DEADLINE: TARA Awards
2026-03-31 08:00 - 09:00 (Australia/Perth) | Apply online, Australia
A Bloom Capital initiative celebrating first-generation migrant business owners who have built something real in Australia.
The Tara Award exists to recognise business owners who started without established networks, without inherited shortcuts, and often without a safety net. And yet they make up a significant share of regional Australia’s most driven and resilient small business community.
The winner receives:
-$5,000 cash grant
-$5,000 in strategic business advisory from Soul House Australia
-Mentoring and strategy sessions
-A feature story across the Bloom Capital and Soul House Australia networks
To be eligible, applicants need to:
-Be a first-generation migrant- born outside Australia and living here now
-Be the founder, owner, or director of their business
-Have a registered Australian business with at least 12 months of trading
Registrations close 31 March 2026

Making the Right Call: Mastering the Bid / No-Bid Decision
2026-03-31 09:30 - 10:15 | online, Australia
You’re invited to Tender Relief’s exclusive webinar: Making the Right Call – Mastering the Bid / No-Bid Decision
Join Eliza for this essential session that tackles one of the most important – and most overlooked – decisions in tendering: whether to bid at all. We’ll equip you with a structured, repeatable framework to evaluate opportunities objectively, allocate your resources where they matter most, and stop wasting time on bids you were never going to win.
In this 45-minute webinar, expect a structured, high-impact agenda designed for busy BD professionals and tendering teams who want to pursue the right opportunities and walk away from the wrong ones with confidence.

OMRI Speaker Series: WA Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram
2026-03-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Department of Health, 189 Royal Street, East Perth, WA, 6004, Australia
The Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) is pleased to host the inaugural event in its new OMRI Speaker Series, featuring Western Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram, on Tuesday 31 March 2026.
This event marks the launch of a new Speaker Series designed to provide a regular forum for thought leadership, discussion and sector‑wide engagement across Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation ecosystem.
The inaugural session will feature the WA Chief Scientist in conversation, focusing on the future of health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia. The discussion will explore emerging priorities, opportunities and challenges, and the role of collaboration across government, research, industry and the health system in delivering impact for the community.
We encourage participation either in person or online. The event will be delivered as a hybrid session, with opportunities for both in‑room and virtual engagement. Please select which session you will be attending. Links to the livestream will be sent to online registrants closer to the event date.

CORE Community Coffee
2026-04-01 10:00 - 11:00 | CORE Innovation Hub, 191 St. Georges Terrrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Join CORE Innovation Hub for a coffee and a chat and meet the local Perth energy and mining ecosystem.
Community Coffee is a great way to meet local innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs working to solve some of the big challenges. This is your opportunity to connect with CORE members and guests and find out more about the opportunities and the challenges within the sector.

HARVEST 2026 AgTech Accelerator Info Session: Insights & Opportunities
2026-04-01 11:00 - 12:00 | online, Australia
This session will provide an overview of HARVEST Agtech Accelerator program. Hear direct from our alumni and ask questions to see if program is right for you and learn about other business support options for agtech startups.
Background information on HARVEST here

Sector Briefing: The Future of Resources
2026-04-01 11:45 - 15:00 | Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Perth, WA, Australia
Sector Briefing: The Future of Resources, will examine the key opportunities and challenges shaping the mining sector in 2026.
This exclusive event will feature a keynote from Hon. David Michael MLA. Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Finance; Electoral Affairs; Goldfields-Esperance as well as panels featuring senior executives from major global producers, leading operators, and prominent contractors to share their perspectives on market outlooks, project pipelines, workforce pressures and the path to decarbonisation.

E3 Connect April: Building Partnerships: Connecting with Industry
2026-04-01 13:00 - 14:00 | online, Australia
Building Partnerships: Connecting with Industry
Learn practical approaches for building meaningful, sustainable partnerships between schools and industry that lead to authentic learning experiences. This session explores how partnerships can be designed, aligned to curriculum, and leveraged to enhance relevance, engagement, and real-world learning for students.
The 2026 E3 Connect Series is bought to you in collaboration with the Australian Secondary Schools Principals Association as part of our two year Entrepreneurial Schools Project funded by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.

