Agriculture / Agtech – WA Innovation Calendar

AusAgritech: Community Catchup [online]

A lot is happening at AusAgritech right now and this is your chance to get across all of it. Open to all AusAgritech members and partners. Bring your questions.

AusAgritech: Community Briefing – National Agritech Week!

Friday, 8 May · 12:00 – 1:00pm

Time zone: Australia/Melbourne

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/sdn-xwsj-jhz

Or dial: ‪(AU) +61 3 8594 8212‬ PIN: ‪316 189 922‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/sdn-xwsj-jhz?pin=5849629021831

AgriFutures Energy Transition Roadmap Webinar

Join AgriFutures at their upcoming webinar exploring the Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sector Energy Transition Roadmap.

Recently published and co‑designed with industry, the Roadmap sets out a coordinated and practical pathway for the sector to reduce its reliance on diesel. It outlines priority actions and highlights the role collaboration will play in overcoming barriers to renewable energy, electrification and alternative fuels.

This webinar will:

-Provide an overview of the Energy Transition Roadmap, including its purpose and intended audience.
-Explain what the Roadmap says and how it can be used.
-Explore the practical steps the agricultural sector can take over the next ten years to transition away from diesel.
-Highlight why a coordinated, whole‑of‑industry approach is critical to success.

DEADLINE: CSIRO Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA

CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech (Western Australia) program

Western Australian agrifood and agtech small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are invited to strengthen their innovation capability through a free program designed to help turn early-stage ideas into practical research and development (R&D) plans.

Applications close on 31 May. Apply now.

DEADLINE: Curtin Ignition Scholarships 2026

Curtin Ignition is an intensive training program for aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and corporate innovators to trial and then prepare business ideas for the commercial environment. Ignition comprises of practical teaching sessions, expert clinics, mentor sessions and experienced advice and support from leading entrepreneurs and innovators.

In 2026, there are 20 fully funded scholarships (valued at $3,750 each) available for the Curtin Ignition program. Eligibility criteria for each of the 2026 scholarship can be found in the PDFs below.

City of Albany is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for residents in the City of Albany with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Bayswater is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for businesses or residents in the City of Bayswater with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Cockburn is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for individuals or businesses in the City of Cockburn with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Fremantle is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses or residents in the City of Fremantle with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Kalamunda is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses or residents in the City of Kalamunda with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Rockingham is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses in the City of Rockingham with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of South Perth is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses or residents in the City of South Perth with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Subiaco is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses or residents in the City of Subiaco with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Swan is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for businesses or residents in the City of Swan with a novel business/idea/innovation.
City of Wanneroo is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for businesses or residents in the City of Wanneroo with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Curtin Business School is offering up to five (5) fully funded scholarships for aspiring entrepreneurs who face financial barriers with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Curtin Business School Indigenous and TSI is offering up to two (2) fully funded scholarships for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Curtin Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship is offering up to 25 fully funded scholarships for Curtin staff or students with a novel business/idea/innovation.
CyberWest Hub is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for Cybersecurity or ICT security-related businesses with a novel business/idea/innovation.
DPIRD (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) is offering three (3) fully funded scholarships for students, individuals, or businesses in the agrifood, fibre, or fisheries industries with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Landgate is offering three (3) fully funded scholarships for individuals or businesses using location-based data with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Peel Development Commission is offering one (1) fully funded scholarship for businesses or residents in the Peel region with a novel business/idea/innovation.
RCTM – Trailblazer is offering up to ten (10) fully funded scholarships for individuals or businesses in the energy and resources sectors with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Town of Victoria Park is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for businesses or residents in the Town of Victoria Park with a novel business/idea/innovation.
Wrays is offering two (2) fully funded scholarships for founders of early-stage businesses with a novel business/idea/innovation.

Key dates

Ignition 2026 will run from Saturday 15 August and 17-21 August 2026.
Applications open at 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Scholarship Applications close at 4pm on Thursday 4 June 2026.
Fully funded application close at 4pm on Tuesday 11 June 2026.

Rethinking Business as Usual (Regional Development Australia)

If we want to achieve meaningful gains, we need to discard the everyday settings that are hard-wired in all of us. Revitalise conventional approaches to boost productivity and innovation.
Join for a full-day event designed to challenge traditional approaches. Through practical examples and open minds, you can move beyond ingrained habits and think differently. Don’t miss this opportunity to reignite and revitalise your world.

Spealers include:

Scott Robinson, RDASW
Josh Whiteland, Koomal Dreaming
Charles Jenkinson, RDASW
Tash Teakle, Innovation Cluster
Tony Johansen, TMC
Harold Tracey, H&M Tracey
Scott Bell & Jordan Parker, Capel Marron Farm
Plus others

Site visit: Perth City Farm, engineered for circularity

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, join Engineers Australia for a special site tour at Perth City Farm. This tour offers volunteers the opportunity to explore circular economy principles in action and see how sustainable systems are applied within an urban farming environment.

Perth City Farm is an ideal setting to showcase practical circularity, from composting and soil regeneration to resource reuse and community-led sustainability education. This facility highlights a shared commitment to minimising waste, regenerating natural systems and designing for long-term environmental resilience.

Circular economy thinking aligns closely with Engineers Australia’s focus on sustainable infrastructure, climate‑conscious design, ethical practice and innovation, and reinforces the themes of World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, which recognises the essential role engineers play in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

Cicada x GRDC Agtech Elevate Intensive [online]

Elevate: Turn Innovation into Impact

This agtech focused Elevate is a fully-funded,2-day intensive for researchers, innovators, and early-stage startups ready to explore commercialisation pathways in the grains sector – from soil to seed and everything in between.

Designed specifically for deep tech innovation in agriculture, this workshop is backed by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and includes a supporting e-learning module to keep the momentum going beyond the room.

Across two packed days, you’ll work alongside industry leaders, seasoned entrepreneurs, and commercialisation experts who know what it takes to grow an idea into a venture that’s fundable, scalable, and farmer-ready.

DEADLINE: Cicada x GRDC Stride Program

Achieve traction in the Grains market

Stride is a 6-month coaching program where where you can adapt your deep technology to solve challenges in the grains industry. Experts-in-residence will guide and coach you on the value chain and how to translate and integrate your technology for commercial adoption.

The Stride program is tailored to precisely what you and your team are seeking to achieve in order to have an impact on the Grains market. The program is available online and in-person for Australia-wide based businesses.

Apply before 30 April 2026.

DPIRD 2026 WA Export Roundtable Breakfast Series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s 2026 WA Export Roundtable Breakfast Series is a four‑part program aimed at providing Western Australian businesses with practical, strategic and experience‑led insights into global export environments.

Exclusive to agrifood and beverage businesses, the Roundtables offer a rare opportunity to engage directly with peers and experienced exporters.

Each roundtable builds on the last, so attendees are encouraged to participate in all four sessions.

30 April 2026: Roundtable Breakfast #1—Volatility is the new normal

25 June 2026: Roundtable Breakfast #2—Market selection without regret

20 August 2026: Roundtable Breakfast #3—What breaks first when producers go export-facing

15 October 2026: Roundtable Breakfast #4—Designing resilience without over-diversifying