Entrepreneurship / Startup / Business – Page 6

DEADLINE: SOUTHSTART 2026 Sponsorships

This opportunity is open to both founders and ecosystem leaders who are actively contributing to WA’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. Meshpoints are interested to hear from individuals and organisations working in:

Innovation and entrepreneurship support
Community and ecosystem building
Impact, policy or research
Investment and capital access
Regional and place-based innovation

Applications from regional WA, First Nations organisations, and women working in innovation and entrepreneurship are strongly encouraged.

To learn more and apply to attend SOUTHSTART 2026 with Meshpoints support, submit your expression of interest here by February 13, 2026.

[webinar] Introduction to the R&D Tax Incentive

Are you new to the Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI) program?

This introductory webinar on Thursday, 5 February will explain how the program works and what benefits it can offer your business.

What is covered:

the application process
how self-assessment works
eligibility of activities and expenditure
the importance of record-keeping to substantiate claims
how to access further support and resources.

Speakers include R&DTI program experts from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

KPMG High Growth Ventures: The Exit Readiness Gap

On Wednesday, 28 January 2026 (10:00AM – 11:00am AEDT), KPMG will launch their KPMG High Growth Venture Exit Readiness Gap Report with a live webinar with key insiders on the topic to open up the conversation and share actionable ways to build towards successful outcomes.

In this session, hear about:

Why exits stay in the shadows: and the ecosystem‑level impact of that silence
Making exit planning a standing agenda item: practical steps across financial, legal, strategic, and governance disciplines
Rebuilding the exit flywheel; how better preparation recycles capital and talent while strengthening resilience, and improving outcomes for founders, teams, investors and the broader ecosystem

You’ll hear real talk from three operators and advisors on their insights and honest advice they wish they’d had sooner, plus a first look into data‑backed insights that reveal where readiness most often breaks down and how to fix it.

Wholesale Investor: Annual Investor Meetup

Catch up with top investors and industry pros in Perth.

Join Steve Torso, Founder and CEO of Wholesale Investor and CapitalHQ, for an evening where he’ll share what he’s observing, reading, and experiencing firsthand – giving you the insights to position yourself ahead of the curve.

This intimate session is designed for sophisticated investors who want to understand where the opportunities are emerging and connect with like=minded investors in their city.

Fields & Fortunes- Regional Business Forum 2026

The Fields and Fortunes Regional Business Forum 2026 is a one-day event bringing together business owners, leaders, innovators and changemakers from across the Great Southern to connect, learn and explore how technology is shaping the next chapter of regional business.

With a strong focus on practical innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, this forum is designed to inspire, inform and equip regional businesses with tools and ideas they can apply immediately. Whether you’re running a small business, leading a team, working in agriculture, industry or services, or planning for future growth, this event will provide real-world insights tailored to regional contexts.

What makes this event special?

A high-calibre speaker lineup led by keynote speaker Julian Moore, one of Australasia’s leading experts in the practical application of AI
Industry experts covering connectivity, green technology, robotics, innovation and creative tech
Local case studies showcasing how technology is already being used successfully in regional businesses
Interactive discussions, networking opportunities and access to trade booths featuring innovative products and services
A welcoming regional setting with catering provided and time built in to connect with peers

Featured Speakers Include:

Julian Moore – Chief AI Consultant, Strategic Membership Solutions (Keynote)
Mat Lewis – Director, Creative Tech Village
Bethany Findlay – Regional Development & Engagement Manager, NBN
Jason McFarlane – Director, WA GreenTech Innovation Hub
Renu Kannu – National Robotics & Innovation Leader – Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (CORE Innovation Hub as Operator)
Plus local business case studies including Burke Perry from BP Imports

Learn more and register here: https://events.humanitix.com/fields-and-fortunes-regional-business-forum-2026

She Built This: Protect your brand – IP Walkthrough

Back by popular demand, join us for a special follow-up session walking you through the actual ins and outs of registering your trade mark and protecting your brand.

Join FW and IP Australia for this highly practical walkthrough to clarify and demystify the process. Basically, we’re here to help you do the hardest bit – actually get started.

This session will cover:

A step-by-step walk through of how to register your trade mark and protect your IP
All the common mistakes and how to avoid them
Live questions from the virtual audience

Whether you’re a new business or you’ve been around the block, it’s never too late to protect yourself. You’ll leave this session with confidence and a clear understanding of what you need to do next to protect your genius.

2026 BioInnovation Festival

The BioInnovation Festival is a five-day celebration of Western Australia’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem, featuring flagship events, regional tours, and partner-led activities.

BioInnovation Festival Conference – 11 March 2026

Connecting innovators, industry, and investors to explore the latest breakthroughs in life sciences. The program features over 50 speakers across keynotes, themed streams, and networking designed to spark collaboration and accelerate commercialisation.

Themes:

• Cross-disciplinary innovation
• Medical & Health
• Agriculture, Aquaculture & Life Sciences
• Commercialisation & Investment Readiness
• Partnerships & Ecosystem Growth

Program Highlights:

Morning keynotes, two focused streams, afternoon sessions, a “meeting of the minds,” and a Networking Sundowner. Optional Networking Dinner in the evening.

Regional Innovation Summit

The 2026 Regional Innovation Summit is bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever.

The 2026 Summit will take place on Friday 13 March and will once again deliver a powerful experience connecting investors, innovators, industry leaders, and government stakeholders with the people and ideas shaping the future of regional innovation.

Hosted at the historic Caves House in one of WA’s most breathtaking coastal destinations Yallingup, this year’s Summit is newly designed as a roundtable-style gathering, bringing together regional and national changemakers for an interactive day of keynotes, panels, networking, and startup pitches.

Keynote Speaker – Tim Jarvis AM

Tim Jarvis AM is an Australian environmental scientist, adventurer, author and filmmaker, best known for recreating some of history’s most dangerous polar expeditions to raise awareness about climate change and environmental conservation. At the Summit, Tim will share powerful lessons from the world’s harshest environments — insights into purpose-driven leadership, navigating uncertainty and aligning innovation with sustainability.

Speakers & Panellists:

This year we’ve taken it to the next level. We’ve built immersive experiences into your day where you can taste wine aged on the seafloor, explore ancient bush medicines and ocean innovation, witness autonomous farm technology in action and experience an immersive art light display where biology, data and creativity collide.

Explore the details

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The Regional Innovation Summit is a BioInnovation Festival Satellite Event, supported by City of Busselton, South West Development Commission through the Innovative Industries of the Future (iiF) program, GreenTech Hub, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification through the CONNECT Sustainable Industries program and nbn® Australia. The Caves House Cleanser Sundowner is brought to you by Creative Tech Village.

2026 40under40 Awards

The 2026 40under40 Awards is Western Australia’s pre-eminent program that recognises and celebrates the state’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and future business leaders under the age of 40.

Each year, one exceptional individual is selected from the 40 winners as the First Amongst Equals.

Business News 2026 Leaders Summit

Building on the success of our renowned Business News Success and Leadership series, the Leaders Summit is designed for senior executives, entrepreneurs, and prominent decision-makers. This premier event will explore the critical challenges, emerging trends, and new opportunities shaping Western Australia’s business landscape.

Running as a half-day event, the summit begins with breakfast, followed by a thoughtfully curated program of keynote addresses, insightful interviews, and dynamic panel discussions featuring some of the state’s most respected leaders.

Don’t miss this exceptional chance to connect with Western Australia’s business community, gain valuable perspectives from leading voices, and strengthen your professional network across Perth’s corporate landscape.