WA Innovation Calendar

[webinar] A practical guide to IP for small business
2026-06-23 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
This webinar is designed for small business owners, founders and entrepreneurs to learn how to protect their IP and brand.
In this practical, easy to follow online discussion, IP Australia experts will walk you through the intellectual property (IP) basics every small business should understand, with a strong focus on trademarks and brand protection.
We’ll explain why trademarks matter, how they can help protect what makes your business unique, and what to think about as your business grows.
You’ll discover the common myths and mistakes that often trip up business owners, and how to protect your brand in a world of copycats and “dupes”. You will also learn about our free tools and resources that can support you to make informed decisions.
This session is designed for Australian small businesses, founders and entrepreneurs who want straightforward information they can apply straight away.

WA | Building The New Defence-Tech Economy
2026-06-23 11:45 - 14:15 (Australia/Perth) | Pan Pacific Hotel Perth, 207 Adelaide Tce, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
As global strategic uncertainty intensifies and advanced technologies become central to both defence capability and economic strength, Australia faces critical choices about building sovereign capability, resilient supply chains and globally competitive defence‑tech industries.
This conversation brings together government, industry, investors and the community to explore how AUKUS Pillar II creates new commercial opportunities across AI, quantum, cyber, electronic warfare and undersea systems, how SMEs can cross the commercial “valley of death” from R&D to revenue, and how Western Australia can position itself as a globally competitive hub for defence‑tech, talent and investment in the decade ahead.

CWSS 3-Year Celebration: Henry Darcy Medal Seminar & Networking Event
2026-06-23 15:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Perth) | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
The Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS) at The University of Western Australia warmly invites colleagues, partners, researchers, and industry stakeholders to attend a special seminar and networking event featuring Professor Sally E. Thompson, recipient of the 2026 Henry Darcy Medal.
The Henry Darcy Medal is one of the most prestigious international awards in hydrology, recognising exceptional contributions to advancing water science globally. In 2026, the medal has been awarded to Professor Sally E. Thompson in recognition of her for outstanding contributions to ecohydrology, particularly the co-evolution of vegetation and soils in natural landscapes, and the emerging patterns in response to water limitation.
This event also celebrates three years of impactful research, innovation, and collaboration across water and spatial science, bringing together academia, government, and industry to connect, share knowledge, and explore future opportunities.

WA Innovators of the Year 2026 Applicant Seminar
2026-06-23 16:45 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | Moore WA, Level 15, Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade,, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Free seminar for WA Innovators of the Year 2026 Applicants
As a part of the 2026 application process, you are invited to attend a free seminar following the submission of your application.
AGENDA:
Moore Australia | Key considerations for Innovative Businesses (Basic tax and financial insights for developing innovative businesses to consider & how to appeal to investors)
Wrays | Protecting Your Greatest Asset: Your Intellectual Property (IP)
BetterLabs | Overview of Venture Funding

Pilbara Summit 2026
2026-06-24 09:00 - 2026-06-25 17:00 (Australia/Perth) | Red Earth Arts Precinct, 27 Welcome Road, Karratha, Western Australia, 6714, Australia
This event further builds on 7 highly successful Pilbara Summits providing the perfect opportunity for the Pilbara regions senior industry, investors, businesses, community, and government representatives to re-join and reconnect for this unique networking and shared learning opportunity.
Following on from the last 4 years of sell-out events, Pilbara Summit 2026 will be looking at the economic growth, investment, development and diverse and dynamic industry across the region.

Exploring Beyond Zero Emissions' National Action Plan [webinar]
2026-06-24 10:30 - 11:30 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Beyond Zero Emissions’ will be presenting the latest progress on the National Action Plan, a place-based framework for assessing regional readiness and accelerating Australia’s clean energy transition.
This webinar will include an overview of the NAP’s approach to assessing and guiding regional readiness for clean industry development. They will be sharing early findings from two new Western Australian locations currently being assessed under the NAP framework, giving you a first look at what clean industry readiness looks like on the ground in WA.
Whether you’re in regional planning, industry, policy, or community advocacy, this is your chance to engage directly with the work and ask questions of the BZE team.

