WA Innovation Calendar

Physical AI Meetup
2026-03-26 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Perth) | Curtin CBD Precinct, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Talk 1: Getting Deep with Neural Networks – Considerations for Physical AI in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Talk 2: From Mine Site to Mindset: Real-World Physical AI with Computer Vision (BHP) and LLMs (Monti)
Talk 3: Agents for the Bottom Line: How AI Agents Are Starting to Do Real Work
Sponsored by the Curtin Institute for Data Science – Australia’s largest university-based data science research institute, applying data science and high-performance computing to real-world problems across government, industry, and academia.

VentureUWA From Uni to Industry | Tech in WA
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:30 | The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
The Road to Employability in WA Tech
Breaking into tech isn’t just about choosing the right degree; it’s about understanding where the industry is heading and how to position yourself before you graduate.
This Venture UWA x UWA AI Club event brings students inside the WA tech ecosystem to explore what’s actually happening across Perth’s growing technology sectors. From emerging roles to changing hiring expectations, we’ll unpack what employers are looking for and how you can start building towards it now.
Who you will hear from:

Raissa Amaral | Partner @ Visagio | Women in Technology Advocate
David Beros | Product at WeMoney
Camilo Pestana | Head of Data Science @ VGW | AI, Machine Learning
Aidan Morgan | Chief Engineer @ Bankwest, Founder, Fractional CTO & Advisor @ Run Level Five

Seminar #3: What Makes a Value Proposition Actually Valuable?
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | online, Australia
In this webinar, lean startup practitioner and national thought leader Andy Lamb will share the key tools and approaches he employs to quantify product value and develop an effective value proposition.
Join to gain frameworks around:

Quantifying and communicating product value.
Deploying evidence based messaging.
Ensuring what you are building (or planning to build) is something that people are actually going to buy.

About the presenters
Andy Lamb is a seasoned lean startup practitioner, entrepreneur, speaker and facilitator with a broad range of experience across various industries. Driven by a passion for wanting to do something different for a better outcome, he supports business owners and their teams to challenge the norm and inject a new approach to overcome their innovation challenges. Andy offers a blended approach to different strategies whilst focusing on building products and services that people actually need.
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.
A Brutally Honest Guide for Startups.
This 2026 event series will bring together a range of industry veterans and subject matter experts who are passionate about helping startups build resilient, sustainable and successful ventures, with a focus on the fundamental principles that matter to long term startup survival.

Student Startup Weekend 2026
2026-03-27 16:30 - 2026-03-29 17:00 | Curtin Entrepreneurs Hub, 1 Koorliny Way, Bentley, WA, 6012, Australia
Ever had a great idea but didn’t know how to bring it to life? Student Startup Weekend is your chance to turn ideas into reality – fast. In just one weekend, you’ll collaborate, create, and compete to launch a startup with mentorship from industry pros!
What’s in it for you?

Launch a Startup – Take an idea from concept to prototype in 54 hours?
Get Mentored by Experts – Learn from top entrepreneurs & investors.
Win Awesome Prizes – Varsity vouchers, co-working space, mentorship & more!
Make Connections That Matter – Meet future co-founders & industry leaders.
Free Food & Fun – Work hard, eat well, and have an epic weekend!

Open to high school & uni students

DEADLINE: Graphite Research and Development Grant
2026-03-30 08:00 - 09:00 | Apply online, Australia
The Graphite Research and Development Grant provides Australian small to medium enterprises SMEs with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects.
This initiative will support development of a sustainable graphite industry in Australia, which is essential to meeting the growing global demand for battery anode materials. Australia is positioned to become a key supplier to the USA and other global markets by capitalising on its natural graphite deposits. This program supports R&D in areas like alternative feedstocks, efficient recycling methods, and purification techniques, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable graphite production process.

WEBINAR: Beyond traditional funding: how to unlock the power of non-dilutive capital
2026-03-30 08:00 - 09:00 | online, Australia
Join for a candid discussion on how to access and corroborate funding with reality, what the upcoming changes to the R&D Tax Incentive really mean for founders, and how to prepare with confidence ahead of the reforms. Expect clear insights, grounded guidance and real‑world perspectives on how these changes may affect founders accessibility, how they interact with your cap table and future raises, and how the upcoming reforms may influence what and how you can claim.
You’ll walk away with a sharper understanding of how the reforms could affect your future R&D claims, and how to align your internal processes, strategy and readiness to meet the bar with confidence.