DEADLINE: WAITTA INCITE Project Award Nominations
2026-04-07 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
Western Australia’s premier technology innovation awards, INCITE showcases and supports the technology sector. The 35-year-old program provides an exclusive pathway to the Australian iAwards and international Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA).
The WAITTA Awards were established in 1991 with the intention of recognising outstanding performance and contributions by members of the ICT and telecommunications community in Western Australia. Today, that purpose and mission has evolved to the technology industry and community at-large.
Learn more and nominate here: https://www.inciteawards.org.au/

Morning Startup: Why Turning Down Investment is a Good Thing
2026-04-08 07:30 - 09:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Kate co-founded PlayIndies through a chance connection with her now co-founder, where they quickly realised they were both independently planning to build the same kind of platform. Rather than compete, they took a leap of trust and decided to build it together, despite starting as complete strangers.
Over the past 20 months, they have built PlayIndies from the ground up while working across a significant time zone difference, balancing full-time work and consulting contracts to fund development. Along the way, they navigated setbacks, including costly contractor missteps, but remained committed to building the platform independently despite investor interest.
Now on the brink of soft launch, PlayIndies represents a shared vision shaped by persistence, trust, and a deep understanding of the challenges indie developers face and how to provide a meaningful solution.

DEADLINE: Nature Inspiring Women in Science Awards
2026-04-08 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Inspiring Women in Science awards celebrate and support the achievements of women in science and all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subject and stay in STEM careers around the world.
Learn about the awards and nominate by 8 April: https://www.nature.com/immersive/inspiringwomeninscience/

DEADLINE: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) Grants
2026-04-09 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
LIEF supports the acquisition and shared use of major research infrastructure, equipment and facilities across Australian universities, PFROs and industry partners.
The scheme enables collaborative access to national and international facilities and strengthens research capability across HASS and STEM disciplines, excluding clinical and other medical research.
Learn more about the grant here: https://www.arc.gov.au/linkage-infrastructure-equipment-and-facilities-lief

DEADLINE: Curtinnovation Awards 2026
2026-04-10 06:00 - 07:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Curtinnovation Awards celebrate bold thinkers at Curtin University who are creating real-world impact. Whether you’re a researcher, student or entrepreneur, if you’ve developed an idea that could shape industries, improve lives or solve critical challenges, we want to hear from you.
All ideas are welcome. Previous winners of the Curtinnovation Awards include an evidence-based bio-enhanced native seaweed solution to chronic inflammation; a real-time asset tracking system using existing camera infrastructure; and a breakthrough in synthetic graphite production for lithium-ion batteries.
Why apply?

Funding to fuel your idea – win up to $15,000 cash
Industry recognition – showcase your work to leaders in business, government and research
Pathway to commercialisation – support from Curtin’s expert team to take your innovation to market
Exclusive networking opportunities – connect with key industry figures at our annual awards luncheon

This year’s Awards recipients will be announced on Friday 28 August 2026.

DEADLINE: ASTN Pre-Accelerator Program Cohort 11
2026-04-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Apply online, Australia
This pre-accelerator program is open to startup founders, entrepreneurs with an athlete, practioners or research background or intrapreneurs of sports organisations or businesses who have a technology-based idea, consider establishing a business or develop a minimal viable product (MVP).
10 Weeks, 6 Modules and 20 Sessions:

Commercialisation
Translating R&D
Validation of Ideas
Organisational Ambitions
Administrative Necessities
Learn from the Best

Key Dates

6 February 2026: Applications open
12 April 2026: Applications close 11.59pm (AEST)
15 April 2026: Cohort selection process
20 April 2026: Participants notified if selected to be a part of the program, and onboarding begins
28 April 2026 to 1 July 2026: Program Delivery with Welcome Session on Monday 28 April time TBC on Teams. All sessions will be Mondays and Wednesdays 4pm-6pm (AEST).

Defence Ready: Workshop Series | Demystifying Defence Supply Chains
2026-04-14 09:00 - 15:30 | AMC Jakovich Function Centre, 4 McGrath Road, Henderson, WA, 6166, Australia
The Henderson Alliance is pleased to offer an exclusive opportunity to attend a full day workshop facilitated by Defence and security experts De Stefano & Co in partnership with their friends at BidWrite and UBH Group.
Demystifying Defence Supply Chains, will provide a practical introduction to Australia’s defence sector and the key steps organisations need to take to successfully engage with Defence and its supply chain.
Designed for businesses looking to better understand the Defence sector opportunity, the program will guide participants through the structure of the Defence ecosystem, the expectations placed on industry, the processes involved in securing Defence work, and the emerging opportunities created by AUKUS.

Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly
2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:00 | online, Australia
Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly
Project Sunrise is Qantas’ bold leap into the future of ultra-long-haul travel, backed by evidence-based research by scientists at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney.
This bold project has transformed fundamental discoveries about circadian biology into real-life impact – reimagining in-flight lighting, movement, nutrition and sleep to reduce jet lag and improve travellers’ wellbeing with scientifically measurable benefits.
Their research has informed the design of next-generation aircraft, built with futuristic cabin features helping passengers arrive more rested, alert, and ready to go.
In conversation with ABC Canberra’s Lish Fejer, we’ll hear from two leaders of the project:

Vanessa Hudson is Qantas Group CEO and Managing Director. She is leading the airline towards Project Sunrise take-off, with the first flights scheduled for 2027.
Professor Stephen Simpson AC FAA FRS is leading the team of researchers from Charles Perkins Centre, using real-world passenger data to enhance the in-flight experience and inform the next generation of specially designed ultra-long-range aircraft.

This event is for everyone including students, professionals, academics, policymakers, lifelong learners, and those simply curious about how science is shaping our future.

2026 SUT YES! UWA Lab Visit
2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, 64 Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
Join SUT YES! for an exclusive visit to UWA’s Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre in Crawley.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the centrifuge facility, gaining a first-hand look at advanced geotechnical testing equipment and techniques. Following the lab tour, enjoy a BBQ networking session, a great chance to connect with industry professionals.
Whether you’re studying, working in the field, or simply interested in underwater technology, this is a great chance to expand your knowledge and network in a relaxed setting.

DEADLINE: Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs 2026
2026-04-15 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs is an international competition format that aims to identify the most groundbreaking scientific achievements of the world.
Whether you are a researcher, innovator, or a team of passionate individuals, the Global Call for Science Breakthroughs is your chance to showcase your groundbreaking work that addresses global challenges.
You can nominate outstanding research or apply with your own project in the following categories:

life sciences
physical sciences
engineering and technology
social sciences and humanities
art and science
Women’s Impact Award (female science talents)
science start-ups (Falling Walls Venture)
science engagement (Falling Walls Engage)

Opportunities for WA METS in the Americas
2026-04-15 09:00 - 10:00 | online, Australia
Austmine, in partnership with Invest & Trade Western Australia, invites Western Australian METS companies to explore the latest opportunities and emerging trends within the Americas mining industry.
The mining markets across the Americas represent some of the most dynamic growth opportunities for Australian METS companies, driven by robust investment pipelines, strategic resource portfolios and a strong shift towards innovation and sustainability.
Latin America – particularly Chile and Peru – continues to attract significant foreign investment with a broad mix of copper, gold, zinc, lithium and other critical minerals underpinning long-term demand, while national governments are actively seeking partnerships to modernise operations and adopt cutting-edge technologies.
In North America, the United States and Canada remain lucrative markets with established mining sectors that offer a familiar business environment, strong appetite for innovation and numerous growth corridors – from automation and digital solutions to sustainability services.
This webinar will showcase where and how Western Australian innovation can thrive in the Americas’ expanding mining landscape.
Panel discussion with successful WA Exporters:

Brianna Peake, Investment and Trade Commissioner for the Americas, Invest & Trade Western Australia
Robert Trzebski, Director International Business, Austmine
Sheldon Varcoe, International Projects Manager, Austmine

AI Innovation Summit - Australia-USA
2026-04-15 11:30 - 14:00 | The Platform, 256 Adelaide Terrace #3 Perth, WA 6000 Australia, Perth, Australia, 6000, Australia
The AI Innovation Summit Australia–USA marks the ninth event in the International AI Innovation Summits Series, organised by Innovate Australia in Perth. Each summit in the series focuses on strengthening innovation relationships between Australia and a partner nation, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers.Rather than focusing only on artificial intelligence as a technology, the summit is about people, collaboration, and real-world innovation. It creates an open and engaging environment where participants can exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore opportunities for practical partnerships between Australia and the United States.