Entrepreneurial Educator Exchange (E3 Connect) - AI in Schools
2026-06-24 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Discover how artificial intelligence is already reshaping entrepreneurial learning in schools and what this means for teaching, learning, and assessment.
Educators will explore practical classroom use cases and guiding principles for using AI to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and student agency, while maintaining ethical and pedagogical integrity.

HILT CRC Public Webinar: Technology pathways for green iron and low-carbon steelmaking
2026-06-24 14:00 - 15:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | online, Australia
Join HILT CRC for a public webinar showcasing four iron and steel technology providers – and HILT CRC partners – working on practical pathways to decarbonise iron and steel production.
Speakers from Primetals Technologies, Metix, Tenova and Hatch will each provide a technical deep dive into their technologies, alongside a broader view of future green iron and low-carbon steelmaking pathways.
For Primetals, Gerald Wimmer will provide a technical overview of its work supporting lower-emissions iron and steel production. The presentation will consider practical pathways for integrating new process technologies into future green iron and steel value chains, including the implications for feedstocks, energy supply, plant configuration and scale-up.
Gerhard Terblanche will present for Metix. As SMS group’s centre of competence for reduction furnace applications, Metix brings deep expertise in pyrometallurgical furnace technologies, submerged arc furnaces, high-temperature process engineering and advanced electric smelting solutions.
Tenova will provide a multi-speaker overview of its technologies across the iron and steel value chain. Markus Dorndorf will introduce the company’s direct reduced iron (DRI) and electric arc furnace (EAF) technologies; Andre Esterhuizen will discuss submerged arc furnace technology, including iBLUE® (which combines direct reduction with arc furnace-based hot metal production), residual valorisation and slag granulation; and Alessandro Della Rocca will address downstream technologies, including reheating furnaces.
For Hatch, Simon Nitschke, Managing Director, Equipment Technology, will present on Hatch’s work in green iron and steel, including the NeoSmelt electric smelting furnace (ESF) design.
Presentations from each company will include an audience Q&A after each session, with a panel discussion to close.

Report Release: Western Australia’s Resources Sector in Transition
2026-06-24 16:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | Pan Pacific Hotel Perth, 207 Adelaide Tce, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre invites you to a special sundowner for the release of our latest report, Western Australia’s Resources Sector in Transition
Western Australia’s economy remains deeply anchored in its resources sector, with iron ore continuing to underpin exports, public revenues, employment and living standards. But the global operating environment is shifting rapidly. Decarbonisation, technological disruption and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping resource-based economies worldwide.
This new Focus on Industry report examines how WA’s resources sector is adapting to these pressures, and what this means for economic diversification, fiscal sustainability and long-term prosperity. While the sector remains a source of strength, it also faces growing structural pressures, including rising costs, infrastructure constraints, concentrated supply chains and exposure to volatile global markets. The report also assesses the opportunities – and limits – of downstream processing, critical minerals and low-emissions industries.

West Coast Eagles: A Digital Journey
2026-06-24 17:15 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Rory Furness, Head of Data & Governance for the West Coast Eagles will be sharing an honest, first-hand account of the West Coast Eagles’ digital journey, from humble beginnings to a data-driven, member-first organisation.
This session will explore the club’s approach to technology adoption, digital fan engagement, and operational innovation. Rory will cover the key phases of that journey: early infrastructure and CRM foundations, the move into Perth Stadium and Mineral Resources Park, the post-COVID realignment of their data and MarTech plans, and the current work around Microsoft Fabric, AI agents and unified fan identity.
The session is less about the technology itself and more about the practical lessons, trade-offs and cultural shifts that come with delivering transformation inside one organisation over a long period.