Webinar: The Mine Beyond Operations
2026-03-30 11:00 - 12:00 | online, Australia
The mining sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by automation, digital systems, AI and sustainability. The Mining Innovation Across the Lifecyle webinar series will dive into the mining lifecycle – from smarter exploration techniques to digital mine planning, intelligent operations, advanced processing, and mine closure.
Join Austmine on Monday 30 March as we continue the series with The Mine Beyond Operations. This webinar will showcase the latest technologies and strategies for cost-effective rehabilitation, circular economy opportunities, and the future of post-mining land use.
Webinar Details: Monday 30 March 2026 | 2:00PM AEDT

From Start to Exit: An Investor Masterclass
2026-03-30 15:30 - 18:30 | 9 The Esplanade, 9 The Esplanade, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
What does a successful exit really look like? Hear directly from founders and investors who’ve been there.
Join VentureX HQ for an exclusive masterclass featuring founders who will share their real-world journeys from startup to exit, including the wins, the challenges, and the lessons that changed everything.
New date: this event will now run on Monday 30 March, 3:30pm – 6:30pm.
Learn more and register here: https://events.humanitix.com/investor-and-founder-masterclass

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.

Why Turning Down Investment is a Good Thing
2026-04-08 07:30 - 09:00 | Riff, 45 St Georges Tce, Perth, Australia
Presented by: Kate Hall, PlayIndies
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.
Kate co-founded Playindies through a chance connection with her row co-founder, where they quickly realised they were both independently planning to build the same kind of platform.

Creators' Sundwoner
2026-04-08 16:30 - 18:30 | B{LAB}, Ground Floor Bunbury Library, 2 Parkfield Street, Bunbury, WA, 6230, Australia
A gathering of local creatives – some you’ve met, and some you haven’t!
Whether you’re a film maker, visual artist, musician, or content creator, come along and find out what other creatives are up to in the south west.

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.

WALSIH presents: BioCina Open Door Session
2026-04-14 12:30 - 16:30 | BioCina Perth, 15 Brodie-Hall Drive, Bentley, WA, 6102
Go behind the scenes, meet experts, and explore partnership and career pathways at a leading Australian CDMO.
BioCina is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) with deep expertise in small molecules, biologics (microbial, pDNA, mRNA, LNP modalities) delivering integrated drug substance and drug product manufacturing from two GMP facilities in Australia. The Perth facility specialises in sterile fill-finish, covering drug product formulation, aseptic filling and finish operations across multiple formats. With internationally approved facilities and highly experienced teams, BioCina supports innovators from early development through to commercial supply.
This ‘Open Door Session’ of BioCina’s state-of-the-art 14,000m² Perth facility offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with BioCina’s technical experts and a first‑hand look at sterile drug product filling in action.
Attendees will gain insights into manufacturing workflows, quality systems and what collaboration and workforce pathways with BioCina could look like.

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.

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

Western Trade Coast Industry Tour – Insights, Projects and Industry
2026-04-15 09:30 - 13:30 | AMC Jakovich Function Centre, 4 McGrath Road, Henderson, WA, 6166, Australia
This half-day tour provides an on-the-ground overview of the Western Trade Coast, one of Australia’s most significant industrial corridors. Travelling through key locations, participants will gain perspective on the industries, infrastructure and projects shaping the region’s future.
The tour includes key locations such as the Australian Marine Complex, Westport and emerging clean energy hubs, providing real-world context to many of the projects currently driving WA’s economic growth.

