Energy / Renewables – WA Innovation Calendar

DEADLINE: Taronga Group RealTechx Asset Impact Program

This program connects high-impact technology companies with some of the world’s largest owners and operators of real estate and infrastructure assets, creating a direct pathway to pilot and scale solutions across their portfolios.

Previous program participants have collaborated with our partners to deploy a range of technologies, including development software, asset-level hardware, and smart energy, water, and operational solutions. Collectively, these 65+ companies have leveraged the program to secure more than 100+ projects with our program partners and have gone on to raise more than US$1 billion in funding in total.

Following the finalisation of priorities for this year’s program, applications have been extended until the end of May. Priority areas include, but are not limited to:
1. Lowering Embodied Carbon – Low-carbon concrete and other building materials, design and planning for carbon efficiency
2. Energy Efficiency – High performance HVAC and HVAC optimisation, non-HVAC efficiency upgrades, other technologies for energy security and resilience
3. Operational Efficiency – Robotics for self-storage, cleaning and facilities management, plus Al agents for data processing and workflows
4. Capital Efficiency – Modular fit-outs for commercial and retail assets, low-capex efficiency improvements, and energy-as-a-service solutions
5. Tenant Experience – Tenant engagement strategies and revenue optimisation

Deadline extended to 31 May 2026

Climate Tech Charge 2026 Program Showcase [online]

EnergyLab is Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator. This showcase features 8 selected startups from our 2026 Climate Tech Charge Program – EnergyLab’s pre-accelerator program designed to support early-stage founders to build market traction and become investment ready.

Join us to hear high-impact pitches from our founders solving critical challenges in the climate tech space.

Meet the startups:

• Found Power – driving the travel industry away from fossil fuels.

• Air2Energy – turning pollution into power

• Surya – accelerating utility-scale solar construction with tech

• Thermal Dawn – Australian-made thermal storage for heating, cooling & hot water

• ReadySteadyPlug – scalable, equitable and fit-for-purpose EV charging system designed for apartment buildings.

• Square by Square – enabling anyone to own and protect tiny Squares of conservation land.

• Environmental Solar Recycling Australia – end of life solar panel management

• Alpine Energy – EV fast charging

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.

Clean Energy Council: Perth Member Mixer 2026

Join colleagues for an evening of engaging discussion and high-quality networking at the Clean Energy Council’s Perth Member Mixer.

Open to members and non-members alike, this event offers a valuable opportunity to foster collaboration, share knowledge and strengthen connections with peers from across Western Australia’s clean energy industry.

DEADLINE: Clean Energy Council Awards 2026

Recognising leadership, innovation and impact across Australia’s clean energy sector.

The Clean Energy Council Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations driving Australia’s clean energy future.

With a proud history spanning more than a decade, the awards recognise excellence, innovation and impact across the sector, spotlighting those making meaningful contributions to the clean energy transition.

DEADLINE: Director of Curtin Materials Institute

Curtin Materials Institute (CMI): Advancing Materials, Shaping the Future

Curtin University is seeking an exceptional and visionary leader to serve as the inaugural Director of the Curtin Materials Institute. The CMI is a newly-established research institute that captures Curtin’s capability across the breadth of materials research. This is a rare opportunity to build, shape and lead a high-profile institute that consolidates Curtin’s world-class sustainable materials research across advanced manufacturing, green metals and composites, energy systems and battery materials, mineral processing, construction materials and corrosion science.

CMI unites previously distributed strengths across schools, and research centres, creating a cohesive platform that elevates Curtin’s leadership in materials innovation. The Institute serves as a central gateway for industry and government engagement, research funding, and global recognition, with a mission to tackle major industrial, national, and sustainability challenges through both fundamental science and application-driven innovation. The Institute is underpinned by world-class analytical facilities housed within the John de Laeter Centre (https://jdlc.curtin.edu.au).

Sector Briefing: The Future of Energy

Western Australia’s energy sector is entering a new era, building on its strength in LNG and natural gas while rapidly expanding into renewables, hydrogen and critical minerals. Strong investment and new infrastructure are helping position WA as a major force in the global shift to cleaner energy.

Our upcoming Sector Briefing: The Future of Energy, promises to be an engaging event with a keynote from the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA along with engaging panellists to discuss energy during a critical period in WA history.

DeepStart 2026 – Discovery Session

Join us for an online Discovery Session

Learn more about DeepStart, Curtin’s new accelerator for deep tech founders. In this session, we’ll walk through the program, what to expect, key benefits, and how to prepare a strong application. There’ll also be time for Q&A.

Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 12pm–1pm
Venue: Online (Microsoft Teams)

A Teams link will be sent to registered attendees closer to the event.

DEADLINE: DeepStart Accelerator Program

DeepStart is designed for early stage Australian teams building technology solutions grounded in research and scientific innovation.

Eligible teams include:

Researchers developing technologies with commercial potential
Startups commercialising scientific or engineering breakthroughs
Innovative SMEs developing technology-enabled business models

Technology areas supported include, but are not limited to:

Critical minerals and processing technologies
Energy systems and transition technologies
Resource and mining technologies
Advanced manufacturing and enabling deep technologies
AI-enabled productivity tools

Backed by the RTCM Trailblazer, with supporting funding from Melt Ventures, DeepStart offers one of the largest pools of early-stage accelerator funding in Australia, alongside direct access to national and international pathways through partners Cicada Innovations and Greentown Labs.

DeepStart will run from Thursday, 30 July to Thursday, 8 October, with six fortnightly sessions held on Thursday afternoons, delivered in person in Perth and online for interstate teams. The program concludes with the DeepStart Industry & Investor Showcase on Tuesday, 20 October.

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.