Perth Game Dev Meetup
2026-06-24 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Perth) | Pirate Life Perth, 440 Murray Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, come by and connect with fellow creatives at our monthly meetup. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up and have a casual chat about game development.
Designers, Programmers, Artists, Writers, Animators, Riggers, Modelers, VFX, SFX, Composers, VO Actors, Producers, Bug Testers from games, other arts and adjacent industries.

WADSIH & Pawsey State Government Connect Initiative
2026-06-25 09:30 - 12:30 (Australia/Perth) | Curtin, 137 St Georges Tce, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The WA Data Science Innovation Hub and Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre are pleased to invite State, Federal and Local Government staff to a special State Government Connect Initiative.
This event will bring together public sector professionals to explore how artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are being used across government, the opportunities they present, and the practical challenges that need to be addressed to support greater adoption.
This event is open to State, Federal and Local Government staff, as well as publicly funded research organisations.

CRC Catalyst Webinar: Leveraging the CRC Model
2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:30 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
A practical session exploring how CRCs operate, what businesses gain, and how to get involved.

BHP Smart Mining Networking Event
2026-06-25 15:45 - 18:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Westin, 4480 Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Austmine is delighted to invite you to an exclusive evening of networking and industry insights featuring keynote speaker William Hartley, Head of Group Operational Performance, BHP, on Thursday 25 June 2026, in Perth.
BHP is a leading global resources company and one of the world’s largest producers of iron ore and copper. With major operations across Australia and the Americas, BHP is focused on supplying the critical resources needed for global growth and the energy transition. The company is also investing heavily in innovation, technology and partnerships to advance safer, more efficient and more sustainable mining.
This event is a perfect opportunity for industry professionals to connect and build new relationships, while also gaining valuable insights from one of the industry’s leading experts.

Bots & Bevs June
2026-06-25 16:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Perth) | Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, Pederick Rd, Neerabup, WA, Australia
Our June monthly Bots & Bevs networking evening is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other innovators, robotics thought leaders and business insiders working right across the robotics, automation and zero emissions sectors.

Investor Briefing | Boom of the Biotech II
2026-06-25 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Perth) | Steves Nedlands, 30 The Avenue, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
JP Equity Partners invites you to our ‘Boom of the Biotech II’ Investor Briefing, designed for clients, industry experts and sophisticated investors.
Please join us for complimentary drinks and canapes, whilst listening to exclusive presentations from 3 of the hottest copper companies in Australia, personally selected by the team at JP Equity Partners.

AgentCon Perth
2026-06-26 09:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Perth) | The University of WA Business School, Hackett Drive, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
Join us for the AI Agents World Tour, a global series of one-day conferences designed exclusively for developers building the future with AI agents.
From San Francisco to Singapore, we’re bringing together leading engineers, researchers, and creators to explore the cutting edge of AI agent design, deployment, and integration. Whether you’re building intelligent assistants, autonomous systems, or next-gen developer tools, this event is your fast track to practical knowledge, hands-on demos, and real-world insights.
What to Expect:

Deep-Dive Talks from AI pioneers and industry leaders
Technical Workshops on building, deploying, and scaling agents
Live Demos of powerful open-source frameworks and tools
Networking with a global community of builders and innovators

This isn’t just another AI event — it’s where developers meet to talk about real code.

ATC Launchpad Workshop: Managing Finance
2026-06-26 12:00 - 12:45 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
The ATC program is all about helping founders go further, which is why we’re hosting a series of special lunchtime workshops. This session will focus on helping founders gain greater control and confidence in their finances.
Hear directly from Marc Orchard, CEO & Co-Founder of Planet Startup, a CFO studio helping the next generation of seed to Series B companies in Australia to raise capital and scale globally, fast.

Digital Directors ANZ: National Launch Event (Online)
2026-06-26 15:30 - 16:30 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Join us for the official launch of the Digital Directors ANZ – a new initiative championing digital governance excellence.

Cygnet West 2026 PropTech Awards - Night of Nights
2026-06-26 17:30 - 22:30 (Australia/Perth) | Quay Perth, 18 The Esplanade, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
An executive-level gala recognising excellence across property and construction innovation.
The 2026 Cygnet West PropTech Hub WA Awards Night of Nights is the flagship event recognising the leaders, companies and technologies shaping the future of property and construction.
This executive-level gala brings together decision-makers from across the industry for an evening of recognition, connection and global visibility.