Disruptive Science Webinar: Sensing and Materials
2026-04-15 10:00 - 11:00 | online, Australia
Join experts from ANSTO and industry to explore how quantum sensing is transforming nuclear technologies, enhancing safety, strengthening security and unlocking powerful new capabilities for the future.
Quantum technologies are moving rapidly from theory to real world application, including in nuclear technologies. In this webinar, hosted by ScienceMeetsBusiness on behalf of ANSTO, experts explore how quantum sensing could transform capabilities, safety and security across nuclear technologies and other industries.
Join us to discover how ultra-sensitive quantum sensors can enable more precise measurements, earlier detection of anomalies, and enhanced monitoring in complex environments. We will examine practical uses, current research directions on materials, and what these advances could mean for industry, government, and research organisations.
If you work in the nuclear sector, engineering, defence, security, or advanced manufacturing, this session will give you valuable insight into where quantum sensing is heading and why it matters now.

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

Capital Without Borders - AU x JP
2026-04-15 17:00 - 18:00 | online, Australia
Startup Today and Innovators Campus are back with something different. This month they’re pulling back the curtain on what investors in Australia and Japan actually think, what they fund, what they pass on, and what founders on both sides of the Pacific consistently get wrong. Explore different sectors that are making waves, what’s happening with AI, vibe-coding, finding a co-founder and more.
​An open panel and AMA session featuring:

​Harry Clark – Venture Architect & Co-CEO of AventureLabs. Habitual founder and venture studio operator building at the intersection of AI, deep tech, and venture capital across APEC and EMEA.
​Jet Son Tan – Tokyo-based angel investor and serial entrepreneur with deep product experience in ML and AI across Apple, TomTom, and six startups. Founder Institute mentor across Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, with a strong eye for early-stage technical founders.

​Facilitated by:

​Matt Ainsworth – Co-host and cross-border operator working across the AU and JP startup ecosystems.
​Thom Peace – Founder of Innovators Campus and a long time venture builder in Japan.

​What we’ll cover:

​How investors in AU and JP evaluate early-stage startups differently
What AI and deep tech opportunities are emerging across both markets right now
​How to position your startup for cross-border investment
Open Q&A – bring your real questions, no softballs required

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: CORE Pilbara Summit 2026 Exhibit Opportunity
2026-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Apply online, Australia
As a Community Sponsor, CORE Innovation Hub has secured exclusive exhibition space to help two businesses showcase their capabilities alongside us in the heart of the region.
Why join us?
• Direct Access: Engage with key industry leaders and decision-makers
• Regional Impact: Strengthen your presence in the Pilbara ecosystem
• High Visibility: Position your brand at the region’s premier resource event
EOIs CLOSE COB THIS FRIDAY, 17 April – EOI FORM

Agristart - Meet the Founder - FreshChain Systems
2026-04-17 09:30 - 10:00 | online, Australia
AgriSpace is pleased to be hosting this Meet The Founder online session with FreshChain Systems co-founder and director Greg Calvert. Greg will run through an overview of the business and the fundraise followed by Q&A.
FreshChain Systems are currently doing a seed fundraise round. This is an AgriSpace syndicate investment opportunity currently live on the platform – www.agrispace.com.au – to find out more and subscribe.

WA Regional Business Excellence Awards 2026
2026-04-18 18:00 - 23:55 | Pan Pacific Hotel Perth, 207 Adelaide Tce, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The WARBEA’s are an annual awards program celebrating, recognising and rewarding WA’s amazing regional businesses.
The Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry of WA (RCCIWA) are proud to host these awards. The RCCIWA is a Chamber for all WA regional Chambers, Business Networks and Business Associations.

Virtual Global Expert Program: Jennifer Head
2026-04-21 13:00 - 14:30 | online, Australia
​This session will explore how innovators can develop a credible and practical strategy for entering the NHS market.
​While many companies focus heavily on regulatory approval and clinical evidence, successful NHS adoption depends on a much broader set of commercial, operational, and system-level factors.
​Drawing on real-world experience supporting MedTech innovators, we will explore:

​How NHS decision-making works across clinicians, commissioners, procurement teams, and integrated care systems
​The different commercial pathways into the NHS and how to determine which is most appropriate for your technology
​Why strong clinical evidence alone is rarely enough to drive adoption
​Common strategic mistakes innovators make when approaching the NHS market
How to realistically assess whether the NHS represents a viable and scalable commercial opportunity
