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Tag: Education / STEM / Students

DEADLINE: Cooperative Research Australia Excellence in Innovation Awards

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

Collaborate Innovate 2026

Cooperative Research Australia (CRA) is excited to be running its annual conference once again in 2026.

The 2026 conference will bring together this industry-research community to explore the theme, National Growth, Global Reach.

Join hundreds of other likeminded attendees in addressing critical matters surrounding research translation, utilisation and commercialisation, and innovation and industrial transformation, and be part of a collaboration that seeks to drive Australia’s prosperity.

Learn more and register

 

Student Startup Weekend 2026

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

 

Founder Open House | Venture UWA

Drop in to get expert advice from Venture UWA Entrepreneur in Residence – Charlie Gunningham & Student Entrepreneur in Residence – Nathan Wipane, and start the journey to bring that idea to life, or grow that business you have been working on.

This event is for any UWA student or alumni seeking advice, supporting you to turn that idea into reality or take the next steps in your business development! Or just come and hang out in our co-working space and see what startup life is all about!

Bloom: Home Cooked to Household Name

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating big dreams, bold moves, and seriously good cookies.

Join Nadia Nesevski, founder of Cookie Loaded, as she shares how she turned a home-baked idea into a cookie empire. What started in her kitchen became a brand people line up for – and she’s spilling the real tea (and crumbs) on how she made it happen.

From late nights and leap-of-faith moments to scaling, branding, and building a cult-like following, Nadia will take you behind the scenes of growing Cookie Loaded into a household name – the wins, the setbacks, the risks, and the resilience it took to back herself all the way.

Bloom: Ads Masterclass

Running ads and hearing crickets hurts. Boosting posts is not a strategy, and guessing your audience is expensive.

This masterclass is about creating ads that connect, convert, and do not feel cringe. We will break down how to match message to audience, choose the right platform, create scroll stopping content, and test ads without burning cash. You will also learn which metrics actually matter and when to stop, tweak, or scale.

Practical, honest, and built for real world founders who want results, not just impressions.

CORE Innovation Hub Community Coffee

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.

What Investors Want: Capital Raising in 2026

What are investors looking for in 2026? 

​The bar for capital raising has never been higher. With greater competition, and AI making timelines from MVP to market much faster, the funding landscape for 2026 looks very different from even a few years ago. For funding, this means increased selectivity, heightened due diligence and a focus on clear pathways to revenue, adding new pressure for founders.

​So what do founders need to know? And what do investors really want? Join us online this February 23rd as we pick the brains of two investors and a KPMG specialist to unpack what they’re looking for in 2026.

​This session is designed to give founders the insights and practical actions they need to prepare for the funding environment in the year ahead.

​You’ll hear from:

  • ​Andrew Poesaste, Partner at Rampersand

  • ​Justine Carzino, Investment Principal at OneVentures

  • ​Sarah Josey, KPMG Partner who has helped early‑stage startups raise with confidence on what she’s hearing on the ground 

DEADLINE: Curtinnovation Awards 2026

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.