Intro to CERI and CERI FIRST
2026-06-29 10:00 - 10:45 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Introduction to the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research & Innovation (CERI) and CERI Females in Research, Science & Technology (FIRST) Program | Monday 29th June @ 10:00am-10:30am

Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86297693512?pwd=[REDACTED]
CERI is a not-for-profit established in 2015 by the Bass Family to support research commercialisation in Western Australia. We offer a range of services to help empower early-stage entrepreneurs, PhD students and visionaries within the WA community, including commercialisation programs, workplace residency and mentorship. We offer a low-cost, professional and safe environment for high-knowledge, high-value founders to develop their ideas into real-world solutions.

CERI 2024 Impact

Over $12m in capital and grant funding raised by our startups
160 program participants
9 resident companies

CERI Since 2015

$114 million combined startup valuations
85+ people employed by CERI startups
10 Patent/patent families held by companies

Notable CERI Alumni: Terra15 – Sensing and monitoring solutions using industry leading technology | Lixa – A private biotech company for anti-microbial technologies
Webinar Overview

15 minute CERI Introduction
15 minutes Q&A

This talk will be streamed via Zoom. A Zoom link is in this description and sent to your email following registration.

GRDC NGN Agricultural Connectivity Out-of-the-Box
2026-06-30 10:00 - 11:50 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
Growers across all three GRDC regions report operating in “digital darkness”, limiting their ability to use telematics, automation, and data-driven tools. More than half of growers surveyed by Grain Producers Australia cited connectivity and digital literacy gaps as core reasons for delaying investment in digital technology and automation.
The NGN Grains Adopt Online Workshop is a free, two-session webinar delivered by Connected Farms as part of the GRDC NGN funded Agriculture Connectivity Out-of-the-Box program — providing practical, independent guidance to help growers and agronomists get connected.

Session 1 — Understanding Connectivity (50 min) What connectivity means for grain farming, what technology options exist, and how to assess your situation.
Session 2 — Choosing & Implementing the Right Solution (50 min) How to select, deploy, and integrate the right connectivity solution for your farm and machinery systems.

Attendees will gain the capability and confidence to implement fit-for-purpose connectivity solutions, improve digital tool reliability, and support progress towards automation. Agronomists can become endorsed connectivity advisors.

AIRA x ASX Perth Small & Micro Cap Markets Update
2026-07-01 15:30 - 17:30 (Australia/Perth) | 152-158 St Georges Terrace, 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
This seminar is tailored for executives within small cap companies in market-facing roles, offering insights and tools to enhance investor engagement and market positioning.

MRIWA Tech Talks
2026-07-02 17:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Perth) | Long Neck Brewery, 306 Riverside Drive, East Perth, WA, Australia
MRIWA TECH TALKS: Investigating impure water effects on rare earth bearing mineral flotation
MRIWA invites you to our monthly tech talks discussing the intricate processes and findings of our recently completed projects with a chance to question the researchers face to face.

Discover how innovative science is reshaping the future of rare earth processing at our upcoming MRIWA Tech Talk featuring the project The Effect of Water Quality on Rare Earth Minerals Flotation. This landmark study investigates how varying levels of water purity influence flotation efficiency—an essential step in recovering rare earth elements. By analysing how impurities affect recovery rates, reagent performance, and flotation behaviour, the research identifies both operational risks and opportunities for optimisation.

Life Sciences WA Networking Sundowner
2026-07-02 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | FOUND., 399 Hay Street, Subiaco, WA, 6008, Australia
Join Life Sciences WA for the first of our regular LSWA Sundowner event series, bringing together Western Australia’s life sciences ecosystem for an evening of networking and connection.
This relaxed and welcoming event is an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and emerging professionals from across the sector.
Whether you are looking to expand your network, explore new collaborations, share ideas or reconnect with colleagues and peers, the LSWA Sundowner is designed to help strengthen connections across WA’s growing life sciences community.