Learn more here: AI Innovation Summit – Australia-USA

Society for Underwater Technology April ETM
2026-04-15 17:30 - 20:30 | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
“Beneath the Surface: Uncovering Maritime Mysteries Through Underwater Technology”
The SUT April ETM will showcase how advancements in underwater technology are redefining maritime archaeological research and underwater exploration.
Highlighting the intersection between engineering, science, archaeology and underwater exploration, this event will demonstrate how technological innovations are progressing investigations of our submerged cultural heritage, support more engaging communication to the public and how these methods can translate into broader industry applications.
Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/april-evening-technical-meeting-tickets-1983737789128

DEADLINE: Clean Energy Future Fund Round 4
2026-04-20 07:00 - 08:00 | Apply online, Australia
The WA Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund (CEFF) Round 4 is open for applications until Monday 20 April 2026. A total of $9 million is available for this funding round. Grants can cover up to 25 per cent of eligible project costs and range from $100,000 to $4 million. Full details are on the CEFF website.

DEADLINE: Churchill Fellowship
2026-04-20 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Fellowship provides funding and support for Australians to travel overseas (typically 4-8 weeks) to investigate a topic they’re passionate about. The only requirement? You need to bring what you learn back to Australia and share it with others. Applications open 26 Feb 2026.

You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be an academic. You can do a Churchill Fellowship on any topic, provided there is a benefit to Australia and your community by you sharing your knowledge or skills. You need curiosity, commitment, and a clear vision for how your learning will create positive change.

Perth information sessions
5 March 2026 at 5.30 pm (AWST), Australian Institute of Management WA (76 Birkdale St, Floreat)
7 March 2026 at 10.00 am (AWST), Access Care Network Australia (ACNA) (5 Sangiorgio Ct, Osborne Park)

DEADLINE: Cooperative Research Australia Excellence in Innovation Awards
2026-04-20 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Excellence in Innovation Awards are proudly brought to you by Edith Cowan University to showcase and recognise the inspiring work and impact of industry-research collaboration in the Australian innovation ecosystem and the translation of research into commercial, economic, social and environmental outcomes that drive future prosperity for Australia.
The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner on Thursday 21 May 2026 as part of Collaborate Innovate in Perth.
If you know someone who has made an excellent contribution to Australia’s research and development system, read about the award categories and consider nominating them.
There are 7 categories for awards:

The Lifetime Achievement Award for Cooperative Research
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Award for Impact
Award for First Nations Innovation Leadership
Award for Industry-Research Collaboration
Award for Emerging Collaboration of the Year
Award for Collaborative Leadership & Culture

Read more and nominate here

Spacecubed x CSIRO ON: Perth Innovation Connect
2026-04-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
​Join for an evening bringing together founders, researchers, investors and ecosystem leaders from across Western Australia.
​Hosted by Spacecubed in partnership with CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, this Innovation Connect is designed to align the full spectrum of the innovation community, from early-stage ideas through to commercialisation and scale.
​Hear from two founders sharing different pathways into innovation, including a university spin-out journey and a non-traditional founder story. Through honest insights into the highs, lows and lessons learned, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to build and grow in WA.
​The evening will also feature open 30-second pitches, giving attendees the opportunity to share what they’re working on, explore ideas, and connect with potential collaborators, customers and supporters.
​Whether you’re building a startup, exploring research translation, supporting innovation or simply curious about the ecosystem, this is your chance to connect, learn and get involved.

MRIWA: Why Do We Need Minerals Research?
2026-04-22 10:00 - 12:30 | State Library Theatre, 25 Francis Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Understanding the mining life cycle offers students a powerful real‑world example of why STEM skills matter. From exploration to closure and even beyond—every stage relies on scientific research, creative problem‑solving, and evidence‑based environmental stewardship. This event will unpack how geoscientists, chemists, engineers, data analysts, ecologists and innovators work together to find minerals more sustainably, minimise impact, protect ecosystems, and restore land long after mining ends.
By showing students how scientific thinking drives cleaner technologies, greener processes, and smarter resource use, we can inspire the next generation of STEM leaders to imagine and create the low‑footprint mines of the future. Join us to discover how minerals research can energise your science classroom and empower students to tackle global sustainability challenges.
Through inspiring keynotes, interactive panels, and honest conversations, we’ll challenge misconceptions and empower students to see minerals research as a pathway to meaningful, real‑world impact.
We invite you and your students to register your interest in our inaugural event, designed to spark curiosity, encourage lateral thinking, and support aspiring young leaders as they imagine the low‑footprint, environmentally responsible mines of the future.

