
2026-02-19 08:30 - 17:00 | Gnowangerup Sporting Complex, Gnowangerup, WA, 6335, Australia
The Fields and Fortunes Regional Business Forum 2026 is a one-day event bringing together business owners, leaders, innovators and changemakers from across the Great Southern to connect, learn and explore how technology is shaping the next chapter of regional business.
With a strong focus on practical innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, this forum is designed to inspire, inform and equip regional businesses with tools and ideas they can apply immediately. Whether you’re running a small business, leading a team, working in agriculture, industry or services, or planning for future growth, this event will provide real-world insights tailored to regional contexts.
What makes this event special?

A high-calibre speaker lineup led by keynote speaker Julian Moore, one of Australasia’s leading experts in the practical application of AI
Industry experts covering connectivity, green technology, robotics, innovation and creative tech
Local case studies showcasing how technology is already being used successfully in regional businesses
Interactive discussions, networking opportunities and access to trade booths featuring innovative products and services
A welcoming regional setting with catering provided and time built in to connect with peers

Featured Speakers Include:

Julian Moore – Chief AI Consultant, Strategic Membership Solutions (Keynote)
Mat Lewis – Director, Creative Tech Village
Bethany Findlay – Regional Development & Engagement Manager, NBN
Jason McFarlane – Director, WA GreenTech Innovation Hub
Renu Kannu – National Robotics & Innovation Leader – Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (CORE Innovation Hub as Operator)
Plus local business case studies including Burke Perry from BP Imports

Learn more and register here: https://events.humanitix.com/fields-and-fortunes-regional-business-forum-2026

WA RNA Salon Seminar & Networking Event
2026-02-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Bayliss Building, UWA, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
Join for the first Seminar & networking event for 2026.
Guest speaker, Dr Selene Fernandez Valverde joins from Sydney.
Dr Fernandez is a genomic scientist and bioinformatician at the UNSW RNA Institute and School of Biotechnology and Biomecular Sciences where she leads the RegRNALab. Her research focuses on non-coding RNAs and their role in the evolution of gene regulatory landscapes within and across eukaryotes, with a strong focus on plants.
The catering has kindly been sponsored by Merck Life Sciences and the travel funding supported by ARC CoE Plants for Space, along with annual funding from the RNA Society and Lexogen.

Perth Landing Pad: Virtual Information Session
2026-02-19 16:00 - 16:45 | online, Australia
The Perth Landing Pad program is open year-round to companies from around the world, including startups, established businesses, SMEs and scale-ups. It is well suited to high-growth companies looking to expand into the APAC region, as well as SMEs seeking to enter and grow within the Australian market.
In this online information session we will share insights into what the program offers and how it supports international businesses on their expansion journey.

CORE Connect - February
2026-02-19 16:30 - 18:30 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Build It or Kill It is a CORE Connect event designed to help founders, operators and industry partners sense-check real ideas before investing more time, money or energy.
A small number of participants will put forward an idea they are genuinely unsure about, and the room will work through it together — pressure-testing assumptions from customer, buyer, operator and funding perspectives.
This is not a pitch night and there is no winner; the goal is clarity.
Attendees will gain practical insight into how ideas are evaluated in the real world, contribute their experience, and build meaningful connections through honest, useful conversation.

Seminar #1: The “stupid” decisions guaranteed to kill your startup
2026-02-20 12:30 - 13:30 | online, Australia
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.