Non-Coding AI Use : An easy way to kill your startup
2026-07-03 11:45 - 13:00 (Australia/Perth) | BDO Australia – Perth, Level 9, Mia Yellagonga Tower 2, 5 Spring St, Perth, WA, 6000
AI is now the cheapest advisor in the room – and that’s exactly the problem.
Early-stage founders are increasingly turning to AI for the advice they can’t yet afford: drafting legal agreements, preparing patent applications, working through R&D tax claims, setting up company structures. Used well, with the right expertise behind it, AI is a powerful tool. Used without the knowledge to spot when it’s wrong, it’s a fast and expensive way to do real damage to your startup.
Join Experia Growth and our expert sponsors for a sharp, one-hour lunchtime session on where non-coding AI use goes wrong – and what to do instead.
This is for early-stage and aspiring founders who are already leaning on AI to fill the gaps, and want to understand the risks before they become expensive.

Fremantle Innovation Exchange: Blue Economy - Innovation in WA
2026-07-07 07:30 - 09:00 (Australia/Perth) | Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, 16 Phillimore Street, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
The Fremantle Innovation Exchange (FIE) is a new initiative by the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce made possible through funding from the Meshpoints Promotions & Storytelling Challenge.
This opening session will explore the breadth of Western Australia’s blue economy, showcasing founders and industry leaders working across marine technology, ocean sustainability and coastal innovation. Through founder storytelling and moderated discussion, the session will cover how ideas are developed, tested and scaled within WA, highlight emerging opportunities in the sector and unpack the challenges and enablers unique to operating in this space. Attendees will gain insight into real local innovation journeys, strengthening understanding of the blue economy’s role in WA’s future and building confidence in the state as a place for ocean-based ventures to thrive.

CSIRO Webinar: Nurturing Trust in Science Through Partnerships and Engagement
2026-07-07 08:00 - 09:00 (Australia/Perth) | online, Australia
In an era of rampant misinformation, the credibility of science has never mattered more – or been harder to protect. CSIRO Publishing is responding on two fronts: making rigorous science accessible and engaging for the general public, and equipping researchers with the skills and confidence to publish with impact.
Join us for a snapshot of how we’re doing this in practice:

‘It Starts With…’ – our new podcast bringing credible science to curious, general audiences
Science video explainers – short, shareable content that makes complex research discoverable beyond the journal page
Scientific writing workshops – practical, partnership-based support to help your researchers communicate and publish effectively

Discover how CSIRO Publishing can partner with your institution to strengthen the research ecosystem – from the lab to the public conversation.

Business Basics 101 | What Founders should prioritise when starting out | Speaker: Charlie Gunningham
2026-07-07 10:30 - 11:30 (Australia/Perth) | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
Set Your Startup Up for Success
Learn the essential legal and financial foundations every founder needs to know before launching.
What You’ll Learn:

The key legal structures for new businesses and how to choose the right one

Basic accounting principles and compliance requirements

Essential tools and practices to manage your business finances

Common legal and financial pitfalls to avoid as a first-time founder

Confidence to launch your business with a solid foundation

Activities to scale with Matt Macfarlane
2026-07-07 12:30 - 13:30 (Australia/Perth) | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
A Fireside Chat on Scaling Smarter
Learn how to identify and build the foundational components of a business model through real-world insights and interactive discussion.
What You’ll Learn:

How to identify and cultivate key partnerships that drive growth

Understanding the core activities that underpin a sustainable business model

Recognising and leveraging your business’s most critical resources

Practical insights through a real founder’s growth journey

Open Q&A in a relaxed, interview-style format

This session takes a unique approach — rather than a traditional presentation, it will be structured as an interview and fireside chat. Matt Macfarlane will share the story of one of the startups he’s helped scale, and together we’ll unpack the key components of business operations through conversation and audience questions.