The Future of Defence Infrastructure
2026-04-22 11:45 - 15:00 | Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, 6000, Australia
Western Australia’s defence industry is gaining momentum, underpinned by strategic national priorities, significant government investment, and strengthened collaboration between defence, industry, and research.
The sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with opportunities emerging in shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, cyber security, and new technologies.
With the state up against capacity constraints, housing shortages and logistical transport upgrades, the upcoming Business News Defence Infrastructure Sector Briefing will convene senior industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to exchange insights, discuss actionable next steps and examine the key trends shaping Western Australia’s defence landscape.

Meshpoints Town Hall: Introducing Our Resilience & Wellbeing Challenge
2026-04-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Join the second Meshpoints Town Hall of 2026, which will share key updates, introduce new opportunities, and outline how you can get involved in the next phase of Meshpoints’ Challenge-led funding model.
Key announcements and opportunities include:
🧠 Introducing Challenge #2: focused on resilience and wellbeing for founders across WA’s innovation ecosystem. This will be grounded in insights from StartupWA’s latest founder survey and recent mental health and wellbeing roundtable, helping shape the challenge, why it matters, and the types of initiatives we’re looking to support. Up to $100,000 in total funding is available, with up to $20,000 per initiative.
🚀 Announcing Challenge #1 recipients: hear directly from the not-for-profit organisations funded through our Promotion & Storytelling Challenge, and the impact they’re aiming to create.
💡 Interactive workshop: designed to help you develop and submit a strong expression of interest for Challenge #2.
Following formalities and announcements, there will be an optional hands-on workshop where you’ll be guided through shaping an initiative aligned with the founder wellbeing Challenge. You’ll leave with a clearer concept, practical guidance, and the opportunity to submit your Expression of Interest on the spot.
Please note, this Town Hall is exclusive to Meshpoints Partners. If you’re not yet a Partner, you can join for free to access this event and future funding opportunities. Click here to join as a partner!

DEADLINE: AusSRC HPC Funding Applications Close
2026-04-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) is proud to launch the Astronomy Resources for Industry Applications (ARIA) Program, a new initiative designed to accelerate innovation through access to high-performance computing (HPC).
AusSRC is Australia’s contribution to the international SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet). The SRCNet will support the global flow of data and processing needed for the SKA telescopes – the two most advanced radio telescopes in the world, located in Australia and South Africa.
One of AusSRC’s goals is to support discovery and delivery of impact beyond radio astronomy. By working with industry to foster data-intensive innovations across sectors, AusSRC aims to leverage astronomy capabilities to generate broad benefits to the Australian economy and community.
The ARIA Program has been established to provide Australian start-ups and small to medium businesses with access to HPC resources to enable innovation in products and services aligned with key technical priorities.
For the 2026 inaugural funding round, AusSRC will support projects focused on:

Data Management
Data Visualisation
Data Compression

We are seeking applications from SMEs and start-ups that would benefit from HPC capability but face barriers accessing research-based or large-scale infrastructure schemes.
Applications are open to organisations from any industry excluding astronomy that can demonstrate how covering HPC-related expenses would directly enable innovation in one or more of the priority areas.
For a full explanation of the ARIA Program, please refer to the ARIA Program Guidelines and ARIA Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

ON Innovation: Navigating Research Funding Opportunities
2026-04-28 12:00 - 14:00 | online, Australia
Navigating Research Funding Opportunities
Explore the funding landscape with expert guidance. Understand pathways, eligibility considerations, and how to position your research for success across a range of funding options.
The Foundation Skills online workshop series has been designed to give researchers from all types of research organisations a practical, confidence-building introduction to key skills that support successful research careers. The series offers a practical and flexible entry-point opportunity for researchers and teams to develop core entrepreneurial competencies and enhance their innovation readiness, with guidance on where to take their ideas next.

Agtech Innovation Workshop
2026-04-29 09:00 - 14:00 | Wrays, Australia
This one day interactive workshop will provide networking opportunities for innovators in the Agtech sector, exploring industry challenges, identifying target customers, refining value propositions, and validating ideas.
Topics Covered:

Agtech sector challenges and opportunities
Target customers across the ag industry value chain
Value propositions for agricultural end users
Validation strategies tailored for ag industry stakeholders
Funding, investment and support services for commercialising agtech
Creating and protecting Intellectual Property
Applying for the HARVEST Agtech Accelerator program (currently open for applications)
