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Busselton Jetty Networking and Pitch Night

Join an unforgettable evening of connection, discovery, and innovation, featuring scenic views, expert pitches, and exclusive experiences!

Your ticket includes:

  • A scenic Jetty Train journey with an artisan grazing selection and beverage
  • An exclusive guided tour of the Underwater Observatory
  • Canapés and sunset drinks under the Jetty Marquee
  • Dynamic startup pitches and inspiring guest speakers
  • And dessert for your return journey across Geographe Bay

Special guest speaker: Chief Scientist of Western Australia Peter Klinken AC

EmpowerHER Pitch Night: Celebrating Female-Led Innovation

Join us for the EmpowerHER Final Pitch Night, where the 2025 cohort of female founders will take the stage to showcase the businesses they’ve been building throughout the program. From biotech and AI to sustainability and property tech, these entrepreneurs have spent the past several weeks refining their business models, strengthening their investment strategies, and preparing to take their ventures to the next level.

This is your chance to witness the next wave of female-led innovation, connect with investors, mentors, and the startup community, and support women making an impact across diverse industries. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or passionate supporter of women in business, this event is not to be missed.

Be part of the excitement and see which two founders will earn a place in the highly-coveted Plus Eight Accelerator Bootcamp, set to run in April. Tickets are free however registration is required for catering purposes – secure your spot today!

Cicada x Tech23 Online 2025: Meet Australia’s Deep Tech Leaders

Cicada x Tech23 has always been about championing bold ideas and the brilliant minds behind them—and in 2025, we’re taking that spirit on tour.

In the lead-up to Cicada x Tech23 in September, we’re bringing together deep tech innovators, industry trailblazers, and emerging leaders across Australia—to celebrate the people shaping the future. Because innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we dare to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and forge new frontiers together.

At Cicada Innovations, we believe in the power of deep tech to change the world—but change is driven by leaders willing to take risks, visionaries willing to experiment, and communities willing to back them. This online event is your chance to connect, learn, and spark the collaborations that will shape the next wave of Australian deep tech breakthroughs.

Hosted by Sally-Ann Williams, will feature candid conversations with exceptional founders who have navigated the highs and lows of building deep tech ventures—sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and what it takes to drive real impact.

Meet The Panel

DEADLINE: Meshpoints WA Innovation Ecosystem Survey

If you want to drive meaningful change in WA’s Innovation Ecosystem, now’s your chance.

Share your insights anonymously via the WA Innovation Ecosystem Survey and help shape the future for innovators, entrepreneurs, and the broader community. It only takes 5-7 minutes and your feedback will have a lasting impact on the support and resources available for those driving change in WA. Plus, by completing the survey, you’ll go in the draw to win 1 of 5 x $100 VISA
gift cards! Complete the survey here

DEADLINE: WIPO Global Awards 2025

The WIPO Global Awards 2025 competition opened today with a call for applications from startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and university spinouts that use intellectual property (IP) to drive economic growth and improve societies.

Launched in 2022, the Global Awards celebrates enterprises using IP not only for business success, but also as a catalyst for economic and social impact. Winners benefit from exclusive mentoring to enhance their use of IP as a strategic asset—encompassing IP commercialization, fundraising, partnership building, publicity support, and more.

From today, the WIPO Global Awards 2025 is seeking applications from startups, SMEs, university spinouts and other smaller enterprises from across business sectors, including health, environment, creativity, agrifood, and information and communication technology (ICT). The application period ends March 31, 2025.

DEADLINE: ScaleUP WA 2025

ScaleUP WA is designed for established businesses in Western Australia seeking to scale and achieve breakthrough growth. It serves as the central hub for building capability and fostering entrepreneurial development in the region, specifically aimed at accelerating business growth and propelling innovative, growth-focused businesses to new heights.

The program runs annually for 12 weeks. In 2025, ScaleUP WA will cater to small and medium-sized businesses in three (3) key streams: Food and Beverage, Circular Economy, and GreenTech.

ScaleUP WA equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to tackle global challenges and achieve their business objectives. Throughout the program, business owners and operators gain a comprehensive understanding of the capital and finance spectrum, learning how to measure enterprise value while developing and implementing a Market Entry Strategy alongside their Transformation Action Plan.

Applications for the 2025 program open on Friday, February 14, and close on March 31, 2025.

Business After 5 Networking // Vasse

Grab a drink and some nibbles and connect with fellow members of the DYCCI!

We’re delighted to have this month’s BA5 hosted by our friends and members at The SET courtesty of Innovation Cluster! We can’t wait to hear all about their latest developments and meet and mingle with the team!

EVENT DETAILS
  • Thursday 20th February
  • 5.30pm – 7.00pm
  • 1/25 Burler Drive, Vasse
COST
  • FREE event for DYCCI Members
  • $25 for Non-members, friends and plus 1s

Female Founder Festival | Perth | 2025

Follow your entrepreneurial calling, take your business to the next level and get connected at our FREE Female Founder Festival!

Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the water, or well into your business journey, the Female Founder Festival is back in 2025 and has even more on offer.

Valued at $250 a ticket, this event is free to attend. It includes structured networking, panel discussions and an expo of business and government resources to help your business thrive, with incredible panellists who are soon to be announced!

What’s on offer:

  • Structured networking with women entrepreneurs, industry peers and experts in your city.
  • Question time with a brilliant panel of women founders in both the early and later stages of business; hear their lessons and share yours. Panel members to be announced soon!
  • Industry booths on-site with vital resources for female founders
  • A team and info pack on site to give you everything you need to prepare and enter Kickstarter Challenge 2025, a start-up competition where we give away $60K worth of equity-free funding.
  • Free professional headshots to give your brand a boost

Read more of the exciting details and what to expect at the Perth Female Founder Festival!

DEADLINE: Strategic Examination of R&D Consultation

The Australian Government has commissioned a strategic examination of Australia’s research and development (R&D) system.

An independent expert panel leads the examination. They are exploring how Australia can encourage more home-grown ideas, more research, and more translation. This will lead to benefits and prosperity for all Australians for decades to come.

The expert panel has developed this discussion paper to inform and help develop advice.

The panel is considering opportunities in line with the Terms of Reference to:

  • maximise the value of existing investment in R&D
  • strengthen linkages between research and industry
  • support the achievement of national priorities
  • drive greater R&D investment by industry and boost innovation
  • uplift Australia’s overall R&D intensity.

They will also consider:

  • recent and ongoing reviews by Australian governments around our research, innovation and productivity performance
  • First Nations knowledge, knowledge systems and leadership.

They welcome input from anyone with an interest in Australia’s R&D system. Your feedback will inform potential strategies to optimise our R&D system.